The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-19

vVIUBlA, De S.s SuAy 10 -tSfpcCt13.f-
Rev. Alfred R. Reams, much to his own
surprise a. wei a. tho disgust Of the pros
ecution. il this evening free man, though
threatened with rearrss:. Public sympa-
thy has turned wards him. and his dis
charge from custody vss generally pro-
nounced right. not because people believe
him less . rascal than he Is. but because
the Fuckers. while here. created most
unfavorable impression. Their evidence
was just what was required. and had the
case been one Of local concern. prosecution
for perjury would assurediy have been
laid against the girl.
The manner in which Reams secured
his liberty. like all has defense. Vas
through technicality. Il will be rcmem-
bered that when habeas corpus proceed
ings we're adjourned Last Saturday il vas
to enable the lawyers to produce authori-
ties ~ to the Law Of California, the prose-
cution holding that the taking Of the girl
from her home without her parents con-
sent was in itself an abduction. The de-
feuse contended that TO sustain the charge
1t wss necessary 10 prove that the party
abducted was to be launched into prosti-
tuition. When the case was again called
this morning neither side was ready. each
holding that the burden of proof rested
upon the other. Chief Justice Sir Matthew
b. BeSbie then proceeded 70 deliver judg-
Oent. saving:
u WAS not for him to provide the facts for
lawyess and supply them with argument The
xtst Of the judgment Vas that since no evidence
~ to the California law had been produced. il
was for the court 70 presume what that Law was
Reams had been properly convicted Of what In
~ h~as1 Ahx& VRo
Of consent, - in the states. - years. but tas
chief justice advised that II the defense were
right In their deHnition Of abduction according
70 the American law. Rnaas could not b sue
cessiuiiy prosecuted In caitforaia. II would b.
better for the prosecution not 10 take Reams
on British 60 sgainst his will In that event
the cousse Of prosecution would be found both
dii1cuit and attended with mulsitudinous ex-
pensea.
This Judgment practically defeated the
motion Of the defense, which the chief
justice then proceeded to do more etfectu-
ally. II accordingly refuse the order for .
writ Of habcas corpus, he continued.
Yates. Reams' attorney, Was about to
address the court again. when the prose-
cutting attorney, after . consultation with
Sheriff Warfield. announced that the i'm
formation was uithdsaun. ut il our In
tention.." he added. 10 lay fresh informa-
ton. charging Rcams with the abduction
Of this girl for the purpose of prostitution.
We have here the California warrant and
deposisions duly attested and taken under
the new information already placed in our
hands,"
Then Reams is now at liberty" said
the chief justice. "He has at present no
charge against him and may CO." Crease
protested, saying he wished to lay the
amended charge Immediately, but the
judge had left the bench and Reams
realizing the proper course to pursue left
the court room at = pace that would have
been credit to a professional. his i4-year-
old son running to keep up with his long
limbed papa Both had disappeared be-
fore the turn Of events had been
thoroughly realised by the court room
audience. and they had started in pursuit
Of the clerical celebrity, now prisoner no
longer, but Reams had made good speed,
and the foremost In the crowd arrived in
the street just in time to see the clerical
coat tails disappearing around . corner. It
isexpected that new warrant would 10
secured, but it has not yet been asked for
and Reams il carefully keeping himself
out Of the way.