The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-03

ed the fac simile to Senator Platt, who
examined 1t curlously and with a smile
/ handed 1T to some of his colleagues each
OF whom manifested lively interest in
the notorious letter. Mr.. Bailey also had
| with him scrap book containing a great
many newspaper clippings concerning the
Woods matter, most of them being from
The SENTINEL, but when Mr.. Bailey pro-
duced the two decisions of Woods in par
aIlei columns the greatest interest was
manifested.
The Deadly Parallel.
An eye witness of this scene describes it
10 this way: "AIr. Bailey then offered to
I show the committee that Woods had, by
| his last decision, overruled his first, and
taking up his scrap book turned over the
leaves and displayed clippings from THE
1NDIANAPoLIs SENTINEL. in which Woods
two decisions were placed side by side"
| This eye witness continued "I had often
| heard these two decisions discussed and
had made up my mind that the last
undoubtedly overruled the first. 1t
was very palpable. but when L saw
the two placed side by side in the deadly
parallel column. the effect was almost
startling. Why it was as plain as the nose
/
decision, took back everything he said in
his first, and it was ridiculous to note the
way he quibbled, and squirmed, and per-
vertec. and distorted in order to arrive at
an entirely different effect. The deadly
| parallel was handed around from one SEN
| ator to another, and as each scanned it
the grave senatorial features would relax
and peculiar significant smile would ap-
! pear on their countenances. The senators
/ exchanged significant smiles as much as
! 10 say: Its a clear case against Brother
/ Woods"
Judge ClaypooI Tsstifies.
After Mr. Bailey had testified for one
and one-half hours he was excused from
the room and Judge Claypool was then
/ called. The judge went into detail con-
corning the indictments, Judge Woods
His examination lasted two hours and
was conducted by Judge Turpie, but every
| now and then Senator Hoar and other
members of the committee would pro-
| pound 10 him a question.
1t is not possible to give the details OF
/ all that took place in the committee, but
! 1t is understood that Judge Claypool told
/ how he confronted Jvdge Woods after his
second decision in the Dudley case, and
said to him in substance: II have here in
my pocket" tapping his coat, "your first
decision, which was taken down in short
hand. You can not deny, Judge Woods,
that you virtually overrule yourself"
Judge Claypool told the committee that
he believed Judge Woods was unaware
that there was verbatim copy of his first
decision In existence when he made his
second one. He explained that the first
decision of Woods was taken down by
stenographer, probably without the
knowledge OF Woods. Judge Clavpool
then detaield at length that interview with
Woods.
Judge Claypoops testimony 1t is said,
made a manifest impression upon the
senators. 1t is understood the Judge also
told the committee how Woods solicited
| Justice Harlan's advice and how, after
several letters had passed between the
two Woods made his first decision, and
how, subsequently, Woods wrote TO Jus.
tice Harlan (about Christmas time, 1881
while the Dudley matter was pending.
and argued to convince Judge Harlan that
he Woods) ought to change his first de-
cision, and how, in few days, he did so
in his charge to the grand jury.
Foreman Oohiltree.
Thomas NJ. Ochiltree OF Rushville who,
as foreman of the grand jury, was
reprimanded for not bringing in indict-
ments in certain election cases, told the
commissioner that Judge Woods had on
one occasion, refused to permit him to
defend two witnesses charged with cOun-
terfeiting because the Judge alleged that
Ochiltree had spoken disrespectfully of
him. OchiItree's evidence tended to show
the partisan spirit and malice that
actuated Woods.
Judge MoNutt on the Stand.
Judge McNutt Of Terre Haute was called
and remained with the committee until 5
o'clock. The judge testified to the part
J ne took in the Coy cases, the indictments
found for election frauds. etc.
While all these witnesses declined to
give even the substance of their testimony
it is conceded by those of the committee
and others about the capital that there
was an exceedingly strong case made out
against Woods confirmation.
Broadly stating it, the charge against
Woods consisted in judicial dishonesty, rs
evidenced in hIs conduct in the tally
sheet cases and his grand jury charges
relative to the Dudley case, including his
unprecedented ruling in favor of the mo-
ton made TO quash over one hundred and
twenty indictments returned by the grand
jury for illegal voting, and his failure and
refusal to recall the same grand Jury
which had devoted over two months of
conscientious work TO the investigation Of
election frauds that it might correct what in
Judge Woods opinion was q mere error in
phraseology.
Woods COnfesses
It has leaked out that Woods, in his
answar to the charges against him, which
answer reached here Wednesday, ad-
mitted that he was consulted in
the preparation of the Coy indict-
ment. Although there was other and
abundant proof OF this, his own admission
removes all further controversy about it.
A member of the judiciary committee
intimated that while it might be allowable
for judge and the prosecutor OF his court
TO confer as to the general law governing a
class of prosecutions or the construction
OF q statute that for such an officer
to prepare or assist in preparing an in
dictment as to case pending, charging a
citizen OF his district with crimes that. if
proven. would take away his property and
liberty and on which indictment he was
expecting to pass iudicially would Justly
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