The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-03
ANOTHER HITCH.
Attorney General Dubois Asks for In.
crease OF Number of Grand Jury.

There was another scene enacted in the
bound-to-be famous Lingane-Cook case
this morning. Ii was announced yester-
day that the witnesses who had been
summoned at the opening session OF the
grand jury to give their evidence in this
case had been notified to re-appear .1his
morning at the jury room in the county
court house.
1t was again supposed by every one
that the line OF proceeding was now a
straight one and that all there would be
to the case would be the consideration
OF the testimony of these witnesses and
tho jury's report But again nearly every
one was mistaken for there were some
decidedly novel developments in tjAe case
this morning.
Shortly after Judge Wilbur had taken
his seat on the bench this morning At
torney General Dubois came into court
with the grand jury.
There was much surprise ut this, and
every one was on the alert to see what
new move, II any, was on the board. The
Attorney General quickly set at rest all
surmises as TO what was to be done by
asking for an increase of the number of
members of the jury to %, saying the
requirements of justice made the increase
necessary.
Ii will be remembered that just after
the empa melting OF the present grand
jury, two weeks ago last Monday, the
hltOTHCy otHcIdi bnc Itlutsl,
but Judge Wilbur after argument denie
it saying Is was the number OF members
that had sat on such a jury in Rhode
Island times out of mind and he could
see no good reason for granting the mo-
tion asked for.
Judge Wilbur, when the Attorney Gen.
eral made his request this morning ex-
pressed some surprise saying that a pro-
position to increase the number OF mem
bers OF the grand jury after II had con-
sldered part of the business entrusted to
it had never been heard of in this State
The Attorney General retorted that
there we're cases in Rhode Island where
such action had been taken.
Judge Wilbur replied that the Attorney
General had the courage of his convic-
tions and also intimated that the chief
law officer OF the state was addressing the
court in hardly proper language.
Mr.. Dubois quickly explained that he
intended no discourtesy to the court and
then made a brief argument in support
OF his request.
Judge Wilbur remained firm In his opin-
ion that an increase OF the number OF
mem bers OF the grand jury at this time
would be exceedingly questionable aud
as the jury had completed a good part
of its business he did not see why any
TT Is settled the matter OF an increase of
the number OF members OF the jury.
sTENoGRAPHER WANTED.
Foreman Arlington OF the grand jury
then suggested that mem mbers OF the jury
might be greatly aided in arriving al a
proper decision OF the matter before
them Il they had a stem nographer to take
the testimony of the witnesses that would
appear and give their stories of the trou-
BILE under consideration.
Judge Wilbur said he greatly regretted
that IL would be be impossible to grant
the request Of the foreman.
ANOTHER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
II seems as IL this case was never to run
smoothly for there was a little misunder
standing between the court and the fore
man OF the jury after his honor had de-
MED the Attorney Generals request for
an enlarged jury.
Judge Wilbur said "Mr. Foreman. ~
you have nothing further TO report you
and your fellow members OF the jury are
discharged from further attendance on
the court"
Foreman Arlington, "wc have no fur.
ther report TO make. ~
Attorney General Dubois then spoke up
and said there are witnesses duly sum-
moned before the jury waiting to give
their testimony and the jury has net com
pleted it's labors.
Foreman Arlington said the remark
did not mean the jury's labors were
or ded.
Judge Wilbur said: "In that case you
will consider the order OF the court in
discharging you rescinded ana you will go
10 your room and consider very carefully
the testimony the Attorney General will
submit TO you. There can be no doubt he
is simply actuated in this matter by dc.
sire 10 do his duty az he understands IN.
IL majority OF you are OF one opinion
In regard TO the business before you. il is
the duty OF the minority 10 very careful.
ly consider the evidence and see IL il can
not come to an agreement with the ma
jority. But, gentlemen, give your whole
attention to The case aud see that you
make no mistake"
The Jury then retired and began the
hearing OF the testimony.