The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-07-26
NORTH DISCLAIMSC0NTEMPT
TRIAL or TIE PRESIDING ELDER
BEFORE JUDGE GABLE.

Many Clergymen and Other Prominent
Men In Attendance--The Accused Denies
the Contemptuous Language Attributed
to Him and says He Didn't Know He Was
Talking to Reporter His Testimony
Elatly Contradioted by Maguire.
The trial of Presiding Elder Crandan
], North on the charge of contempt in
causing to be published in the Meriden
Journal and other papers of the state
an interview in which he made state
ments disrespectful to Judge Gable of
the city court was heard before Judge
Gable yesterday. The trial began at 10
o'clock and court adjourned at 4;S0
o'clock, it being agreed that arguments
be begun at 10 o'clock this morning.
The city court room seldom contains
as distinguished gathering as that Of
yesterday, many clergymen and other
prominent men being in attendance to
hear the case. The Rev. Rufus T. Coop
er, whose prosecution called forth the
interview I'M which Mr.. North Is alleged
to have committed contempt, was not
present. but the Rev. DR.. A. D. Vail,
formerly pastor of Trinity M. e. church,
the Rev. I. c. Meserve of the Davenport
church, the Rev. DR.. Levy Of the Court
street synagogue, the Rev. William Nc
Nicholl Of the Westville M. E. church,
the Rev. Franklin Scofield Of the Grace
M E. church and the Rev. John H. Ma
som Of the First Baptist church were
there; so were Mayor Hendrick, Coro-
ner Mix, Medical Examiner White, Sam
uel P. Thrasher, secretary of the Con-
necticut Law and Order league, and
many others who dropped in some time
during the proceedings,
The docket having been cleared of
minor cases, that of the presiding elder
was called.
At the outset Attorney Kleiner Of
counsel for Mr.. North filed a plea of
want of jurisdiction, claiming that the
alleged contemptuous remarks, If made
by Mr.. North, were made in Meriden
and not in New Haven.
Prosecuting Attorney Matthewman
expressed his surprise at the raising Of
such a plea, particularly after a plea OF
not guilty had been entered in court.
Mr.. Kleiner denied that any plea had
BEEN made, Mr.. North having only
disclaimed uttering words attributed to
him.
Judge Gable to Mr.. Kleiner--You adj
nit that Mr.. North uttered the words
alleged?
Mr.. Kleiner-No, your honor. We
only assume the utterance and hold that
the offense, If there was an offense, was
committed outside of the jurisdiction OF
the court. On that plea we wish to be
heard.
Judge Cable-I override the plea, and
decline to hear you. The accused is in
my jurisdiction at present.
This point having been settled, the
complaint, with the articles published
was read,
Judge Pickett Of counsel for the de-
PENDANT, Elder North having pleaded
not guilty to the complaint, said that
he thought possibly that the city attor-
ney might desire to amend the com
plant so far as it pertained to the in
timidation of the states witnesses
Judge Pickett thought his client was
entitled to know what witnesses he was
accused of intimidating, otherwise he
could not defend himself on that portion
OF the complaint
Judge Gable was willing to hear coun-
sci on that point, but Mr.. Matthew
man said he would not claim the al
legged contempt against the city attorney
but would try the contempt case on the
words alleged to have been uttered in
Meriden, the rest Of the complaint
merely showing what led up to the con-
tempt.
Judge Pickett wanted the complaint
as to preliminary contempt stricken out
claiming that there could be no con
tempt against the city attorney, as he
was no part of the court in Judge Pick
ett's opinion.
Judge Cable held otherwise and the
trial proceeded, Reporter John f. Ma
guire of the Meriden Journal, who re.
ported the interview with Mr.. North
being the first witness called.
Mr.. Mcguire said he first met Mr.
North at the meeting of the New Ha
ven District Ministers association ir
Meriden, June 4. He met him agar
June 16, when he got off the train a
Meriden He saw him again at the
depot the following morning. when hi
had the interview with him.
Mr.. Mcguire, after reading the in
terview, said that was substantially
what Mr.. North said. S. w. Kent was
present when he first met Mr.. NORTH
on the depot platform, While they
were standing there Mr.. North said tc
the witness:
HYnll arc of the r,ress are vnI1 not 2"
Mr.. Mcguire replied that he was or
the Journal.
Mr.. Kent soon after the question ant
answer walked away, and then Mr.. Ma.
guire asked Mr.. North about the Cooper
case.
Mr.. North told the witness that New
Haven people believed Mr.. Cooper tt
be innocent; that the court had giver
him fair trial, but that the judg'
would bind him over because he would
"back up" the prosecuting attorney ap
pointed by him.
Judge Studley?" inquired Mr.. Ma
guire, not being fdmi;& with thu
names of New Haven court officials.
Gable corrected Mr.. North, WHIT
also corrected the reporters calling tn,
prosecuting attorney Mr.. Matthew
son, instead of Matthewman. The wit
ness said that Mr., North made no re
quest to him not to print his remarks.
Mr.. Kent, Mr.. Mcguire said, heard
no part of the Cooper interview. bu
mother gentleman was present through
out the conversation.
On cross-examination by Judge Pick
EFT Mr.. Mcguire said his responsible,