The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-20
The WRIGHT HEARING.
GOV. RusseII's Requlsltlon Consd-
cred To-Day,
DEFENCE APPEARS TO CONTEST.
Lawyer Jennings Of Fall River and George
j. West Appssred for the state Of Mass
achusetts and w. r. shefsieId for the
Wrights.

Inc ueoriuS Oh inc dppilCatiou vi Oo'.
Russell OF Massachusetts, for the Wright
Brothers of Newport, was held at the
Sta.e house at 10 O'Clock this forenoon be-
fore Gov. Brown.
Lawyer Jennings of Fall River. opened
the case In the absence OF the district at
torney.
He read the statements in the warrant
Of the alleged assault on W. II. Proctyr
with gaff hook as he was attempting to
board their sloop at Gosnold. being an
officer in the discharge OF his duties. The
offense was committed on June 20.
Proctor's affidavit states that the de-
PENDANTS hauled up car OF Holsters and
put small lobsters.i into 1t. He examined
IL aud found his surmises to be true and
taking the car went to their sloop in the
harbor,
He sprang onto the bowsprit when he
was attacked by John Wright with the
he let go and sank, and when he rose
Samuel Wright threw a brick at him and
they continued to throw bricks at him
and as he was unable TO get TO his boat he
had TO swim to escape.
An affidavit of Peter Nelson of Boston,
who accompanied Mr.. Proctor. was read,
confirming the statement about the as
sault. Peter was hit twice by bricks on
the arm.
Mr. Jennings stated that he presented
an application with the warrant and affi-
davits which are all that are REQUIRED in
case OF requisition IL properly certified
and authenticated.
Gov. Brown said that he was satisfied
as to the au' henticity of the papers.
w. +. Sheffield for the defense did not
deny the identity but claimed that the
governor could not surrender them on
the papers He admitted that they were
arrested by q justices warrant and under
recognizance, but said there were other
points.
Gov. Brown wanted to know how they
got here and IL they took any undue
haste in leaving Massach husetts.
Mr.. Proctor was sworn and said the
Wrights hoisted sail aud left after the as
Of police IF Newport two days afterwards
He heard Of them in Newport. He saw
their boat July4
He saw them next July IL. The first
warrants were sworn out July at Ed
gartown. Mass, as soon as the defend
ants names were learned.
Mr.. Sheffield asked IL the witness would
swear that the parties had any car of lob
sters, but Mr. Jennings objected that this
was not trial of the case.
1t was not an eel car that was raised,
the witness said.
Mr.. Jennings objected again to going
into the details OF the assault.
Mr.. Sheffield said the governors duty
was not mandatory but moral. Moral
equities of the case were to be considered.
Mr.. Sheffield argued that the affidavits
were not the ones the law recognizes
(Solomon's case, Abbott's practices, page
340.
Mr., West said there could be no ques-
tion made Of the documents certified by
Gov. Russell. The innocence or guilt
could be inquired into.
Gov. Brown ruled that the form must
be adhered to.
Mr. Sheffield said Gov. Van zandt had
of Massachusetts when he did not think
the warrant was In good faith.
If the governor Of Massachusetts, had
been deceived and the plan was to get the
men on some other charge 1t would be
grounds for refusal.
The charge is for assault to murder.
Mr.. Proctor tried to get on board by vio-
Ience. On the high seas man tries to
board vessel and they have q right to
use force to prevent it, and IL he had been
killed 1t could only have been man
slaughter.
Gov. Brown said he was not to Judge
of the crime.
Mr.. Sheffield said the governess was in
clined to decide before he heard.
Gov. Brown wanted more evidence as to
the flight
Joseph r.. Shaw. agent. of Massachu-
sets, was sworn and told of the testimo-
ny Of the Wrights at Newport; that they
sailed at once for Newport after the as
sault.
Wright was sworn and said he had al
ways lived in jamestown or East Green
wich, X. 1. He came home once or twice
a week. He had been away two or three
days at the time He went home to have
his brothers. wound dressed. He was
struck by the man in the boat with
Proctor.
As to who was steering the boat. Mr.
Jennings objected aud was sustained by
the governor
Mr. Sheffield said he had other wit
nesses, but would not call them, as his
question was overruled, but at the COVER
nor's suggestion called John Wright. He
said he went home to have his wound
dressed. He had not been back since, nor
had his brother
1t was not under the doctors advice
that he shaved, he said, In reply to Mr..
West.
After the arguments the hearing was
adjourned at o'clock and the governor
reserved his decision.
At 3 o'clock Gov. Brown had not signed
the requisition papers.
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The Virginia Editors.