Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29
TESTIMONY IS ALL IN.
The Porter Conspiracy to be Finally
Argued Next Monday.
A SOUIRE'S SUSPENDED SENTENCE
Some VerY Queer Things We're Brought
to Light Yesterday.
THE SEPTEMBER TERM STATISTICS.

in the conspiracy case Of Alderman Porter
and his officers, and all that remains to be
done is the arguments of counsel on both
sides. which will begin tomorrow morning.
When the case was resumed yesterday morn
ing Alderman Porter was continued on the
stand He could not reeollect the cases
wherein he had collected costs. He was
willing to give that information, but it
would require considerable time. He keeps
record of all his cases in his Office, and in
the past two months eof them were miss
ing. The police make his Office their night
quarters, but he would not intimate they
were responsible for their disappearance.
He had received forfeit money from the
Gilbert girls, but thought ne had paid it to
the city.
John f. Edmundson, Esq, the attorney
for Taggart and Boehm, testified that his
clients were dismissed in the suit against
them before Porter. The only witnesses
were the prosecutors, and no evidence was
produced. Mr.. Edmundson paid the costs
about $30-because he thought 1t would
prevent another suit being entered.
Constable Packer was the next witness,
and testified that he had been living in the
Fifteenth ward for 20 years, and had served
as the ward Constable, not as one of the
detective agency. He had not made any of
the informations, and had never had an
agreement with the defendants about BRING
ing suits for the purpose of extortion.
THE FAMOUS CARNEY APPEARS.
Thomas Carney, the colored constable.
testified that he had made but half dozen
arrests, and had never made any informa-
tious. He only got the costs due him, moth
ing more. These were paid him, sometimes
bv the Alderman, his clerk, Desc, or by
Sheppard. He had no agreement with them
to enter any suits, but he was told by Porter
be would get percentage on all cases he
brought in and it might prove big thing,
perhaps 81, 800 year. Between Christmas
and June he had not been able to get any
cases. He received some money from the
Taggart and Boehm cases, the Alderman
telling him the cases had been settled. In
the case against Charles Preston he had re-
ceived 81 for subpenaing witnesses He had
been told by Packer that the case against
Carrie Winfield had been settled.
Mr.. O'Donhell objected to this testimony,
but Judge Slagle overruled it, and Mr..
Marshall said it was queer ruling. Judge
Slagle said he had decided the same way in
similar objections and would be consistent;
if he were wrong, he would be wrong all
through.
The witness then continued, and said he
had received $33 from Mrs. Lies and turned
it over to Sheppard, who gave receipt for
it. Witness had received 81 30 for getting
witnesses.
A CONSTABLE MAKES DENIALS.
Elijah Sheppard testified that he was
deputy constable, acting under authGrity
from the Court and Constable Packer. He
was asked to recollect long list of cases.
He answered emphatically in the negative
that he had said himself and Porter
had started the agency, and denied ever
agreeing with Porter and Packer to en-
ter suits for the purpose of extortion.
He denied having accepted money in any
case. Mrs. Cordell had given him SO to
deliver to the prosecutor, and the $33 of
Milly Washington constituted her fine and
costs.
Jacob Wagner had been with some friends
in Miss Arthur's house, on Second avenue,
and was a witness in her case, but did not
know anything OF how it was settled.
The defense at this point offered in evil
dence package of Informations in num-
Der of cases in dispute during the trial. Dis
trict Attorney Porter claimed the right to
examine them for the purpose of cross-exam-
ination. This occupied nearly an hours
time, during which Alderman Porter took
the stand and answered as to certain indorse-
ments on them. That OF Rachel Lies, the
Squire said, showed no charges that should
! not have been made. Thatsof Mrs. Nina
man, the fortune teller, was all right in the
witness estimation.
A VERY QUEER oUAsHING.
The prosecutor had withdrawn the suit
and paid the costs, though the defendant
had pleaded guilty. The Alderman's costs
were stricken of. District Attorney Porter
asked Alderman Porter when he was given
authority to suspend sentence in any case.
The Alderman said he could not find it in
his heart to take his costs from her, that she
was a very poor woman.
Mr.. Porter, after answering some other
questions as to when the records as offered
had been written up, was allowed to retire.
Assistant Controller Eckley was put on
the stand to show that the 400 and odd
transcripts that had been sent to the Con-
troller's Office from Porter's Office, were
correct In every particular, and would show
the correct charges allowed for all fees.
Mr.. O'Donnell objected to the matter and
said it would not show anything. Mr..
Porter said it would show the great amount
of money Alderman Porter had collected.
Mr.. O'Donnell objected and began his
objection. 81 think" when Judge Slagle
told him the Court could take care of itself.
andwogld consider his objection if he made
clear his reason. Mr. Eckley was then
dismissed, as Judge Slagle ruled that the
great mass authorizations were not disputed
by either side or called into the case at all.
The case rested here and court adjourned
until tomorrow, when arguments will be
made.