The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-16
A STARTLING STATEMENT.
The Wall Street Gang Trying to Bride
Fellows.

New York Special 10 the st. Louis Republican.
Lawyers and politicians who profess TO
have reasons for their talk predict that the
charges against Jay Gould and Russell
Sage for the larceny of Denver Pacific
bonds will be brought to the attention Of
the grand-jury at once. District Attorney
Fellows, they intimate, said this much be-
fore he left New York for Washington on
Saturday, and an official statement from
the district-attorney's Office, say these
same takers is due tomorrow. Whether
these assurances are by the book or simply
prophecies of ready guessers Is not certain
enough TO be decided oif-hand, for District
Attorney Fellows is not the sort OF man
whose actions can DO told to certainty
very far in advance. But one fact has
come TO light within day or two that
warrants the expectation that the officers
OF the law will not DISMISS
the charges against the accused
millionaires without some sort OF pub
law, according 20 themselves, need such n
attorney himself declares that he has been
approached by men having an interest in
the case. lie has been asked how 'somo-
thing nice" can be donefor him. Ordinary
people may be astounded at this revela-
zion, but II comes from those who can
quote the districtattorney officially.
There has been criticism in some quar-
ters over the action OF the district-atlor-
ney's Office in holding secret conference
to hear the arguments OF lawyers in favor
Of Gould and Sage and against them.
Many people thought this smacked some
thing OF hidden processes; they could see
no reason why the public should DO barred
from a hearing OF 50 much interest. But
say the people, speaking for the district
attorney, one Of the motives, and perhaps
the controlling motive, actuating Mr.. Fell
lows In the matter was that he had a live
interest intensified by the practical prolTer
to him Of a bride, and he thought II well
TO make no display Of his feelings in pub
lie, prior 10 an indictment, In advance Of q
presentation to jury.
When the attorneys for Mr.. Gould and
Mr.. Sage had stated their grounds for
holding that no trial was warranted and
even had there been the oiiense OF "mis-
appropriation" the statute OF limitation
stood rs bar to prosecution. and after the
attorneys for tho aggrieyed bondhcldes
had urged what they declared 10 be the
need OF criminal suit, District Attorney
Fellows spoke regarding the case rs he
understood II, though hardly becoming
more explicit as 10 his future course than
TO say thata decision could be reached
soon. Is tother than this the latter made
some brief remarks that had sensation
in them. 81 have been astonished," he
said in substance, AT the public interest
in this case: can hardly walk block
anywhere nthc city without being stopped
by somebody who wants 10 know
what thinlyof this case and what Is going
TO be done about H. And I have been
approached by men evidently bent on an
effort 10 influence me. They have sug-
gcsted that l should be careful. Some OF
them have even gone NO far as TO intimate
that II ] would act agreeably 10 their views
Of the case they could arrange pleasant
things for me. They knew where action
would be appreciated"
The authority quoting the dstric-atttor-
ney says that such. In substance, were the
remarks Of Mr.. Fellows 20 lawyers repre-
senting both sides. lie does not otter il
as a rendering literally OF tho text OF the
officers speech, but insists that II Is in n
spirit absolutely District Attorney
Fellows having absolutely siriven 10 i'm.
pose upon his auditors that he fully UNI
dcnsiood that he had been approached by
would-be bribcn, and that he not only
understood II, but resented II, for, goes
on this authohty's story, "Mr. Fellows
spoke Of the matter with decided show
OF spirit" From the same source comes
tho assertion that the district-aitorney
feels that he has been publicly attacked
by the Gould-Sagc choice OF n professional
politician 10 advocate their cause before
him, rather than one Of their fellow law
ycrs. MIR. Fellows does not like 10 hear
the intimation that Bourko Cochran gets a
retainer TO addnss him. for the reason
that Cocknn has political pull"