Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-01
The Court Holds the Testimony
Close to the Charges.
THE TRIP DOWN THE RIVER

beside District Attorney Birney, and
prompted the prosecuting officer frequently
in the examination of witnesses.
The testimony given after The Stars re-
port closed yesterday was that OF II. G. &.
Astwood Of New York and Geo. c. Smith.
The former testified as TO his relations
with Mr.. Taylor, it being the purpose OF
the defense to show that Mr.. Astwood had
acted as the agent Of Mr.. Taylor in an
effort to stop the scandals which the de-
PENDANT was believed to be circulating.
Mr.. Astwood admitted seeing Chase In the
interests of peace. but denied that ne acted
as the agent of Taylor. He denied that he
had ever seen Taylor pay Chase money.
but said that Taylor had said that he
would not pay a dollar. The witness also
ments being collected by Taylor. Neither
did he know Of any bargain and sale in
the matter of offices between Chase and
Taylor.
The witness Smith stated that he had
been furloughed by Mr.. Taylor the 31st Of
last August, and several letters from Tay-
lor to him were read, in which 1t appeared
that he had been furloughed because Of his
alleged double dealing with Mr.. Taylor. In
would give up his office before he would by
threats submit to being compelled to make
appointments.
The First Witness.
Miss Kate Moten, q young colored wo-
man. was the first witness examined by the
defense this morning. She was appointed
In the recorders Office in 1884, and left
there November p last, being notified that
her services were no longer needed.
The defense were proceeding to show that
the witness was asked to exert her in
fuence in Quieting certain people, when
Judge Cole ruled that such a showing could
M ho rarfact1y inns fk.r RI
stop scandal in proper manner. said the
court, and 1t was no violation of law for an
executive officer to discharge one not
thought worthy of retention. And, said
Judge Cole, such an officer had the right to
reward by appointments those Of his polit-
ical belief and faith. Unless 1t could De
shown that Mr.. Taylor discharged Miss
Molten because she would not submit to his
unlawful wishes, explained the court, or
unless it could be shown that Mr.. Taylor
had unlawfully attempted to coerce Miss
Moten, the inquiry could not be made.
Political Assessments.
The defense noted an exception to the
ruling, and called Travis Glascoe, a col
ored man. He stated that he was treasurer
of the Negro Democratic League, but he
proved disappointing witness to the de-
Tense, as he declared that he never knew
of MIR. Taylor making any political assess
ments. He was treasurer but a short time
when it was found that ''he was non es-
tus," and he quit.
]. M. Foster, colored the next witness,
stated that he was Endorsed by leading
democrats for a position in the recorders
Office. He saw Mr.. Taylor, in company
with a Mr. c. H. Hooker. Mr.. Taylor said
he should have a place, and sent him to
w. G. Still with a note. He saw Mr.. Still,
told him that he was democrat, and after
saying that he was willing to contribute
an assessment, was told by Mr.: Still that
he could have place. At Stills sugges-
ten he called on P. H. White.
The witness was asked II White had not,
as the agent Of Taylor. demanded money.
But Judge Cole refused to allow the wit
ness to answer. on the ground that White
had not been shown to be Taylor's agent
or representative in tho matter. The wit
Still demanded, in consideration of an ap-
pointment in the Treasury Department, SO
In advance and SO a month SO long as
witness held the position, Stin saying.
Wen go right over and see Carlisle"
On the motion of Mr.. Birney, Judge Cole
then directed that this answer Of the wit
ness be ruled out. on the ground that the
promised position was one not in the re-
that the defendant alone claimed that
Taylor had exacted payment for appoint
ments in the recorders office.
The defense noted another exception, and
to- Mr.. Birney the witness said that while
Mr.. Taylor promised him a place, he never
asked him for money.
willing to Fight Political Charges.
Mr.. F. L. Siddons, member of the bar,
was the next witness called. and stated
that he had called upon MIR. Taylor in con-
nection with the alleged assault by Taylor
upon Mrs. Hill. Mr.. Taylor denied the
truthfulness Of Mrs. Hills charge, but
asked him to spare his CTayior's) personal
character, and not to put him to the neccs-
sity Of calling physician in his defense.
To Mr.. Birney MIR. Siddons stated that
he Investigated charges against Mr.. Taylor
as the result Of request made by the
District Civil Service Association Mr..
Taylor, in denying Mrs. Hills charge,
stated that ne had not the slightest objec-
ton TO a fight being made against him on
political grounds, but prayed that his per-
sonal character be protected. MIR. Siddons
was not allowed to state the result of his
Investigation Of the charges made to the
Civil Service Association.
Michael N. McCary, young colored man,
former employee in the recorders office,
followed Mr.. Siddons on the witness stand.
in July lasL, he said. he was furloughed, and
finally discharged last October. Mr. Taylor
assigned no reason for his discharge. This
witness appeared to be another disapr.oint-
ment to the defense, he failing to state
that MIR. Taylor had asked him to intercede
with the National Capital Bank in relation
to a certain note.
Alex. s. Hooe, the next witness, testified
that he saw Mr.. Taylor once in the corrf-
dor of the city hall talking with a woman.
The woman was adjusting his collar and
necktie.
Ibid you," asked Mr.. Langston, "see
Mr.. Taylor place his hand on the lady's
person.
Before the witness could answer Mr.
Birney asked that the question and the
testimony of the witness be ruled out as
imMaterial and improper.
1.-THE motion Is granted" sharply ruled
the court, and another exception was
noted by the defense.
Tayl0r's immortality Circumscribed.
D. A. Briefs. a colored man, 1ext testified.
He stated that last summer he saw Mr..
Taylor on the Lady of the Lake, and was
asked as to what he saw of visits made to
Mr. Taylor's state room by women.
Judge Cole, however. refused to allow
the question unless the court was assured
that the women were at the time employed
in the recorders office or subsequently was
employed there.
Mr. Langston explained that he did not
know, but desired to show by the witness
that Mr.. Taylor was morally unfit to hold
the office of recorder of deeds. Judge Cole
would not allow the inquiry to proceed, and
the witness, after another exception by
the defense, was excused.