Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-11

commissioned and licensed and acted fol
the Law and Order Society, and that IL wa:
his duty to enforce the Sunday observance
laws. Then he said he had signed the in.
formation he made against Sharp, but
when Major Brown deliberately arose and
presented to HIM for Identification the in
formation sworn to as the one against
Sharp by Alderman Robe, the star de-
clared there was not any of his handwriting
upon the information shown. He said: 81
identified Sharp in Alderman Rohe's office
as the man of whom bought the paper i
swore that L bought the paper at 7:20 or
7:30 o'clock" Then the curtain descended
on the interesting scene. and all OF the
actors, populaces ct cetera, went out to eat
theirprosaic luncheons
Major Brown handled the star after court
resumed, and asked some leading questions
that had tendency to make the star be-
come stage struck in mild sort Of way.
"Are you certain you bought that paper
from Sharp?" quer1ed Major Brown IN
bland tones
mo, sir; am not positive about It," re-
turned Mcclure.
'Didn't you swear you bought a paper
from Sharp when you made the informa-
tion?"
From information received did"
Didn't you draw up the information"
INV clerk did"
when You were examined before the
Alderman, when did you say the paper was
bought?"
Between 40 and 7:3O on Sunday"
What time did you swear by?"
Central time"
Not Certain of His Own Ha bits.
"Are You in the habit. Mr.. Mcclure of
making informations before Pittsburg
Alderman by Central instead of Eastern
timer"
"well, l don't know
"Did you not hunt up the paper you say
you bought of Sharp and mark it on pur-
pose to deceive us?n was Major Browns next
question.
Il did NOT
Several other actors of minor Importance
then took the stand aud discoursed as learn
edlv as possible upon the particular theme
they knew about. A very dubious piece of
acting was then done by Mr.. Patterson. at
torney for the star The witnesses to tes-
tifv TO the character of Mr. Mcclure were
cilled, and when Insurance Agent A. B.
Campbell, of McKeesport, took his seat in
the box, Mr.. Patterson asked him if he
knew the general reputation for veracity
and truthfulness of Agent Mcclure. Mr..
Campbell replied that it was very good.
Then came Attorney Brown with few
words that created the most startling climax
of the day.
what do you know of the general repu-
tatiou OF Robert Mcclure as law-abiding
citizen?" asked the Major in soft, soothing
tones.
Objected to by the Defense.
Colonel Moore, Mr.. Patterson and Mr.
Marion spra g simultaneously to their feet.
"Ohie t, object" cried they as in one voice.
"Immaterial to the point OF truth and
veracitv.' but the Court waved them softly
back and Major Brown spoke.
''ThiS is material, las it is necessary for me
to find out what they mean by their general
knowledge of the reputation of the defend
ant
There were a great many points raised,
but the Court decided in favor of the prose-
cution and Major Brown continued with his
witness
Now then, Mr.. Campbell" said the Major,
''Yuu say you know Mr.. Mcclure to have a
reputation as Il good, law-abiding citizen;
are YOU aware of the fact that he has been
tried and convicted tor breach OF the
law?'
Mr. Campbell glanced imploringiy at the
consul Tor the defense, but they were not
looking that way, and Mr.. Campbell faltered
a reluctant Yes
''no You know he had been convicted and
sentenced to pay half the costs i'll several
cases he has prosecuted for barlatry?'
Yes responded the insurance man, 81
believe have heard something of the sort"
Are You not sure?'
YES ! am sure
Yet, you know his reputation to be good
FOR veracitv, truthfulness, and general good
CtiZenship?'
Il do"
Where the Witness Get Pointers.
"From whom do you get this knowledgeP'
"From various people with whom have
talked"
"IIas the DEFENDANTS name been discussed
regarding his truth and veracity?"
at has
"By whom?"
"By church members, professional men
and other reputable people,
and among those people the impression
prevails that his truth and veracity is I'M
QueStiOnaDie?"
at does" replied Mr.. Campbell and he
resumed his inconspicuous place among the
seated populace which were in the minority
Mr. Campbell was followed BY a score of
people who were put through the same
ordeal and so prominently was this testi-
monv adduced that the IL good and true
Jurors had the facts drilled into their men,
ories so well that it seemed to hang over
them in little stage halo.
Business men, professional men and
detectives from the white-hared detective
to the attorney, all told the same story that
McClure's reputation was good, but that
they had heard of his unfortunate escapade
with the miniOns OF the law. All seemed
more or less affected by Major Browns
searching questions.
There was little wrangle between the
attorneys over an offer on the part of the
defense to place in evidence the record of
the suit against Sharp. An appeal had
been taken from the judgment of Alder
man Robe and withdrawn, because with
out doing this the suit for perjury could
not have been brought. After some discus
sion the offer was withdrawn and the case
closed
The arguments, or the third act in the
drama, will be made to-day.