The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-04-01
THH REGISTER SCORED
In the U, S, Count by one Of the
Jurors on Saturday.
ITS UNJUST STRUCTURES
On the Myers Jury andits UnfairneSs
in General Denounced by COL
o'Brien-Gen. Watts Bids the
Court AdIeu-The End.

The occurrences in the U, s, Court in
the session Of Saturday forenoon we're
the talk OF the town Saturday afternoon
and yesterday, Col, Thomas o'Brien,
who has been foreman Of most OF the
iurIes In election cases, took occasion to
respond to some structures upon the
iuriss, particularly that In the Myers
case. There were several other interest
ing features, In accordance with the
notice served on the District Attorney
and the jury Friday, Judge Jackson
tried one alleged illegal voter and the
other cases were postponed, The case
heard was that Of Charles H, Trainer, OF
the First ward, whose trial occupied but
q short time, and who was found not
guilty by the jury. :,
The case OF George B. Hale, who plead
guilty 10 illegal voting and perjury, was
called up for sentence, District Attor-
ney Watts said 1t was true the prisoner
was guilty, but other men equally guilty
had been acquitted by the jury at this
term. Judge Jackson sentenced him 70
three months Imprisonment in the
county jail, and RENTED the fine. This
was very lenient, In passing sentence
Judge jackson made some feeling and
appropriate remarks. Hale Was Visibly
Affected, shedding tears while the Court
was speaking,
A JUROR TAKES THE FLOOR.
Hon. 6. W. Atkinson, OF counsel for
the defendants in the election cases,
saida member OF the Jury desired leave
10 make a statement In defense Of the
jurles. Judge jackson said something
not audible through the court room, but
10 the effect that he did not careito hear
any statement. While he was still talk
Ing, Col. Thomas 0'Brien arose and adj
dressed the court:
"If your honor please said he, u
merely desire TO say a few words in ref
erence to the statements sent broadcast
by an infamous sheet OF this city mean
ing the Regster], which reflect upon me
and upon other members OF this jury,
and misrepresent our action in the jury
ROOM"
Tho Court livery sternlyl-"stop right
there, Colonel O'Brien. This court will
not allow one word to be divulged here
OF what occurred In the jury room. II
this court took coguizanCe OF all that APP
pears in the newspapers, It's whole time
would be taken up trying editors and re-
porters." :,
Col. O'Bhen-"I only desired to call
your honor's attention toa lying state
ment made by that vile paper, and l am
all the more anxious TO make this de-
tense against that villainous sheets
SANDER, since Gen. Watts, in his re
marks upon the Hale case, seemed to
have taken occasion to hit the jury a
parting slap"
Gen. Watts, interrupting-"In what
have said this morning, or heretofore,
| had no desire to impugn the motives OF
any juror. l have always tried to treat
the Jury with respect. IT Is true that
they'have differed with me as To the
guilt Of persons tried in this court, but
| do not now, nor have l ever, In or out
OF court, questioned their conscientious
action. While they exercised their
Judgment, l also exercised mine. My
only motive In stating my Judgment us
TO the guilt OF others than Hale, was to
indicate my view that Hale should be
dealt with leniently.n
The Court, addressing Mr.. Atkinson
"Now, just see what you have stirred
up"
Mr.. Atkinson-"I merely asked, at the
request Of q Juror, that he be allowed to
make a statement. So far Us General
Watts's course in these cases is concern
cd, / desire TO express the opinion that
In the Cases on which he and l have
been opposed TO each other, he has been
eminently fair and courteous"
THE TALsElooD CORRECTED.
Colonel O'BrIen-"I think 1t incum-
bent upon me, your honor, TO disclaim
any desireto reflect upon General Watts,
There Is no man Id either party for
whom | have q higher regard, person.
ally. But his remark will, lit Is allowed
to 90 uncorreCted, be seized upon, as
have former remarks In this court, by
this infamous journal on Market street,
To spread broadcast through the city and
the State a false and Injurious impress.
sion. That paper intimated last week
that the jury In the case Of the boy,
William Myers, OF Wetzell county, had
come into court prepared TO render o
verdict Of guilty Il It could make a com.
pact with your honor as 10 his punish.
ment. That statement Ia untrue. The
fact Is the proposition as to the punish.
ment came from but one member OF the
Jury, and was di%sapproved with empha.
sis by others, and when the Jurors came
into court upon your honOr's invitation
and were asked II they had agreed upon
q verdict, their position was with q
trining exception the same rs when
they came in five minutes later and rem.
dered a verdict Of not guilty."
The Court-"Now you have your
statement In, ! hope you are satisfied.
l have no doubt the skies will DO bluer
and the air purer."
GooD.BYEs sAID.
General Watts took farewell Of the
court In q graceful and feeling speech.
He announced that lie would In all
probability not appear before the court
again In an official capacity, and he
took the occasion to thank the court for
It's kindness and courtesy, and for yalp-
able assistance given him In tho dis.
charge Of his duties. Helsaid he had at
all times endeayored 10 perform his duty
In q conscientious, honest manner. He
also thanked the jury for their patience
and courtesy.
Judge Jackson remarked that the no.
latiOns between the court and the Dis.
triCt Attorney had always been Of a
pleasant character, and he was glad 10
DO able to say that Mr., Watts had dis.
nhnnnnh hin hIillnn with nhiliLu and IhnI