Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-24
LO7SOF LAWYERS LINGO
Judge Westfal Almost Repents OF
HIS Invitation
TO DISCUSS TIE COsSPIRlTORS' BAIL
But swears tt Through aud Gess Many
Pointers - Dsisartsan Donaldson
Throws Himself - Westfall
Comes Down One-hsaf.

In the police court yesterday after
noon the capacity Of the room was
tested 10 il. utmost. There was jam
outside before the doors were opened.
and as soon as they had been unlocked
every seat was filled. Inside the rail-
ing there was swarm OF attorneys,
who are directly or indirectly interested
IN the cases up for examination. The
conspiracy muddle attracted all the at
tsntion, and the afternoon was given
up by Judge NestfaIl, for the purpose
Of allowing all the lawyers who
have clients among the arrested
men TO argue the question OF
bail, so that he might have a
better understanding of what proper
sum would be. This was done on the
recommendation of Assistant Prosecu-
tor McGarry at the morning session,
who announced that il il met with the
approval of the attorneys concerned he
would suggest that the court discharge
the respondents on the separate charges
which had been lodged against them,
and nave them all re-arrested under
one complaint. There was no ayernon
To this procedure manifested, and an
argument ensued relative TO the
amount Of bonds which should be filed
for the due appearance of each prisoner.
Mr.. McGarry thought that $1,000 was
excessive, and intlmated as much to
the court. Upon this Judge Westfall
! determined TO assemble all OF the repre-
sentative attorneys before him and bear
what they had to say about the matter
Accordingly at 8 o'clocP about twelve
lawyers put III an appearance. Prose-
cutting Attorney McGarry opened the
discussion by saying that the boys ar
rested were
Before the Bar Of Justice
for the first time in their life; were work
lngmen and comparatively poor, there
| fore he would state that he thought
$1,000 would be sufficient to hold all the
prisoners. Lawyer Fairfield spoke about
the nature Of the offense and said that
the court could not fix the bail higher
than the penalty 10 be imposed, pro-
vidlng the defendants were found
| guilty. He cited the law in several
cases to show the force of his argument,
one III particular, covering the crime of
arson, and attempted arson. Where a
building had been set fire to and
burned, the statute provided punish
m-nt of fifteen years in the peniten-
tiary or $1,000 fine, and not less than
one year in the county Jail. Where the
attempt had been made and was frus-
trated the penalty was one year in the
state PRISON or 5000. Mr.. Fairfield
argued that there was no necessity of
placing the bond higher than $500, as
the crimes with which the prisoners
were charged would not permit of more
severe punishment. Mr.. Rodgers, one
of the attorneys, thought $500 would be
about right, but that in no sense should
the bond exceed $500. George Bundy
was OF the same opinion so far as ne
was concerned, and said he would abide
by the decision of the court, but that
he was inclined to believe that anything
over $500 would be too much.
Mr.. Mcbride cited the fact that
during the past week two" men
had been brought into court,
one on the charge of perjury and the
other tor embezzlement. In the first
where the extreme penalty is fifteen
years in State prison the court had filed
a bond of $1,000. In the second when
| S5i.54 was the amount involved, the
| person had been given his liberty after
| furnishing bond of $500, when the
| punishment that could be inflicted wa s
| five years IN the penitentiary. In the
| cases under discussion the extent of the
law was two years imprisonment or
| 5000 fine. lie thought in none of the
cases the full penalty would be meted
out to the boys, and wound up by say
ing that Judge Westfall would be doing
his duty If he placed the bond Ct $500,
but not over 5000.
The Invincibie Donaldscn
| addressed the court at some length
| lie felt sure that the court would not
| Tor moment entertain the intention of
| putting the bond above 800. In sup
| port OF his petition he delivered himself
| of considerable Fourth of July elo-
| quence and numerous Delsartean ges-
lures, which, for fiowery expression and
| poetry OF motion were not ecllpsed by
any OF the barristers present. This ora
| torlcal outburst was marked by n rapid
rush for the door. At times the face
of Judge WestfalI was IN emminent
| danger of conflict with Donald
sons fist, which was occasionally
shaken IN threatening manner. But
Donaldson is all right and knows the
law. After similar remarks by other
attorneys, Judge Westfall said that he
would act in accordance with the re-
quest Of the assistant prosecutor and
reduce the bail bonds, but that az he
had no evidence before him TO show
VINO was most guilty, he would treat
them all alike and place the amount at
$1,000 IN each case. He also said that
there Was n possibility that on giving
the question further consideration he
might reduce the sum still lower.
Friday morning next is the day set for
| the examination of the eonspirators.