The San Francisco call., 1895-11-03

trial of the most notorious and infamous
murderer that has ever been convicted in
the courts of Philadelphia and probably in
the United States.
II ever the value of a good name would
have been shield and buckler to man
in his hour of peril that man is Holmes.
Ii ever mans black deeds rose up to con-
front and convict him that man is Holmes.
If Holmes had only been in the dock for
the murder of Pietzel it is an open ques-
tion if the prosecution would not have
failed OF conviction, but unquestionably
his bloody record served to condemn him.
The jury was never in doubt. When they
retired from the courtroom they took their
suppers and then a brief discussion took
place. One ballot was taken and every
man voted to convict. They consumed
three hours for their retirement from the
courtroom. but they could have found q
verdict in fifteen minutes if they had so
wished to do.
When Holmes was brought into court
this morning he showed that the strain
was beginning to tell upon him. His
manner showed that he was extremely
nervous. but he did his best to conceal it.
All through the long day, while Mr..
Graham was making his closing argument
and his attorney was making his defense
to the jury, he endeavored to relieve the
tension of his mind by making hurried
notes of the speakers words. When court
opened this morning, Mr.. Rotan, one of
Holmes lawyers, stated to Judge Arnold
that his colleague, Mr.. Shoemaker, was i'll.
He quoted from authorities, purporting
to show that in the event of one of the
counsel in capital case being too i'll to
make his closing argument, counsel on
either side have the privilege of making
but one closing speech. Judge Arnold
dissented from this. Thereupon District
Attorney Graham said he would waive his
right to make the closing speech in view
of Mr.. Shoemaker s illness.
Mr.. Graham then began his argument.
The District Attorney is a man of fine
presence and one of the most eloquent and
impressive speakers at the Philadelphia
bar. But in his address to the jury he
made no attempt to make use Of his ora
torical powers to influence their minds.
His address was simple, clear, analytical
review of the evidence. His forcible cogent
reasoning from the testimony that Holmes
was guilty was terribly convincing. Only
at times did he rise to the height of elo-
quence that he is capable of. In referring
to the testimony of Mrs. Pietzel and Miss
Yoke he poured on the prisoner in the
dock burning words of denunciation and
| contempt. His peroration thrilled his
| hearers in the courtroom.
1t was magnificent appeal to the jury
to be true to their oaths, and if they be-
| lieved the prisoner innocent to acquit him,
| but he charged them that it was his belief,
| in view of the evidence, that Holmes was
guilty. Mr.. Graham spoke for two hours
and forty minutes. Throughout his ad-
| dress Holmes listened attentively, and the
only sign of discomposure that he exhib-
tied beneath the lash of Mr. Graham's in
yective was when it became too strong for
him he would conceal his face by bending
over the table in front of him and writing
hurriedly.
| At the conclusion of Mr.. Graham's ad-
dress recess of an hour was taken. I'm
mediately after the opening of court Mr..
Rotan began his closing argument for the
defense. Mr.. Rotan spoke for an hour and
forty minutes and then Judge Arnold
charged the jury. Judge Arnold's address
was most unfavorable to the prisoner, and
as conviction OF the Judges words forced
themselves upon Holmes mind he shrank
visibly in his seat and a dazed, helpless
look came into his eyes. Judge Arnold s
charge consumed an hour and quarter.