Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-05-19
UNCLE sam STAMPS NO rRrrnINo.


Wales for Contempt.
A somewhat sensational incident, due to
the great Importance of the case and of the
parties interested, occurred in the United
States court Thursday, when Manager
James II. Mehaffey of the Delaware q
Atlantic Telegraph and Telephone Com
pany was mulcted in costs by Judge Wales
for failing TO place e telephone according
to the courts mandamus Of two weeks ago
in the Office Of the Postal Telegraph Com
pany at Third and Market streets.
A little before noon Thursday upon tho
application of the Postal company an
attachment was ordered to issue and was
handed by Clerk 5. Redmond Smith of the
United States circuit court to United States
Marshal Mahaily to be served forthwith.
The court niissive required the marshal
to attach Mr.. Mehafley and bring his body
before the court to answer for contempt.
The original mandamus issued against
the telephone company required that Mr..
MehafGey shall Immediately upon being
rendered the fees paid by others, Ne, y
place the phone in position. This he has
not done. The Postal company, through
its counsel, George H. Bates, took action
accordingly Thursday morning.
Upon being served with the attachment
Mr.. Mehalley sent a telegram to headquar-
tiers in Philadelphia, acquainting the tcle-
phone company authorities there Of his
present predicament
The writ of attachment was under tho
witness of Hon. Melville w, Fuller, Esq,
judge Of the United States supreme Court
ut Wilmington and signed by $. Rod
mond Smith, clerk of the United States
circuit court Of Delaware.
A forthwith subpoena was also at the
same time served upon General Manager
William ~ Westbroolt of the Delaware &
Atlantic Telegraph and Telephone Com
pany. who happened to be il the city
Thursday. The writ was served BY Deputy
United States Marshal George D. Watson.
Another forthwith subpoena was served on
local manager of the Western Union John
l.. Hall Thursday. He refused at first
to come with the United States official,
pleading that he had received instructions
to do nothing whatever Until lie got his
orders from Western Union headquarters.
The official suggested that he had better
NOT mind that i'll TINS instance, but come
right along. Mr.. Hall then did that wight
away.
Among others present ut the hearing
was General Superintendent Of Telephones
q. G. Adams q Philadelphia. who was an
Interested spectator OF the incident, rs was
also Local Agent of the Postal Company
George III. Brown.
Judge Wales gave the hearing III cham
bers. y. g. Bradford appeared for Man
ager Mehailey
rue alHHNit Ol tle local agent OF the
Postal Telegraph Company, George Ii.
Brown, was read by George H. Bates,
counsel. y closed with the statement
That the defendant has neglected and
refused and still heglects and refuses Ia
furnish a telephone connection with the
said exchange 10 the reiatOr upon the Same
terms, Nc., and said defendant has not
oheyed and refuses to obey the command
of said COURT
The inandamGs had been served two
weeks.
MIR. Bradford made argument to the
effect that arrangements were being Of
tectcd % place the phone III position.
~ the close oil his remarks the court
| said If Won can wait two weeks, Won
| may make it two months, and then two
years The delay may be i,terminable. z
4 The representatives of the Delaware &
Atlantic Telegraph and Telephone Com
\ pany promised to put the phone iii imme.
diately. Judge Wales then ordered the
/ defendants TO pay costs. These amounted
to the sum ofS6,75 which included fees, gvc
The ease, therefore, is settled by agree.
| ment.
All the parties then left Judge Wales
chambers and gathered in the clerk soifce
/ General Manager Westbrook, after pay.
ing the amount o. costs, was Just leaving
the office when he was accosted in pro,
nonnced manner by Superintendent
Adams Of the telephone company.