The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-26
THOSE ALEXANDRIA CASES.
The Gamblers Plead Guilty and Got Oh
With Light Fines
AND SHORT TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT.
There Are Various Opinions as Regards
the Result and Many Think IL
VIII Stimulate Lawlessncss.
Some Criticism of the Gov
ernor Iudulged.

ALEXANDRIA. VA, Nov. 25.-Early
this morning the old County Courthouse
was alive with towns people. country
people. and many from Washington, all
interested in the trial OF the Heath BROTH
ers Lafontaino Riley. Davis, Slater, and
Walsh. all Of whom. except the last two
named. were either there in bond or as
prisoners awaiting to he bailed. Detcc-
tive Baldwin was on hand with Mr. Leo
nard Marbury. who was to conduct the
prosecution.
The accused were represented by Sam
uei G.. Brent and John Morgan Johnson.
The grand jury met early and found new
indictments in each case, and It was
thought the trial would so over until
Wednesday at least
AN AGREEMENT MADE.
Judge Chichester stated he was ready
for it. however and after brief spell
the prisoners were called on to plead, and
every mothers son Of them plead guilty
as indicted" II was now evident that
despite what had been declared AS 10
mercy being withheld. an agreement he'd
been made between the Commonwealth
Attorney and the counsel of the prisoners,
iB consideration OF this plea, 80 Charles
and Edward Heath who admitted being
the keepers of the house. were fined $500
each and sentenced TO serve two months
In jail. and George Heath. John Heath.
.Ir.. James LafOntaine. James Davis and
Harry Riley, who admitted being en-
- "A a,
and sentenced TO serve ten days I'm Jail.
John Heath, Sr., was discharged, there
being no evidence against him. In pass
ing the sentence Judge Chichester said
he imposed the penalties with the dis
tinct understanding that should either of
the parties named ever again engage I'm
gambling i'm the county the full penalty
OF the law would be inflicted.
The Judge. IT is understood, took into
consideration the fact that 5000 worth
of gambling parapnernalia had been de-
stroyed. and that the house in which the
gambling had been conducted was be-
ing dismanued.
THEY GO TO JAIL
As soon as the order was entered on
the record. the fines were paid and the
prisoners were taken to jail at once.
Robert slater and John Walsh have not
yet been caught. but IL Is believed that
they will surrender 10 the authorities.
Detective Baldwin left for Washington
soon after the trial was over, and will re-
port TO the Governor and take his orders
there.
Perhaps he will give policy-playing hero
and i'm Jackson city and the race-track
places some attention. but now all these
are certainly prepared for anything the
Governor may try 10 do. OF course, this
subject is much discussed here and In
Washington. There are various opinions
as TO the effect the verdict of Judge
Chichester will have. Some openly de-
clare il IS nothing but what has taken
place many times before and that keno
and policy will blossom forth as IT never
has i'm Alexandria county heretofore, and
that not only is Baldwin unable 10 DO
anything in the future. but an army
could not accomplish the desired result
now.
ROTTEN TO THE CORE.
some declare that everything In Alexan-
dria county is rotten to the core. and
none but a defenceloss negro can be con-
yicted Of anything.
old Jack Heath moved about with the
aid of "A crutch to-day, ana was cordlally
greeted and congratulated by many old
time friends TO whom he ~ known IN
passing.
He was about the last Of the Washing
ton crowd to 10 back. / asked him II ne
was going out OF the business now. lie
replied ne was about ruined, bur what he
would do or what he would not do he
really could not tell.
II A. difficult TO sum up the opinions
expressed here tonight OF the Heath ver-
dict. IL was both surprise ana an l
told you So" Lawyer Marbury says ai
he can say is that the court fixed the
matter, and apparently he thinks IL 'he
best that could be done. He declined 10
saw whether his action In the matter
was in the nature Of a compromise or
not, or whether his part was owing 10
instructions from the Governor, or from
Judge Chichester's counsel.
Judge Chichester evidently decideh
consciencitiously He further declares
mat he will break up gambling in Alex
andria county. He Will prosecute ana
drive the gamblers out
CAPTAIN WEBSTER'S OPINION.
Police Captain Webster would have II
thought that little else thOn such fiasco
could be expected from the Governors
plan OF proceeding in this matter, and
that more harm than good Is the outcome
of IL all. The county constables, ne be-
lleves. could have done better even, with
out the iOVefnOi hlu, out MS f>A''i-
leucy having no confidence IN any OF them
or those up this way. ana catering 10
the dictates Of Washingtonians, has sim
ply played his card and lost.
There is some interest centered In the
outcome OF Nelson ard Fosters case, 10
be tried Tomorrow, Nelson being also
charged with taking the paraphernalia
from the old courthouse building, just
after the Palmer raid.