The Portland daily press., 1894-04-14
WILSON'S PLEA.
Do Not Forgive Him and Conlemn
Her.
A SCORCHING EXCORIATION OF
BRECKINRIDGE.


Social Law Should be Melted Out to All
Sinners Alike, Says Madeline's Counsel
Tho Argument for the Defense
Severely Criticized.
Washington, April 49, The closing
arg gument in the breach o promise suit
against Colonel Breckenridge was begun
this forenoon by ex-Judge Wilson, chiet
counsel for Miss Pollard. He scathingly
denounced the Kentucky congressman
for his treatment of Miss Pollard, land
declared he was wholly responsible fol
her unhappy condition.
"I stand here for womanhood." Wilson
said. "This defendant proclaimed from
the stand that while affairs of this kind
injure man they destroy woman. am
here to insist that the law shall be
equally distributed.
II stand here to protest against allow
ing this man to enter my rarlor and
your parlor while the. basement door and
the gate are bolted against the woman.
II condemn him. I would condemn
him if / could, so that the condemnation
would ring around the world"
The denunciation of the country girl by
Major Butterworth was criticised severe
ly by Judge Wilson who also took up
the speech of Colonel Thompson, and to
each historical and biblical incident re-
ferred to by the speaker, gave turn hos
tile to the defendant.
What is the argument OF Colonel
Thompson and Major Butterworth? 1t
is not that this II years old girl was Sc
duced by this 81 years old man, but that
she seducsd him.
"That is their argument. If it were
not so serious it would be ludicrous.
How could that defendant sit there and
allow the utterance of such sentiments
if he were not craven and coward?
"He says the woman did it. That's his
defence. 1t is the old story OF the gar
den of Eden.
"Major Butterworth has told the jury
nothing whatever about the case" said
Judge Wilson.
When he started in to do SO he found
that he was getting into muddy water
SO he said, 'I'il just stand on the bank
and shoot off fireworks"
Judge Wilson'S remarks caused occa-
sional laughter and some shuffies of
approval, which Judge Bradley rebuked.
"There is one thing / expect to show
and il / show it shall be satisfied, /"
said Judge Wilson. "It is that this
woman is friendless and alone and
barred out of society, that this woman's
condition is traceable to that man. This
is the simplest case in the world, and
if you will get out of your heads the
ciarnor and the shouting of the defend
ants counsel you will see how simple
it is. Judge Wilson held up to scorn
the attempt of Major Butterworth to
show vscious habits through Miss Pol
Iard's school girl letters. Madeline
Pollard had not met James c. Rodes
until the summer of 1888, yet during
May, June and July of that year." said
Judge Wilson, "the defence sought to
prove she was then living in house of
prostitution in Lexington. In all the
letters to James C. Rodes from the plain
tiff. there is not suggestion of any
improper relations. Mr.. Wilson, without
sparing the witnesses, handled the testi-
mony of Brant and Kanman and other
witnesses, who made oath to plaintiff
having visitd the house of Lena Single
ton. when that house at the time spoken
of had not existence He SAID ne knew
nothing more worthy of reprobation
than putting before the jury every per-
iured statement that could be hunted
up in the back alleys and slop barrels of
Lexington to blacken the character of
this unfortunate girl.
Judge WILSON said RANKIN hOSell Iur-
nished the loop which the defence tried
to place around the neck of his clients
character. He gave the lie to Rosell's
statement that he had broken the en-
gagement with Miss Pollard because
she let him fondle and caress her.
Judge Wilson took up the statement of
Colonel Breckenridge that on the day
he called on Miss Pollard at Wesleyan
College she had owned wrongful relations
with Rodes. This, Miss Pollard denied.
" Her word in this case is as good as
his" said Judge Wilson," This doc
trine of improba ability comes here with
crushing force against the defendant
Was it probable that Rodes 4ad also
told defendant of wrongful relations
with pIainiff?". Then with deep dra-
matte manner and deep voice of accusa-
tion, Judge Wilson made a severe ar
ign ment of Colonel Breckinridge. He
said. aHe has lived lies. For ten years
his life has been faithless to the most
sacred obligation of life. He lived life
of hypocrisy, life of which he himself
said you can't find words to coin into
phrases to define the height, length and
depth of my fault. am 80 filled with
pity for this homeless, friendless
woman, I can find in my heart to say
things that 1 could not otherwise have