The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-01-28
CONSPIRACY CASES
Formal Opening of the Trial on
the Omnibus indictments
Against Debs ct all.
THE MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
The Only Conspirators the At
torneys For the Defense
Know About.

CHICAGO. Jan. e8. The formal open
ing of the Debs conspiracy trial in the
United States circuit court took place
when the 10 jurors selected were sworn.
Three more defendants put in appear
ance, making 10 of the 38 left on the
omnibus Indictment who are ON trial.
Judge Grosscup ANNOUNCED that after
the opening speech for the defense, the
counsel for the defendants might show
to the jury wherein their clients diff
fered from the positions of the leaders.
Thomas G. Milchrist, one of the special
counsel for the government, opened the
argument.
The Charges.
He said that the directors of the Amer
lean Railway Union were charged, with
others, with conspiring to obstruct and
retard the passage of the United States
mail. He insisted that counsel was not
defending or representing any OF the
railroads, but the government. He then
proceeded to review the indictment as it
set forth the particular overt acts alleged
by the government to have been the re-
Hult and consequence of the conspiracy.
He began with the throwing OF switch
at Blue Island on June 30, by nj. i.
Ervine.
Mr.. Milchaist proceeded with his re-
view of the Indictment, claiming that
the government would prove that con-
spiracy existed between the officers OF
the American Railway Union.
81 General Managers the Conspirators.
Mr. Darrow followed for the defense.
He disclaimed any conspiracy in the
acts of the officers of the A. r. q. or
with the conduct of any of their follow
ers. The strike, he said, was protest
of the railroad employees against the
Pullman Car company's treatment OF
its employees He alleged that if any
conspiracy had been committed it was
by the General Managers associon. The
government, he said, was being used as
a cloak by the General Managers associ-
alton, the only body of men in the
world that sympathizes with Mr.. Pull
man. He added that if the government
did not call the members of the General
Managers association. the defense
would, and the conspiracy would then
be shown.
Opposed TO the Strike.
Mr.. Harper, for John j. Mammalian,
said his client was an officer of the fire.
mems organization, and had, under the
instructions of his superior officer, de-
clined to take part in the strike, and his
overt act as alleged by the indictment
was to call ont some men on the Fori
Wayne road. The facts were that the
firemen were opposed to the American
Railway union, and as great animosity
existed between the two organizations
an between the strikers and railroads
and Mr.. Hannahan's conduct was out oi
regard for the lives of the two mer
whom he dissuaded from running an en-
gine into the camp OF the strikers.
Mr.. Geeting insisted that there wa
no conspiracy between his clients ane
the officers of the American Railwa.
Union, and he read several Of Debs
kilograms cautioning the men not to in
terfere with mail trains.
The other counsel said they would re
serve their addresses TO the jury unit
after the government had submitted it
testimony.
Admission to the court is restricted
the holder Of tickets issued by the cler
of the court. --