The morning call., 1894-11-13
EXAMINATION OF TALESMEN
Wide Scope of the Questions
Asked Them.
THE UNIONS AND THE RAILROAD
The Taking of Testimony Will Begin
To-Day-A Long Trial Promised
From Indications.

In the United States District Court yes
terday the trial of John Cassidy and John
Mayne, the two men who were indicted
on the 9th of last August with Fred
Clarke aud James Rice for partici pating
In the great railroad strike of last July,
was begun.
Ii is charged in the indict ments that the
defendants on the 9th of last July. at the
town of Palo Alto, in Santa Clara County,
conspired tn oDstruct and retard the pas
sage of the United States mails. In fur
therance OF this scheme, it is alleged. they
extineuished the fires of engines, threw
switches and drawbridges open. destroyed
bridges and trestles, stopped trains and
compelled employees to leave, and gener-
ally retarded and prevented the transport
tation OF the mails.
Assistant District Attorney Samuel
knight, assisted by II. s. Foote. is con-
Quoting the prosecution, while Attorneys
George W. Monteith. A. w. Thompson
and C. Fl. Johnson represented the de-
tense.
When the case was first called the at
torneys for the defense asked for a con-
tinuation of the hearing, but when the
other side entered vigorous protest they
talesmen both sides took a very wide
range, and showed by their questioning
just what their plans will be during the
trial.
The prosecuting attorney first took the
talesmen in hand and examined them
very closely. After learning the talesman's
business the attorney generally asked him
if he had any relations with the Southern
81
If he was actively engaged in politics.
After sounding him thoroughly upon this
matter tine attorney touched upon the
labor problem. Did the gentleman employ
many laborers? Is he a member Of any
labor organization, and if so which one?
Did he believe in strikes? Had he
read accounts of the railroad strike and
how did he feel regarding it? Had he
formed any fixed opinion and could it be
by evidence?
Many similar questions were put by the
counsel for the defense. Talesmen were
asked as to their preiudices regarding
strikes and labor organizations, and
whether their business had been injured
by the strike. Also. they were asked
whether they would fear any loss to their
business by any interference with the rail-
road company.
All day long the tedious work of exami-
nation went on. The talesmen were all
men of Intelligence. men of business, either
from this city or across the bay. The lal-
ter, as rule, were challenged. Several OF
the taesmen expressed themselves as
against strikes and labor unions; but their
antipathy, they said. was not SO strong
that they could not give the defendants a
fair trial. according to the evidence.
These. while accepted by the prosecution,
were peremptorily challenged by the de-
Tense on the ground of bias.
The two defendants, who sat behind
their attorneys. took deep interest in all
the proceedings. but they did not wear
that anxious look which men in serious
plight with the law would be supposed to
have. They are two out of nearly hun
dred strikers who were arrested in all,
and therefore their cases are more in the
nature CT test cases. The courtroom was
crowded with spectators, the majority of
whom. as members of the American Rail-
way Union, took an absorbing interest in
all that transpired. 1t was nearly O'Clock
before jury was secured.
The following compose it: Cuthbert
Gordsn, B. F. w ellington, Julius c. Dig
gins, Seth P. Bsbson. George Ii. Stout,
Richard a. Bourne, E. 81. Lyon, Alfred E.
Pryor. Jacob BerIz. James Gilon, John
B. Spencer and Joseph Il. Wyman.
The examination of witnesses will begin
this morning. From all indications the
trial promises to last some time. Judge
Morrow evidently holds this opinion, as
he relieved all MS term jurors from duty
until notified.