Los Angeles herald., 1890-07-20
AGAIN ARRESTED.
James M. Damron Charged With An
other Forgery.

other Forgery.
At l O'Clock yesterday afternoon As
semblyman j. M. Damron was arrested
at his office in the Law building, by Off
Ger Sanchez, for the third time on the
charge of forgery, and was taken up into
the ante-room of Justice Austin's court,
where he remained until court convened
for the afternoon session, half an hour
later.
Justice Austin having taken his seat
ON the bench, Mr.. Damron, who had been
sitting in the dock, rose, and addressing
the court, said that he was not attempt
ing to avoid the process of the law, and
had no intention of doing so. Since
these charges had been made against
him, however, he had been treated with
Indifference by those who, though they
might not believe him guilty
of the offense of which he
was accused, had apparently lost
confidence in him. These charges had
disarmed him before great many of his
friends who might have stood by him
under different circumstances, and as he
|
for examination, he asked the court to
fixing the amount of bail in this case.
Under the existing condition of things
he would ask the court to make the
bond as light as possible. He did not
think it was the disposition of the
district attorney that he should go
to jail; and for his part he had no dis
position to avoid prosecution, but rather
wanted to meet the charges. There had
been already too much of a vindictive
spirit evinced behind the matter, but he
was willing to face the charges, and all
he asked was to be dealt with fairly.
Many people would not have stood as
bravely in the face of as much as he
had but he was here to stay.
At the close of Mr.. Damron's speech
the court arraigned him upon the charge
of forgery preferred against him by w.
M. Sheldon, who alleged in his COM
plant that Damron forged the name of
Hervey Lindley to a promissory note
for $3.50, dated June 7th last, and bear
ing interest at one per cent per month,
payable in sixty days, which he negoti-
ated at the Office of the California Loan
and Trust Company, in the Phillips
block, and on which $50 had been paid
on Thursday, and 800 more on Friday
last. After being informed Of
his legal rights in the prem
ises, the defendant asked that the
case be set for examination
on the day Immediately following the
other cases, as he wished to dispose of
the whole matter as soon as possible.
The court informed him that his calen-
dar was very crowded, but finally set the
case for examination at 3 O'Clock on
Tuesday afternoon next. Deputy Dis
trict Attorney Hardesty not being pres
ent, Justice Austin deferred fixing the
amount OF bail until the arrival of that
gentleman, who was summoned by tele
phone, the defendant meanwhile being
accommodated with seat in the ante
room.
After slight delay Mr.. Hardesty ar
rived, almost Immediately followed by
Mr.. G. G. Stephens, who announced,
after brief consultation with the de-
fendant, that he had volunteered to
assist Mr.. Damron. The court then
asked the defendant to make his state
ment regarding the fixing of bail for the
benefit of the district attorney. Mr..
Damron again rose and said that these
charges were of such a nature as to in
bly,. He could not now expect, nor did
it's officers were his friends, and ask for
credit that he might furnish bail.
A few days ago he thought he could
count his friends by the hundreds, but he
had sinces these charges had been pre-
| ferred found a change. He then reiter-
ated his plea for light bond, asserting
that if 10000 such charges were piled up
against him he would still stand up and
meet them. All he asked was that he
might be allowed his liberty, all he had
left, pending his examination.
Mr.. Hardesty in replying, said that
the state did not desire anything else
than that the defendant should be fairly
dealt with. The defendant had no right,
however, to expect favors, nor
to hope for more leniency
than any other prisoner charged with
the same offense. AS it was now, the
amount of bail, 1000 on each of the
other cases, was inadequately low. In
view of the facts, which were still accu-
mulating, this was very serious case
for Mr.. Damron, and the fact that he
was prominent figure in the commu-
nifty was no excuse for him to come into
court and ask for leniency in the matter
of bail. He therefore considered that
50, 900 was little enough and would ask
the court to fix the bond at that amount,
and though he did not want to see the
defendant go to Jail he asked that he be
held in custody until his bondsmen JUS
tify, one of them, Mr.. j. M. Brooks,
having fatty refused to do so.
The defendants attorney then ad-
dressed the court at some length, and
referred to newspaper article which he
had read, and which he stated had been
written for the purpose of influencing
the court and piling more dirt upon
Damron. He stated that it would be an
impossibility for Damron to get away if
he wanted to, as the powers
behind the prosecution had money
enough to bring him back to JUS
tice. even if he got within 100
miles of the north pole. If Damron
wanted to defeat the ends of justice, a
single drop of strychnine on the point Of
a knife blade would free him. Mr..
Hardesty, interrupting him, said that he
was not afraid of that. Mr.. Stephens
asked, "Why not? Death is preferable
to dishonorp' "Not with some men,"
retorted Mr.. Hardesty. Mr.. Stephens
continuing, referred to Damron's ties,
and alluding to Mr.. Hardesty's attitude
in the matter, stated that he was in
fluenced by the newspapers and public
opinion. He suggested that the bond