The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-23
HE FINED THE OFFICERS.
RESULT OF THE INVESTIGA TON
or THE GOLD-BRICK JURY.
sheriff solomon and Deputy Fnss'll faid
s5O Zach and Depuiy-Clerk Lsrus
Paid s25.

Judge Wickham yesterday gave MS w.
cision In the case Of the county officials
charged with contempt OF court He hned
Sheriff Solomon and his deputy. Mr.. Lew
Russell. so apiece. but dismissed the RUE
against Special Deputy W. T.. holo9-
worth. In the case Of Deputy Clerk Larus'
who was charged with invading the PRIV
acv Of the jury-r0om, a fine or - was
levied. The officers We're called before
Judge Nickham in the courtroom
PROMPTLY at 10 o'clock. After consuming
some time n hearing the answers OF lhe
different officers against whom the ili'7
were ISSUED. the Judge gave ms deDl'loi7'
In doing so be- said that DE ala not De-
Vcve that there had been corruption "i
fraud Of any character practicod Boy any
PARTY conuccto. with the trial OF olh.i
wise. Hc did consider. however. that the
negligence OF the officers and the inlls-
Greet conduct of Mr. Larus was or such
"a nature that the court could not over
look IL with proprety. Tie deemed IL ms
official duty 10 take such steps as Would
guard against re- .urrence OF suon
serious negligence. IN the case OF MI
Holdgworth. who was sworn in as spe-
cial officer. the Judge thought that the
facts as relating 20 him G.d not call for
the punishment due the regular officers.
Judge Wiokham said that the imposing
of the fines was "a disaefeeahle task pNl
that he considered it his duty. and ne
was forced TO DO it. The fines were p"il
by the officials.
SIR IAuus' AN,wER
The written answer Of Mr.. W. T. Larus
10 the rule calling upon him 90 show
cause why be- should not bc fined Tor con-
tempt of court reads as follows.
ga. ID
said rule. says that hc never wlliully or
knowingly disobeyod amy order of said
court. or has been guilty of any conduct
which he believed to Doe in contempt
thereof As 90 the specific charge OF 'h-
fcring the room boo which the jury charged
with the trial of Parker was kept. ana
hOlsing communication with them i'i-
ativc to said trial. This respondent says.
"rhat on the night mentioned in said
rule he went 90 the Exchange Hotel py
appointment with Mr Russell. One of the
deputy shcrims. with whom he had AN
enlargement 20 go ont for The evening
and that they went ont together. return
ing about 1890. that when they reached
the hotel Nil Russell suggested to your
respondent 10 spend the night with him.
as The street-cars were not running. and
YOUR respondent lived al "a considerable
distance from the hotel 20 which your
respondent agreed While your rcspNll-
cnt the Sheriff Mr. Russell. and five of
the jury were iu the room together your
RESPONDENT remarked iu testing way
that 10 was rumorod AT the courthouse
that the jury stood eleven for acquliial
and one for conviction, and that Air.
Withcrs would give $50 if the other one
would come over. us Doc wanted tO go
away Your respondent di4 not address
this remark tnolgltlc-sly made 90 amy
person in particular. nor did he DESIRE
believe. or intend that DO could or would
exercise amy influence ou the jury. The
Sheriff. Mr. Solomon Immediately told
your respondent that If hc said anything
about the trial Doe would have 10 leave
the room. and thereafter nothing was
said ly any one Boz any way relating to
said trial. soon after all retired your
respondent sleeping with Mr. solomon.
This IS all this respondent has done, and
Dee respectfully submits 90 the court that
hc had u0 idea that Doe was saying or
doing anything improper or that Dee was
guilty OF any contempt of this honorable
court The remark which lId not touch
thc evidence in the case or carry any iiea
of The state Of the opinion or sentiment
of the public, was th0ughtcssly made
ana regretted as soon as uttered. 10 was
not the result OF the desire or intent to
iunGcucc the jury. or To acquaiut them
With Tine Views oi and opinions of tAe
public. but fhouehtlc--Uc-s. and your re-
srondcut regrets deeply that 10 was mace.
Your respondent hopes that this state
mont. freely and frankly made. will BE-
sufficient 90 cX0nerate him from this
charge. and 90 satisfy the court that be-
has not wifully or knowingly dlsrecardel
i,s orders coz been 200 contempt there
Of And now having fully answered. ne
rrays that said rule may Doe discharged.
10 is the general opinion about tie
courthouse that Judge Wickham has set
a. precedent which VIII have whole
some effect thoueh some are inclined Co
think that tho Judge was little too See
we're ON Ieuufv clerk I4rur