The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-04-21
OUT IN THE COLD.
Judge Carpenter Refuses to Per.
mt Ben Butler to Practice
in HIS Court.


Yesterday was forbidden to address
the court. The scene was remarkable
and was the outcome of a series o.
sensations connected with the trial o.
Mrs. Claretta E. johnson for perjury
At the outset, Gen. Butler announced
that this would be his last crimina
case. He has fought every inch Of
the way as determinedly as he ever
fought any battle. Yesterday he was
deposed by the court, and the prisoner
was informed by Judge Carpenter
that she must secure other counsel.
Before the opening of the court yes.
terday morning, minors had been
current that something out of the
usual line would happen. The court
room was crowded, and those in the
audience kept their eyes in the d.
rection of the entrance, watching for
the arrival of Gen. Butler. He en-.
tered the court room in company
with his partner, Premise Webster.
He wore his accustomed bou.onniere,
this time a carnation pink. As he ap-
preached the bar in front of the bench
he bowed in salutation of tie Count,
but obtained no recognition in res
ponse. A moment afterward Mrs.
johnson entered the door, supported
by one of the court officers, and was
escorted to q seat out side the dock.
She was very pale, and on each cheek
there was crimson spot, As soon as
she was seated Gen. Butler arose, ap-
preached the bench, and with his ell
bow resting on the clerk s desk, bowed
again, and began:
"May it please your honor"
He was permitted to 60 further
in his address, Judge Carpenter
looked directly into the Generals
eyes, and, interruptipg, said quietly
but distinctly:
"You are forbidden to address me
on any subject, Mr.. Butler"
Gen. Butler, wi bout suggestion of
chagrin or surprise, attempted to con-
tinue. 81 have a motion ="
Judge Carpenter, without any
trace OF agitation and in equally mild
ness of tone, replied {: "You can file
it."
Gen. Butler, I have already filed
it with the clerk.
Judge Carpenter. Very we'll.
You can not be allowed to address
me at any time.
Gen. Butler, glancing in the d.
rection of the Judge and then to the
Clerk. Mrs. johnson is here in court
in her own proper person files this
motion in arrest of judgement. You
can do what you please with it.
Gen. Butler then passed the docu-
ment to the clerk and slowly retired
toward the rear Of the room. The
Judge took no further notice of him.
The General then sat down, pulled
cigar out of his pocket and began to
chew one end of it, now and then tax
ing it out and clinching his teeth
firmly as he looked about the court
room. Then he walked back and
forth in front of the bench three or
four times, while the Judge and the
district attorney consulted. The
sentence of the prisoner was deferred
on account of this unexpected Incl
dent. 10 order that she might obtain
new counsel.
THE GENERAL HIGHLY INDIGNANT.
Gen. Butler with difficulty restrain
ed angry words when asked if he had
anything to say about Judge Carpen-
ters action. He said:
"T have something to say, but re-
member | don't say it in the court. |
say that his action is like the ill-bred.
discourteous judge that be is. say
that. He thought he was going to
sentence the prisoner, but he did not
do il. | shall carry the matter fur
ther, into the proper courts"
81 attended the court this morning,
at the hour named, and when there
seemed to be no further business be-
fore the court, my client being pres
ent, and the hour at which the case
should have come up having arrived,
I arose calmly and respectfully and
said May it please your Honor, |
have motion -.
I" Stop, Mr.. Butler be said, with
great heat, and turning very pale.
Stop, Mr.. Butler you can't address
the court on any subject ; you are not
permitted to address me on any SUBJ
iect.' I repeated, Il have a motion
of nv client, Mrs. johnson, in arrest
of judgment, which desire to file.'
'sFile anything you please, SIR"
"It is already filed in the clerks
Office. [ have the duplicate of it to
submit to your honor, and | don't
care what your homer does with it. l