Evening journal., 1893-01-24
MORRISON'S TRIAL ENDS
A Witness Intoxicated on the
Stand.
MORE IMPORTANT TESTIMONY.

The Second Case Against Election
Inspector Morrison Resumed In the
United States Court This Morning-In-
portant Testimony Heard-The Case
to go to the Jury To-Day.
When the United States Court went
into session at 2 o'clock yesterday after
noon. l.. O. vandegrift for the defense
raised the point that the prosecution
had failed to prove that an election was
held in New Castle hundred on the 0th
day Of November last, as required under
the indictment. The case rested upon
the presumption that such an election
was held and that the witness for the
prosecutions right as voter at that
election had been jeopardized. In aD-
sence Of the proof of an election having
been held at which a representative In
Congress from Delaware was voted for
provided In the statute under which the
indictment was found, he asked that the
court instruct the jury TO find a verdict
of acquttal which was done. The case
was won without the defense being com
PEELED to call witness.
Ant ntiOnu hKhAutI AAOIIloou
was taken up with the same jury in the
box. Robert w. Wright was the prose-
cutting witness. Entering the court
room swaggeringly and with a half
smoked cigar in his mouth, he took his
place on the witness stand made several
attempts 90 steady himself by clutching
the railing of the judges desk, and
finally leaned against the desk for sup
port Clerk Mahaffy removed the cigar
butt which Wright still held between
his teeth The man was sworn and the
district attorney was proceeding In the
extraction Of his testimony by bits, when
Judge Wales grew mildly indignant He
had been regarding the witness with
careful attention. Suddenly facing the
district attorney the court thus delivered
itself:
"Mr Watson, we cannot take this
testimony The witness is not sober.
Then turning TO Wright, the Judge
said severely: "You are discharged
until 10 o'clock to morrow morning, and
be sure to come here sober. You are
not now In condition that will warrant
this court TO accept your evidence"
YES Judge" responded the witness,
, making a desperate attempt to brace up.
I'm be in as good condition tomorrow
as / am now
Then he ambled down from the stand
and mingled with the spectators, and
Judge Wales ordered an adjournment.
The case was resumed this morning.
e Robert w. Wright, the principal wit
ness, was called and apologized for his
intoxicated condition yesterday.
District Attorney Watson then asked :
IA WAS there an election held in New
: Castle hundred, New Castle county,
IS State Of Delaware on November 8, 1922
e "Yes sir. For a representative in Con-
gress.'
d Interrupted by much squabbling be-
d tween counsel and arguments with the
"a court as to the irrelayancy of testimony,
Il Wright testified that on September he
l. attempted to be registered on a tax re-
10 ceipt which was dated May, 1891. and
II acknowledged payment of $26.SS for
county, poll and poor tax. Registration
was refused him by the defendant who
!. asked him to call again on Saturday the
), 10th. Tho plaintiff swore that he was a
ia freeholder and knew of no other Robert
a w. Wright. On cross examination he
said that Morrison and Rogers were at
ls the window He denied that Morrison
;, told him that though he could not be
y registered then his case would be inves
is tigated and held under advsement until
~ the following Saturday. He was moi
N under the influence Of liquor at the time
re The defendant was called TO the stand
III Remembered the defendants applying X
be registered ON the morning of Septem
Der 3, and calling again in the Afternoon
for the same purpose Wright was in
m toxicated and presented a tax receip
at bearing the name of John Hayes as col
IN lector He said that he did not wisl
ge to be a full.hedged qualified voter Of
% that receipt aud was told that his cas-
~ would be held one week under advise
,n ment Plaintiff re-appeared on the lot
% perfectly sober and answered all question
p and was registered Supervisor Grove
~ and Clerk Rogers were present. De
y fendant had meantime been counselled b
Attorney John II. Rodney.
70. After other important testimony, bot
sides closed and district attorne
81, Watson began his charge
OF the jury. A recess was take
lst at its conclusion, after which Mr.. Val
a degrift will address the jury. The judg
l.. will charpe the iurv this afternoon