The Washington times., 1894-04-14
ITS ADAMS OLD EXCUSE
So Saws Judge Jere Wilson About the
Breckenridge Defense.
BASIS OF A POWERFUL PLEA
The Style Of Discourse No Longer Like Mr..
Butterworths Passionate 0ratory-Col.
Thompson's Biblical Quotations 0utquoted.
A Keen and Invincible Analysis.

The great speech OF Major Ben Butter
worth in the Pollard -Breckin,idge case was
surpassed yesterday by the greater argument
of Judge Jere Wilson, who began the final
summary for the plaintiff
Doubts had been current over night whether
the impression left by the fervent oratory OF
the ex-Congressman from Ohio could be elimi-
mated by the more matter of fact methods Of
the eX-Congressman from Indiana.
| Judge Wilson, however, bears an enviable
local reputation as a pleader of convincing
powers, and everybody was assured of an
effort worthy of one of the most important
causes for which he has ever appeared.
The audience which crowded in to hear
him was in itself compliment, and the at
tention which it gave him was notable fiat
terry. Many of the most substantial members
of the bar were glad to occupy standing room
all day. Congressman perched on window
sills or pressed their aching backs against the
walls. willing to endure any discomforts for
the sake of an opportunity to listen.
The silence which prevailed all day was
distinctly noticeable. even the newspapers.
which have heretofore been constantly rustled
during the proceedings, were thrust aside un-
opened.
: There were some advantages in the situa-
tion for Mr.. Wilson which he was most alert
to grasp. He had been n playmate of Ben
Butterworth's in boyhood back in the Miami
hills. in the country life which the Quaker
politician had so effectively coniured with he
was able to return with the same ammunition
which had been employed against him to turn
some of his opponents weapons into danger
Gus boomerangs.
He disclaimed all intention to deal in ora
tory. and yet he was able to use oratory of
the most effectual kind. 1.-The defense OF
Adam was what he called Col. Breckin-
ridges position. and to the credit of human
ity. he said. Adam had always been deemed
coward and a craven.
He did not attempt to assert that his client
was free from fault, but that just as far as she
had strayed from the path of womanly virtue
she had been led by the man.
To appreciate Judge Wilson'S speech it
would be necessary to know the man and his
methods. He is tall. slender as Senator
Evarts, with waist smaller than womaus
when his coat is buttoned around it. face
which is covered tight as parchment by
bronzed skin, an iron gray imperial, and
bushy hair OF the same tinge.
His voice,is a bass. which seems TO come
from his boots. and is frequently broken by
hacking cough. He talks slowly. deliber-
atelv; he has the facts in the testimony mar
velously under command. and his ability as a
straightforward logician is accounted his
greatest power.
On two or three important points he drew
logical deductions from the evidence which
surprised even the lawyers. He has long
right arm. tipped with an accusing index
finger, which serves TO drive his deductions
home
That long. bony forefnGer was several
times leveled in denunciation AT Col. Breck-
inridge. which made the Kentucky orator
shift uneasily in his chair.
Ii was terrible arraignment TO which he was
subjected. and he would have been something
more or less than human had he not shown
the effect of it, as he did.
Judge Wilson will continue for an indefinite
time to-day. and then Judge Bradley will de-
liver his charge to the jury. and the trial will
be ended when a verdict is announced.
Judge Jere NJ. Wilson was complimeutcG yes
terday by the presence OF a large audience OF
his colleag CUES of the legal profession and Of
members of Congress TO hear mis- reply 10 the
attacks of Col Phil Thompson upon his client
and the eloquent appeal OF Major Ben Butter
worth.
Mr. Wilson's voice was low and impressive as
he told the !uIy that il was his duty 70 reply To
all the defendant had said rs q witness and
through his counsel a startling thing had been
urged on his behalf, viz: that this case with all
its revelations should not have been brought.
lie thinks" began the attorney, speaking
through them, that this case never should have
been brought; that it is spreading pollution
through the country, and do not wonder ! am
sorry that my friend Ben ButterwOrth is not
here. lie said that TO blame for spread
ing pollution through this country. If what this
defendant has confessed on the stand be true is
1t possible that in the sunlight OF civilization
there is redress,
'.YOu cannot tie milestone around his neck
and sink him in the for the fishes to feed
upon him. You cannot shut him in cage and
double-lock it TO keep him from polluting the
women of the country. You cannot do that but
you can secure the redress that the laws Of the
land have provided"
Major ButterwoUth had spoken of the revulsion
OF feeling abroad against this ease, but he had
forgotten that in Great Britain, when such things
became a stencil in the Anglo-SaNon ncstrils,
peers and mobiles had had their black skeletons
dragged from closets and had been condemned,
had been banished, aye, bright stars, as had
been said had been dragged from the firma-
ment.
..Even If this were the first case" Numbered
Mr. Wilson, II would he proud Of my part in
condemning such conduct. Ny friend, Mr. Car
Isle, and take this responsibility, and We take
il willingly. even proudly. suppCs4 my friend
Butterworth would say that if the third count in
this Indictment be true, he would hapish the
here for higher womanhocd. stand here 10
demand the same standard from woman and
man stand against sentiments as this defend
ant has uttered, that such baseness injuries the
man but destroys the woman
Would the Jury say that this defendant was to
be admitted 10 their parlors and the oUter gates
locked and barred against The woman 1t had
pleased Alr Butterwo-th 10 declaim pyrotecknic-
ally that the womanhood OF the land IVES arrayed
in behalf OF the defendant. No. thousand