The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-22
POLICE COURT BRIDES
Serious Charge Against Two
Attorneys.
JUDGE CAMPBELL INDIGNANT.
Charles Alderman Alleges He Was
Asked for Money
TO BRIDE THE JUDGE And OTHERS.
An Investigation Last Night DisproVes
the Charge Against One Of the
Accused Attorneys.
JUDGE CAMPBELL INDIGNANT.
10 BRIDE THE JUDGE And OTHERS.

T. F. Graham and John A. Harris, the
latter now being the Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney in Police Court 3, were the
centers OF an investigation in Judge Camp
BELLS court last evening. They are attor.
neys, accused by their former client
Charles Alderman, an old man, living a
$50 Jessie street, with having obtained
from him $1,000, part of which was to &c
toward defending him against charge Of
indecent assault and part toward bribing
the Judge and court officials.
The case against Alderman had been re.
duced to committing an indecent act, and
it came on for hearing before the Judge
yesterday. The defendant was put on the
stand, and after giving his evidence the
Judge suggested that the bribery scandal
should be investigated.
Graham was present, and Attorney Pts
telesi appeared for Harris, who was alb
sent. Alderman told his story, and impli-
Gated both Harris and Graham in
the, charge that they had led him
to believe that they would have to bride
the Judge, Prosecuting Attorney and
police. They told him that out of the
$150 retaining fee they would only have
between SIS and $50 each left for them
selves. The conversation took place in an
empty room in his house on Jessie street
on Tuesday afternoon January 8. Besides
himself and the two attorneys Fanny
Harris, known as Fanny, the Fiend,"
was present.
Fanny Harris was called and testified
that she was present at the conversation
referred to. She did not hear anything
said about bribing the Judge or others, but
heard Graham say they would require $500
4 L.
prison doors. She understood it meant to
get bonds for Alderman.
Graham was sworn and positively denied
that he had ever limited or suggested to
Alderman that money was necessary for
bribery purposes. "We got retaining fee
of $780,, said Graham, "and when l saw
him on the Tuesday referred to by Fanny
Harris, which was the last time
l saw him, 1 told him that $500 more
would be needed, as the case might have
to go before the Superior Court. But if we
got him clear in the Police Court, the $500
would have to be paid to us then. The
understanding was that we would defend
him in both courts for the $3.50, which l did
not consider exorbitant."
Policeman Galloway, who arrested Ack-
erman, testified that last Sunday night Ack-
erman met him on Seventh street and told
him his former attorneys had wanted more
other officials, including the police.
Mrs. Mckinley also testified that Acker-
man had told her that Harris had left the
impression upon his mind that the $3.50
was wanted for bribery.
Other witnesses were in attendance, but
as it was past II o'clock the Judge thought
he had had enough of it for the present,
but he would continue the investigation at
another time.
az am satisfied, however" said the
Judge, that nothing unprofessional has
been done by Attorney Graham in the
matter, and l entirely exonerate him
from the charge of attempt at bribery.
'I have also never heard anything until
now against Attorney Harris, and l will
afford him every opportunity of replying
to the accusation against him. But if it
can be proved I shall at once take the
matter into the Supreme Court and move
for his disbarment."
Attorney Harris gave an emphatic de-
NAL to Ackerman's charge of bribery.
Alderman is IA years of age. His first
wife died about nine years ago and shortly
afterward he married again, but was di-
vorced after four or five months marital
troubles.
During the Midwinter Fair he was ar
rested for operating wheel of fortune and
was fined $50. He has sharp, shrewd
countenance, and speaks clearly and
forcibly when aroused.
The further hearing of the charge against
him of committing an indecent act will
take place tomorrow afternoon.