The Washington times., 1894-04-02
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. PROSPECTS

Developments that May be Expected Dur.
ing the Forthcoming Week.
Although the Pollard -Breckinridge scandal
has dragged through the circuit court for
three weeks, to the exclusion Of other cases
which are equally important from financial
standpoint, it promises to hold the boards for
two weeks more.
Judge Bradley has heightened the daily
sessions of the court one hour, by sitting un-
til 4 O'Clock in the afternoon, thus breaking
the time-honored custom under which the
local courts always stop work at p. m. But,
despite this additional hour, which means a
gain of one day in a week. the lawyers do
not expect to be able to deliver their valedic
tories to the jury before the last of next week.
Congressman Breckinridge will continue to-
day the recital of his version of the nine
years intrigue with Madeline Pollard, and he
may consume the entire day in rounding out
his story, after which he will pass into the
hands of ex-Judge Jere NJ. Wilson for Cross
examination.
From this inquisition the followers of the
trial are anticipating their choicest entertain
ment, for the jurist and ex-Congressman from
Indiana has a well-earned reputation as the
most trying man who could be selected from
the local bar to rake witness.
He is no respecter OF persons in the court
room, following faithfully the axiom that all
men are equal in the eyes of the law, and he
has an unusual facility at planning traps for
witness, leading him along difficult lines of
singly, and then combining the conclusions
therefrom in one question which puts the
victim on record in another light.
Miss Pollard and her lawyers have busted
themselves in taking notes throughout the
colonel's testimony from which they expect
to draw material for cross-examination.
No trouble is expected by the Breckenridge
forces from the writ signed by Speaker Crisp
summoning him to appear at the House to
help make quorum for the Joy-O'N Neill
election contest.
A formal statement to the House of the ex-
ceedingly important business which demands
his presence elsewhere will probably lead the
House to make an exception in his case from
the order revoking all leaves OF absence which
was passed last week.
Should the House refuse to Go this, an in
teresting question of supremacy between the
court and Congress would arise, which law
yers think would be decided in favor of the
constitutional provision to the effect that
members in attendance upon the House shall
be exempt from arrest except for treason,
felony, or breach OF the peace.
There will be but little testimony for the de-
fense after Col. Breckinridge leaves the stand,
and most OF that will be in the form OF depo-
sitions. Then the rebuttal for the plaintiff
will come in which Miss Pollard herself will
probably take the stand again. and the old
principal of the Wesleyan College will be
called to refute the testimony of Rankin Ros-
sell. to whom Miss Pollard was engaged In
1884.
Dr. Brown will testify that Rossell could
not have called to see her two or three times
a week, as he said, as the rules OF the school,
which were strictly enforced, permitted WIS.,
itors only on Friday nights. and then in the
presence of the teachers, and will deny that
Miss Pollard prepared to go with him to Chi
cago, as she was only permitted to kiss him
goodby under the search-lght OF a teachers
gaze.
After the rebuttal there may be witnesses
for surrebuttal. and finally will come the
closing arguments of the attorneys. from whom
the city is expecting great efforts at pleading
as the regulations of the gentlemen and the
material in the case justifles.
Since the belligerent outbreak near the
beginning of the trial, the personal relations
between some of the attorneys have been visi-
bly, strained. although they have for the most
part observed scrupulously the courtesies o1
the courtroom.
Mr.. Shelby, the law partner Of Congress
man Breckenridge, at whose expense the
papers were disposed to make fun because of
his belligerence, has shown himself one OF
the most mild hammered and gentlemanly at
torneys in the case.
Although he has not expressed regret at
his early action, he has frequently deplored
the necessity for it, which under the code oi
honor which obtains in his section made il
imperative upon him to resent the remarks oi
Mr.. johnson