The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-02
FORTWO WEEKS MORE
Colonel Breckenridge Will Tes-
tify Again To-Day.
Much Is Anticipated From Judge
Wilson When He Takes Up
the Characterization.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-Athough the
Breckinridge-Po llard scandal, which has
dragged through the Circuit Court for
three weeks, TO the exclusion of other
cases equally important from a financial
point. il promises to hold the boards for
two weeks more. Judge Bradley has
heightened the daily session of the court
by sitting until O'Clock in the afternoon,
thus breaking the time-honored custom
under which the local courts have always
finished work at 8 P. NJ. But despite this
addition, which means a gain of one day
in a week, the lawyers do not expect to
be able TO deliver their valedictories TO the
jury before the last of next week.
Congressman Breckenridge will continue
on Monday the recital of his version of the
nine years intrigue with Madeline Pol
lard. and he may consume the day in
| rounding out his story, after which he will
pass into the hands of ex-Judge Wilson for
cross-examination. From this inquisition
the followers of the trial are anticipating
their choicest entertainment, for the jurst
and eX- Congressman from Indiana has a
wei-earned reputation as the most trying
man who ever sat before the local bar to
rake witness. He is no respecter OF per-
sons In the courtroom. following faithfully
the rule that all men are equal in the eyes
of the law, and he has an unusual faculty
at planning traps for a witness. leading
him along different lines of inquiry which
seem harmless and then combining their
conclusions therefrOm into one question
Il q o ryia in
light. Miss Pollard and her lawyers have
busted themselves in taking q otes through
out the colonel's testimony. from which
they expect to draw material for the cross
examination.
The Kentucky colony here has been
keyed up 10 a frenzy of anticipation re-
garding the course that Colonel Breckin-
ridge would take in attempting to refute
the testimony OF Mrs. Blackburn. Had
he accused her of msstating facts trouble
ould have been likely 10 follow, for that
lady has friends of her own family who
intended to resent any. reflection upon her
veracity by other than legal methods. No
such con tingency has arisen so far and no
provocatiOn has arisen for breach of the
peace.
For the most part, Colonel Breckin-
ridges account Of the episodes to which
Mrs. Blackburn has been a witness has
agreed with her statements, only he de-
clares the representations of the engage
ment form part of the preconcerIed plan
between him and Miss Pollard by which
the young woman could preserve her repu-
tatioD. OF those passages of the inter-
views of which he has given an account
differing from Mrs. Blackburn's, he has
said automatically that his recollection
differs from hers.
No trouble is expected by the Breckin-
ridge forces from the writ issued by
Speaker Crisp summoning him TO appear
at the House to help make quorum for
the Joy-O'Neill contest. A formal state
ment to the House of exceedingly impor-
tant 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 issued last week.
There will be but little testimony for the
defense after Colonel Breckenridge leaves
the stand. and most Of that will be in the
form of dispositions. The rebuttal for the
plaintiff will come then, in which Miss
Pollard herself will probably take the
stand again. and the old principal of the
Wesleyan College will be called to refuts
the testimony of Rankin Roselle. to whom
Miss Pollard was engaged in 1889.
DR.. Brown will testify that Roselle
could not have come to the college three
times a week, because the rules of the
school, which were strictly enforced, per-
mitted visitors only on Friday nights, and
then in the presence of the teacher, and
that Miss Pollard. having prepared to go
with him to Chicago, was only permitted
to kiss Roselle good-by under the teachers
gaze. After the rebuttal there may be
witnesses for sub-rebuttal, and finally will
come the closing arguments of the attor-
neys. from whom the city is expecting great
efforts at present.
Since the belligerent outbreak at the be-
ginning of the trial the personal relations
between the attorneys have been visibly
strained, although they have for the most
part observed scrupulOus courtesy in the
courtroom. Mr.. Shelby, the law partner
of Mr.. Breckenridge, at whose expense the
papers were disposed to make fun be-
cause of his belligerence, has shown him.
self one OF the most mid-mannered attor-
Deys in the case. Although he has lot
expressed regret for the early action he
has frequently deDlored the necessity for
it, which under the code Of honor which
obt iins in this section made 1t imperative
for him to resent the remarks of Mr..
Johnson.
ONLY AN APRIL FOOL.