The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-20
DICK WILLIAMS
FACES THE LAW,
His Trial Opens in the
United States District
Court.
CHINESE AGAINST HIM.
The Excursions Inspectors Fate
in the Hands of Judge
and Jury.
ACCUSED ON FOUR COUNTS.
His Attorneys Contend That He Is
Not Guilty of Extortion and
Corruption.
ACCUSED ON FOUR COUNTS

Richard S. Williams, the ex-Custom-
house inspector. accused on four indict-
ments with having extorted money from
Chinese and assisted in landing Chinese
at this port, was placed on trial yesterday
in the United States District Court before
Judge Morrow.
Williams was defended by Lyman I.
Mowry and T. G. Coogan, while Barclay
Henley appeared as special counsel for the
prosecution. with Assistant United States
Attorney Slessinger assisting him. Treas
ury Agent Moore and United States Mar
shall Barry Baldwin occupied chairs near
the prosecuting attorneys. Williams him
self sat at one end of the long table beside
his counsel and appeared the least con-
cerned man in the courtroom.
The morning session and part of the af-
ternoon were spent in impaneling a jury,
though there was little difficulty in find
ing men who knew nothing about Will
liams and had no prejudices against
Chinese as witnesses under oath. Every
man examined declared he was willing to
analyze the testimony OF Monaghan and
Caucasian. The jury chosen to try the
case CONSISTS Vi " o.. DeheulCt, Joseph
Simonson. Henry ]. Croker, ]. 4. Cum
ingham, II. n. Tilden, August f. Lawton,
Orlando Bogart, w. B. Bradford, P. s.
Teller, w. T. Y. Schenck, Ben amin T.
Harville and Christian Englebretsen.
Barclay Henley, in his opening state
ment, claimed that the testimony would
show that Williams, while acting as
Chinese inspector for the purpose of as
sisting the Collector of the Port in 1895,
or1il fu Of hQ onfc uvith x.yh;
he is charged in the indictments from the
United States Grand Jury.
The first indictment is that of the land
ing of All Moy, a Chinese woman, in No
weber, 1895. For 500 it was alleged Will
liams landed her. The next charge is that
on September IS last Williams secured the
landing of Chinese named Wong Ling
Choy for stipulated sum. A third in
dictment accuses the ex-Chinese Inspector
of entering into another bargain with his
Chinese agent, this time to land Ching
See Hung for $50. The last accusation is
that of landing Wong Quock Flow for $50.
In each and every case it is charged the
bargain was made and carried out success
fully.
be to large extent from the testimony of
Chinese, but it will be Of such character
that We shall expect OF you, gentlemen of
the Jury, verdict of guilty."
Lyman /. Mowry asked that the indict-
ments be taken up one at time, so that
the jury could intelligently follow each in
dividual case. To this the court replied
that the testimony would be made appli-
cable to each count.
The first witness called was John Lynch.
for the prosecution. Mr.. Lynch is Chi
nese Inspector in this port. He had
known Williams for the past three years.
In September and November, 1895, there
were five inspectors in the Chinese Bu-
reau, and at times extra men were en-
ployed by the Collector to assist the bu-
reau.
.sWhen Inspectors made Investigations
they presented reports to the Collector ?''
said Mowry.
Through the head of the bureau re-
piled the witness.
IAN Inspector could not land Chinese
HIMSELF"
mo, sir"
Nor the head of the bureau nor any In
spector without the order OF the Collector
of the PORT 2"
..No, sir. Either the Collector or his
chief deputy, MIR. Tobin, should give per-
mission"
Barclay Henley took up the case of All
Nov. who, the witness said, made appli-
cation to the Collector of the Port to be
landed. Records of the landing of the
four Chinese were introduced in evidence
identified by Lynch as the official docu-
ments of the Custom-house.
s.Mr. Lynch, was there no further evil
dence in the case of All Moy?" asked
Mowry.
81 don't know, sir: presume it is all
there"
before you file record in your Office
all the evidence is there?'
Eyes, sir"
'In each ofthese cases2"
"Yes, SIR"