Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-11-07
with legal processes killed him."

with legal processes killed him."
On one occasion Harrison made pow
erful argument in case in which he
had not previously appeared. Two
propositions were conceded by the other
side to be true; third was in dispute,
but Harrison assumed the correctness
of the three and on this basis his plea
was unanswerable. The lawyer who
rose to reply said the character of the
argument just closed reminded him of
the boy who declared that brother or
sister he had none, but that mans father
was his fathers son"-the only solution
being that the boy lied. This insinua-
ton concerning Harrison reused horror
and indignation in the mind of Partner
Miller, especially as the audacious at
torney succeeded in knocking out the
argument.
An incident in the federal court caused
much amusement to persons present.
Before the repeal of the bankrupt law
Harrison appeared for the defendant in
"a suit brought against certain Hebrews
charged with having attempted fraud.
The state had gone to much expense
in securing evidence, the work being
done by the deputy United States attor-
ney, the chief prosecutor knowing little
or nothing of the details. One day,
Harrison. knowing there was no chance
for his client, intimated to the prose
cutting attorney that he was willing to
plead guilty and take sentence. Much
to his surprise the prosecutor, thinking
this an easy way to dispose of a trouble
some matter, accepted the proposition;
the plea was made and Judge Gresham
imposed a fine and short term of inn
prisOnment. no provision being made for
costs, which ran far into the hundreds
after the compound method of reckon
ing practiced in courts had been skill
fully applied. Naturally the deputy
prosecutor objected when he learned
what had been done. and at next session
of court applied for correction of the
ruling, Judge David Davis presiding.
Harrison had enjoyed the discontinue
of the prosecutor and made light of his
threat to ask for correction until he wa.
reused by hearing the court order the
record changed to provide for the pay
ment of costs. Harrison came forward
with a rush. as If charging the enemy.
''Your honor. I object" he said.
This was a criminal proceeding The
record was made up at another term of
court and cannot be altered now. II Is
impossible.
Well. Mr.. Harrison" drawled the
court, with broad and benevolent smile.
Well. have ordered the record
changed. and guess. Mr. Harrison. the
order will stick
In trial where Senator voorhees, an
peared on the opposite side Gen. Harri-
son riClieuled the position assumed by
his opponents. saying that il reminded
him Of a buzzard which alighted on
dead limb. bat kept its wings outspread:
II the limb broke il would be flying: IL
It remained secure IL would be standing.
Mr.. voorhees,. in response. said he
had met Mr.. Harrison in court on many
was always present on the same dead
limb
A busy lawyer 81 close observation
and positive opinions asserted boldly
that while Harrison could thrust and
parry with the best Of them in legal
encounters> and was often sarcastic and
cutting. he absolutely lacked the sense
Of humor. cit has developed somewha.
IN later years. / think. since he went
into the senate and hazi an opportunity
- expand. he added. but formerly
there was not CLEAN of It. have a
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