The herald., 1894-04-12
THE BRECKENRIDGE CASE.
Col. Phil Thompson Closes
His Speech.
Major ButterwOrth Begins His
Plea.
Spectators Applaud His Eulogy of the
Defendant.
Judge Bradley Clears the Court Room for
This Breach Of Oscornm SIiss
PolIard's Character Again
ABsalIed. =
B, the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON, April 11.--Ths local de-
msnd for oratory was largely Statistic
today by the finishing Of Col. Phil
Thompson's speech in the Pollard
Breckinridge trial and the beginning of
a plea by Major Butterworth. Although
Major Butterworth talked moro than
half the day, he progressed no farther
than the frat relation between his client
and Madeline Pollard back in 1884. His
whole argument was devoted to the
point that tho young woman had not
been the pure aud unaophisticated girl
of II when the silver-hared congress-
man met her that she had represented
herself to be. 1t was strong display of
oratory.
There was an interesting incident dur
ing the morning when Judge Bradley
carried into execution the threat that he
made several times of clearing the room
OF spectators. Major Butterworth had
been painting glowingly the virtues of
his client, whose friendship ne had en-
joyed for many years, and was declaring
dramatically that no man to whom Ben
ButterWorth had been q friend in his
prosperity would be deserted by him in
adversely, when several men broke into
applause. The Judge Immediately or
dered all who were not members of the
bar to leave the court.
Colonel Thompson resumed his speech
against Madeline Pollard when court
convened today. He first dwelt on the
improbability OF a formal proposal OF
marriage from Colonel Breckinridee to
plaintiff in the fall OF 1892, and declared
hers was the act of woman who felt that
if she could not marry him she could
disgrace him. In vehement manner
be pictured what must have been the
agony Of the congressman with the
plaintiff following him around, compeil-
ing him TO tell Mrs. Blackburn they
were to be married. "She was a walk
ing arsenal" said the lawyer. Thomp.
son closed With an appeal to the jury to
return verdict according to the law and
the testimony.
Major Butterworth, whose mild man
ner Is in great contract with his col
league, began his remarks by expressing
qualification that the trial must soon be
brought to an end Upon those who
were to blame for being before the pub
lie the burden must rest. There was no
wrong to be righted by this suit. Even
to save the lives of the two nominal
principals the judiciary of the court
could not afford TO deal with the mass of
contagion. He would not use harsh
language to Mas Pollard, but he would
that some one had Whispered into her
ear the words, $50 and sin no more"
Butterworth spoke of his long ac-
quaintance with the defendant, and his
lAudstion of the defendant was followed
by applause from the spectators. Judge
Bradley raped on his desc. Now you
may clear the court room," he said to a
bailiff. I'VE have had enough outrages
in this court room" No one stirred, at
which the Judge said: every one not
a member Of the bar will have to leave
the court room"
several men got up and started, when
one elderly spectator inquired: "Does
that apply to members of the bar from
away? l am a lawyer from New York"
81 take it fer granted no attorney
would disgrace the court with such
demonstrations. All lawyers from out
side the city are welcome here, but there
are others sitting here not members of
the bar to my knowledge"
More men were ushered out by the
bailiff, but more than half OF the spec
tatOIs remained.
lDdn MI. DulbtTWOTGu I6VloW6Q the
childhood of Miss Pollard az described
by herself. He was not here to exten-
uate the conduct of Colonel Breckin-
ridge if he did, he knew the colonel
would discharge him from the case. The
country had been solicitous about a 16.
year old school girl, but there WAS no
such person in the case. Ii che had
been but l6, she WAS as much skilled in
lovemaking as any woman he had ever
known. He paid tribute 20 the bravery
of Colonel Breckenridge and declared
that the Jury knew that he was such a
man at heart. Ii Colonel Breckinridge
smiled the people said he was a mon
ster. When he looked grave, they said
he was shamming. But if Miss Pollard
laughed, they said: Behold she smiles
even through q veil OF tears"
Judge Bradley interrupted, saying
"Mr. Butterworth, don't you think you
had better con6ne yourself to the evil
6ence in the case. All this is what you
have heard outside and has no coanec-
tion with the case"
After this, Butterworth spent an hour
reading Pollard's early letters and dis
cussing testimony to show that when
she met the defendant she wes not The
unsophisticated country girl she had
represented herself to be.
1.-The instincts of virtuous woman
would have led her TO say; Get out,
you leper,'" Mr. Butlerworth shouted,
rushing down the aisle toward his client
tiercely, "but no; she had arranged to
meet him the next day
He pounded one OF the JURORS on the
knee as he reproduced, with mixed met
aphor, the still small voice crying loudly
in the name OF her mother, TO shrink
back from this man. The next day the
colonel had taken her to an assignation
house.
Think OF it." the lawyer shouted
II have thought OF it," Mr.. Wilson
replied.
Mr.. Butterworth slapped three jurors
on the knee.in succession as he rehearsed
Miss Pollard description OF the colonel's
fatiery.
You legez." he shouted to the colonel,