Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-11-14
FOR CRIMINAL LIBEL.
The Trial Of the Publishers OF the
Maryland Republican.
-. ROM US. RTDGELrN MELTIv.

Messrs Ridgely and Melvin. publishers
OF the Maryland Republican, charged
with criminal libel by General Frank A.
Bond, ex-superintendent of the House OF
Correction, and one OF the return judges
OF election, was continued before Judge
Jones.
Judge Chas b. Roberts. who was
member of the House of Correction
board when General Bond was superin-
tendent, testified 1t was on his motion
that an investigation was made of the
affairs Of the institution. Judge
Roberts was asked why the investiga-
ton was asked for, and whether II was
in consequence Of the report Of the COM
mittee that General Bond resigned. To
both of these questions objection was
raised by State and exceptions noted by
defence.
Thos III. Hunt-testified, that Il was
not customary for the superintendent TO
sell anything without the authority of
the Board; did not remember whether he
had authority or not; did not rememie r
whether he signed the report or not; he
did not know where the report was The
State objected TO counsel putting words
In the prisoners mouth AS he was doing.
Mr.. Hunt said If the Court would allow
him tc go on he would explain the ques-
ton the best he could. The State objec-
ted and the Court sustained the objec
| ton.
Judge Magruder, counsel for the da-
Tense, read from the rules and regnla-
tons governing the managers of the
House OF Correction, to show that SUI
| perintendent had no authority TO buy or
sell any articles without special order of
the Board. and that a special committee
was appointed for this purpose
DIR Donovan, one of the officials of
the Board of House of Correction at the
time was the next witness put upon the
stand by the State In rebuttal who stated
there was an investigation by the Board
of Managers in 1885 in regard to some
Irregularities; he remembered the inves
| tigation committee; did not remember
what meeting he attended; he remember
cd that the investigation was general
one; didn't remember who was present;
that he was present; Gen Bond asked
for an investigation; he said the COW that
Gen. Bond sold was valued at $50; that
it did not pay to carry her through
the winter; that persons after
killed their calves or gave them away
when when the milk was needed. The
State raised several objections to ques-
tions propounded by the defense's coun-
sci Mr.. Findlay, caunsel for the ira
verser, said he desired to show by his
question that Gen. Bond and his assis-
tant left the institution weeks at time
and the keys were in the hands of a
prisoner, and that there might have
been a general Jail delivery; and that
one of the prisoners was so dashed upon
the back as to require the surgeon to sew
up the wounds; that these lashes were
given with the "cat" which had five
tails, and that four ticks from this "cat'
was equal to twenty lashes from the
cowhide. and that this was the reason
that the mans back was so lacerated;
and that he expected to prove these
things by this witness and others. This
statement of Mr.. Findlay's was made
under exceptions by the State
The witness said he desired to make
personal explanation to the Court and
Jury, which he thought was due to
himself and HIS coassociates, some of
whom were in the court room He said
he understood that the counsel had said
In his statement to the Court that he ex
pected to prove his statement by the wit
ness CDR. Donovan.) Witness said he
had no recollection during his official
connection with the institution of any
such chastisement of prisoner; that no
such thing had ever taken place to his
knowledge.
Mr.. Clark, in rebuttal, testified that
the cow sold was not worth over $50 or
$35; that there were three calves, and
that Gen. Bond ordered the calves 10 be
killed, but afterwards gave them away;
the calves were from four days to week
old; that 1t was very common thing for
persons to dispose of young calves when
they needed the milk
p. b. Bennett In rebuttal testified; that
he lived in the neighborhood of the
House of Correction during Gen. Bonds
term; that he was painter by trade.
Judge Magruder here interrupted the
witness, ana objected TO the rebuttal
testimony offered by the State on the
ground that the defense had stated In
the beginning that they would object to
anv new evidence that the State might
produce in the way OF rebuttal, and
cited several law points to sustain his
objection. The Court said, by way. that
the authorities cited by counsel for the
defense we're more applicable TO the 9th
er side of the case than to the point at
issue Judge Magruder, however, con-
tinued to show by the authorities that
his point was we'll taken. The Court
however, overruled the objection.
The witness stated that he bought the
cow from Gen. Bond for $50; he kept
her ten days, and sold her to Mrs.
Hughes, Gen. Bonds mother-in-law for
the same amount; that he lived at Mrs.
Hughes at the time; that he bought the
COW on speculation but after he found
she was diseased he sold her. Mrs.
Hughes paid Gen. Bond for the cow-no
money passed between him and Gen
Bond.
Mr.. John Colein, was the next witness
offered In rebuttal by the State who en-
deavored to prove that the COW in ques-
ton seven months previous was sold at
public sale for $1,000; that the bullock
which was crippled and scrawny was sold
| for 81 90, but the defense counsel objec-
ted, and the Court sustained the objec-
| ion.
Gen. Bond was called to the stand,
| and stated That he had been superin
tendent of the House7of Correction for
zine months; found the cattle at the in
stitution in very poor condition when
| he took charge of the place; the COW sold
| for $50 was old and sickly, that 1t had
been valued at more but was not worth
the price; the calves had been ordered to
be killed for reason that the milk from
| the COWS was worth more 10 the institu-
ton; the sale of the cattle was made
upon authority of the chairman OF