The Washington times., 1894-04-12
BUTTERWORTH'S ABLE PLEA
Arouses His Auditors to an Enthusi-
asm Which Could Not Be Checked.
CLOSE OF THOMPsON'S SPEECH
Marked Contrast in the Tone Of the Two ex-
congressmen-Judge Bradley's Orders the
Courtroom Cleared-Mr. Butterworth Will
Continue His Argument To-Day.

|
satisfied yesterday by the finish of Col. Phi
Thompson's speech in the Pollard-Breckin
ridge. trial and the beginning OF plea by
Major Ben Butterworth, another ex-membel
Of Congress.
| Beginning is said advisedly, for although
Major Butterworth talked more than half oi
the day, he progressed no further than the
first relations between his client and Made,
line Pollard back in 1884. His whole argu-
ment was devoted to the point that the young
woman had not been the pure and unsophisti-
Gated girl of II when the silver-haired col
onel had met her that she had represented
herself TO be.
1t was strong display OF oratory. His
speech was free from the vulgarities in which
Col. Thompson dealt, was as clean presen-
tation of such a case as could have been
made, and was proportionately well received
by his audience.
There was an interesting incident during
the morning when Judge Bradley carried into
execution the threat he several times made OF
clearing the room of spectators. Mr.. Butter
worth had been painting glowingly the virtues
of his Client whose friendship he had enjoyed
for many years. and was declaring dramati-
caliy that no man whom Ben Butterworth had
been friend in his prosperous days would be
deserted by him in adversely, when several
men broke into applause.
The judge Immediately ordered all who
were not members OF the bar to leave the
courtroom.
Only q small proportion of the spectators
removed themselves in response to this order.
Soon afterward the judge again took hand
in the case, admonishing Mr.. Butterworth to
contine himself to the evidence in the trial
| when the speaker was relating the comments
that were being made by the public on the
appearance of the principals in court. 1t is
probable that Mr.. Butterworth will consume
all OF to-day in rounding out his plea, and
Judge Jere Wilson is expected to occupy not
less than two days in his closing speech.
Col. Phil Thompson resumed his speech
against Madeline Pollard when the court met
yesterday. He first commented on the I'M
probability of the formal proposal OF marriage
from Col. Breckinridge TO the plaintiff in the
fall Of 1892. in the light OF her claim that he
had previously promised to marry her II his
wife should die.
at was the act of bawd, the act of a woman
who felt that If she could not marry him she
could disgrace him." was the lawyer characters
zation of the suit. In his vehement way the
| colonel pictured what must have been the agony
OF the Congressman with the plaintiff following
]
Black burn that they were to be married
''she was walking arsenal said the lawyer
again Talk about kentucky colonels and
turning up coat tails here in this courthouse 10
see If there were pistols. Did you see the look
| on that womans face when she came into this
courthouse. Why was afraid 10 sit beside the
colonel for fear stray bullets might hit me"
Col. Thompson closed with an appeal to the
| Jury to return a verdict according to the law
and the testimony.
Major Butterworth. whose mild manner is
in great contrast to that of his colleague be-
| gan his remarks by expressing qualification
| that this pestilence must soon be brought 10
an end. But the vile contagion would not
disappear from the hearthstones OF the coun-
try Tor a hundred years. Upon those who
were to blame for bringing it before the pub
| lie the burden must rest.
He had been informed that the Mexican
newspapers had paid $4,000 for obtaining
| the news of the trial. and that the European
| papers, so far as possible, had dlsinfected It.
| There was no wrong to be righted by this
suit. Even to save the lives of the two nomi-
nal principals the incorruptible judiciary
OF the country could not afford &c
deal with such mass Of contagion. nor
should the hearthstones of the coun-
try have been invaded by it for any pur-
pose. He knew Miss Pollard, and OF her lie
| would not use harsh language. but he wished
that some one had whispered into her ear the
| no more
She never seemed to have heard those
| words.
Some people had been solicitous for fear
his (Butterworth's friendship had been mis-
placed He had known the defendant as
| statesman, soldier. father, husband, and
friend, land you may speed it on the light
nings that to whom Ben Butterworth was a
friend in the days OF his prosperity he will
| not turn his back on in adyersity." "
This statement was followed by an out
break of applause from spectators.
Judge Bradley leaned forward and raped
his desk, Now you may clear the court
room," he said to the bailiffs. I'VE nave had
enough of outrages in this courtroom
No one stirred. and then Judge Bradley
said, Every one who is not a member of the
bar will leave the courtroom"
Several men got up and started out, when
one elderly spectator inquired: docs that
apply to members of the bar from away. /
am u lawyer from New York"
II take it for granted that no attorney would
disgrace court by such demonstrations All
lawyers from outside the city are welcome here,
but there others sitting here that are not
members of the bar, to my knowledge.
More men were ushered out by the bailifs,
but more than half of the spectators re-
mained.
Then Mr. Butterworth proceeded to review
the childhood of Miss Pollard, as described
by herself.
Mr.. Butterworth himself has as much at
stake as the honored counsel for the plaintiff
He had daughter and wife. He could
not afford that justice should not be done.
He was not there to extenuate the conduct Of
Col. Breckinridge; if he did he knew that the
colonel would discharge him from the case