Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-06
DRAWING TO A CLOSE
Closing the Arguments in the Slack
Case. .
The Judge VIII Probably Get 1t for
days Arguments by Counsel. I"

The hearing before Judge Hagner of the
petition of the next friend of the children
of the late VIM. H. Slack, for an injunction
restraining all proceedings here and else
where respecting their custody, was not re-
sumed today until shortly before o'clock
this afternoon because of the engagement
of Judge Hagner N the Probate Court.
Upon the resun ption of the hearing to-
day, Mr.. A. s. Worth.ngton addressed the
court on behalf of the mother Of the little
girls. Mrs Mary Kemble Slack, who was
awarded their custody last month by the
New Jersey courts, and who. when Mrs.
Addie Slack Perr.ne, the aunt of the chill
will, removed them to this city. out of the
jurisdiction of the New Jersey courts,
sought here to obtain possession of her lit
tie ones through habeas corpus proceedings
instituted by her last week. Mr.. Jere M.
Wilson, it was agreed, should. on behalf of
Mrs. Perrne, conclude the arguments, If not
this afternoon, then tomorrow morning.
when, it is expected, Judge Hagner will
take the papers and reserve his decision.
Two Arguments.
After The Stars account of the case
closed yesterday Mr.. John w. Bowers Of
New York and Mr.. Edwin l.. Walker of
New Jersey addressed the court, both on
behalf of Mrs. Slack. Referring TO the
incidents at Mrs. Slacks residence after
marked that while it would perhaps have
been best for Mrs. Slack to have in
sisted upon the immediate departure of Mr..
Barry Buckley, when he succumbed to the
effects Of cocktails, champagne and Mr..
McCalmont's tempting mint juleps. the fact
that she did not was due to good nature
rather than to anything else. 1t would
have been best, too said Mr.. Bowers, had
Mrs Slack, when. Mr.. Buckley staggered
VI consciously into her bed room. called
Miss Morrison to stay with her until
The unfortunate Buckley had sufficiently re-
covered to enable him to leave the house.
IGt unfortunately, explained Mr. Bowers.
Mrs. Slack failed to think wisely in the
matter. ard undoubtedly erred in permit
ting the man to remain where he hal
fl Hen. Yet. explained Mr.. Bowers, while
dcne had she seriously reflected, she should
ret be held responsible for anything more
than thoughtl. sSreSs.
Referring to the alleged improper Ian
guage of Mrs. Slack, Mr.. Bowers insisted
that no profanity was ever INDUCED in by
her. although he admitted that il her lam
Suage was violent when she was refused to
even see ner children, it was language no
more violent than any mother would Use
when robbed of the children she gave life
to. The address of Mr.. Walker was de-
voted entirely to a discussion of the juriS-
diCtion of the New Jersey courts in ac-
cording Mrs. Slack the custody of her chill
dren. The children and other parties. said
Mr.. Walker, We're in New Jersey at the
time and the courts there had, therefore,
full Jurisdiction of the bodies of the chill
dren, and hence, in awarding the children
to their mother the courts there had acted
completely within their jurisdiction and
powers. Therefore no court, here or else
where. contended Mr.. Walker, could dis
turb the finding of the New Jersey courts.
MIR. Worthington's Earnest Appeal.
Mr.. Worthington was listened to today
By crowd which crowded tie court room,
and also by Mrs. Slack who was accom-
panied by her brother and by Mr.. and Mrs
Shepard. He spoke with more than his
usual earnestIess and force, and his ref
eronce to the inhumanity of the old En-
slish law, a statute of Charles ii. which,
the other side contends. authorizes a father
to dispose OF ms children by WILL were re-
ceived with murmurs of approval.