The herald., 1894-04-13
RARE BEN BUTTERWORTH
His Strong Defense of Col.
Breckinridge.
A Masterpiece of Courtroom
OratOry.
One of the Greatest Speeches Ever
Made in Washington.
PersuAsivs, Dramatic, Friendly, Concili'
atory and ArtfuI-Judge Jsrs Will
son the Next Speaker to
Be Hoard.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated PresG
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE defense
OF Colonel Breckenridge which Major
Butterworth made today is considered
even by his opponents to have been one
of the greatest speeches ever made in
Washington court. 1t was effective az a
masterpiece OF oratory and was made
largely so by the winning personality of
the speaker. Mr.. Butter worth was per-
suasive, dramatic, friendly, conciliatory
and artful.
For nearly nine hours Major Butter
worth carried on the speaking in the
great case. He conjured up the name
OF mother, the fireside and American
womanhood, most effectively making it
appear that all of these forces were en-
listed on the side of his client.
Through all the speaking the white
haired member of congress from Ken
lucky sat facing the jury, much of the
time with his face shaded by his hand,
occasionally nodding assent to the points
mentioned by the speaker.
The slender plaintiff has heard none
of the denunciations of herself, and her
attorneys have sat smiling throughout
the onset of the opposition.
Judge Wilson will consume the greater
part of two days commencing with to-
morrow with his speech for the plaintiff.
Major Butterworth opened the pro-
ceedings in the case today by considera-
ton OF Rhodes letters, declaring u
mystery surrounded them. He con-
sumed much time in pointing out the
discrepancies in minor points OF plain
tiff's testimony.
Then MIR. Butterworth portrayed her
opportunities to elevate herself in Wash
ington. How she should have shrunk
from continuing a life of shame with q
man with wife and family.
Mr. Butterworth argued that verdict
against his client in this case would be
only dagrant inatance of vicerious
punishment. Pollard's testimony, he
said, implied that she was woman of
corrupt life who from choice had held
doubtful relations with Rhodes; who had
had Legitimate children at sundry
places and miscarr ages at others; who
sat at bie table In a union that was the
acme of all that was vicious and con-
temptible. Mr.. Butterworth firmly be-
lieved Gnat she knew of that secret mar
riage in New York on April 10Th.
Alter the noon recess he argued that
Colonel Breckinridge WAS too busy man
to indulge in the constant association
which Miss Pollard had described. He
said MrA. Blackburn had been imposed
upon, and in her natural indignation
had confused the things said to her. The
lying, which both plaintiff and defend
ant had been guilty OF in this connec-
tion, was justified because it was to res
cue q home-reecue woman and help
her to better life.
Proceeding to the second scene in the
Office of the chief OF police, the attorney
declared if the statement of Breckinridge
to the chiei that he had not seduced the
woman; that he had taken liberties the
first night and slept with her the second
had not been true, she would have in
stantly resented it.
The letters which Colonel Breckin-
ridge had written to Miss Pollard after
the alleged engagement in 1898. were
produced by Mr.. Butterworth and
afforded considerable fun, the colonel
himself laughing heartily. Mr.. Butter
worth was unable to decipher them and
declared that a man who wrote such
hand should be punished. Attorney
Stoll tackled them with the same trait
less result. Colonel Breckenridge had
two or three times suggested Better let
me read them" and was finally permit.
ted to do so. He rose, facing the jury,
and re-read the epistes in his effective,
mellew-ton ed voice.
At the conclusion Mr.. Butterworth
told the jury that the inherent ptoba--
bilities arising from the course OF hu-
man nature we're to be considered more
deeply than the statements of wit
nesses. The question was not whether
W. G. P. Breckinridge hal violated any
ordinance, human or divine had been
guilty of turpitude, bringing shame
upon him, but whether these two par
ties had agreed that he was to become
her husband and she his wife.
To awaken horror before the public
there had been tale that Colonel
Breckinridge had led astray a girl--a
guileless little girl-had led her down
the path OF nine years OF immortality to
a marriage contract ruthlessly violated.
The jury was to determine whether
there had been any such guilelees little
girl; whether she had not been mature
and knowing woman. He denied that
the woman came to court to redress a
great wrong. No wrong could be re-
dressed in that. Nor had che wanted
the balm OF money, for she had ssid
there was none. Her motive did not
rise to the quality OF revenge, nor even
OF hatred, but sent abroad to every home
a leaven she knew to be vile, the inal-
ence Of which was measureless.
For what motive does the desperate
woman talk on any stage? She delib
erately turned from everything that
man or woman could desire and pro
claimed her shame.
Is it the right of any individual to
corrupt public morals by the excuse OF
seeking reparation for wrong? What is
there of reparation for wrong but to 90
home to her mothers freside?
"Her early life was not what it should
have beeu," he continued, "but what
her letters showed her to be. 1t would
be said: "Butterworth, you are defend
ing him." but no, he had little family
OF his own, one which had to fight the
battle Of life against fearful odds. No,