The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-08
CONKLING DID NOT WEAKEN.
An Exciting Episode During the Hear
ing in the Telephone Patent Case.
From the Nei0 York World.

From the Ne,c York World.
WASHINGTON, Feb 4-The argument for
a re-opening of the telephone controversy
upon the petition of James w. McDonough
was continued before the Commissioner of
Patents to-day The hearing room was
crowded by people curious to see and hear
the noted lawyers who have been retained
on both sides of the case In a wide window
recess sat ex-senator Conkling, Mr.. j. j.
Storrow, associate counsel, at his side, and
directly opposite the portly figure of Col
Bob Ingersoll filling big armchair. Frank
Hurd sat opposite Commissioner Hall. Both
Senator Conkling and.Col. Ingerson were in
fine spirits this morning. they laughed
and joked with each other and snapped
stories while Frank Hurd returned to his
hotel for the notes he had forgotten.
That little inadverdence is only job
put up by my pious friend Bob Ingersoll,"
Senator Conkling explained to the other at
tOrneys, Ito keep Iae here another week"
The Senator is anxious to get away.
Casey Young, who manages to get mixed
up in nearly every telephone case, from the
Pan Electric, in which he achieved special
distinction, to the present controversy,
turned up early in the day. He represents
Prof. Gray, who also claims priority of in
vention in speaking telephones. His asso-
ciate is a Mr.. Knight, who has not yet ap-
peared. Prof. Gray, as we'll as the rest of
the alleged inventors of the telephone, must
come forward during the present suit and
become party thereto, ''or forever after
hold their peace" Mr.. Knight was excused
from attendance yesterday on the statement
made by Casey Young that he could not be
present.
Presenting on Mr.. Conkling's very eN ident
good humor, Casey Young again attempted
to postpone knights appearance. Mr..
Conkling's sunShiny smile at one disappear
ed and an ominous frown gathered III It's
place. Shaking bunch of kilograms in his
hand, he exclaimed: II object. Since yes
terday's meeting | have made inquiries and
found that these averments as to the neces-
sity for Mr.. Knights absence are absolutely
false"
Casey Young's swarthy face paled per-
ceptibly. "Do you mean to say" said he,
that have told an untruthF"
81 mean exactly what I have said" re-
piled Mr.. Conkling, his blue eyes swapping
dangerously. "If the shoe fits you, Mr..
Young. don't hesitate a moment about
putting it on. But let me say to you, sir,
that if you expect to induce me to withdraw
statement by putting the question to me
in that fashion you will discover that you
have stirred up the wrong man."
Casey Young cast glance of consterna-
ton around him and then subsidized COM
pletely, while Col. Ingersoll's fat sides shook
with laughter. Frank Hurd, who continued
his argument in support of McDonough's
petition, described the nature of his clients
claim to priority of invention. The Patent
Office, he asserted had never denied that
McDonough was the first inventor of the
receiver, but had refused him patent on
the ground that speech could not be trans
mitted by the ''make and break" current,
the method described in McDonough's
specification. All he asked, he declared,
was for the Commissioner to reopen the
case and give them chance to prove that
their system was thoroughly practicable
''This case" said he, las viii show, is with
out parallel as a record of broken pledges,
mutilated documents, false witnesses, I'm
faithful attorneys, bribed officers and
tempted courtsn