The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-12
SATTERF|ELD GUILTY
Jury Decides He Was Unlaw'
fully Negligent.
PERMITTED THE ENROLMENT
The Principal Clerk Found Guilty on
the First Count in the Bill of In
dictment--Will Probably be
Sentenced Monday.

At seven o'clock last evening the
| jury in the Satterfield case brought il
averdictof guilty" as to the first
| count in the bin of Indictment.
Mr.. Thomas Purnell opened for the
defense yesterday morning in speech
an hour and a half long.
lie began his speech by charging
that the solicitor had apologized for
imposing this prosecution on the peo-
pie of Wake county.
He contended that no willful negli-
gence or corrupt act had been shown
against the defendant and argued that
some designing person had gone and
possibly stolen the tabled bill out of
Satterfeld's office and procured it to
be enrolled. He argued further that
it would have been folly on the part
of Satteriield to voluntarily show
Smith the tabled bill if it had been his
intention to corruptly procure its en-
rollment.
He insisted that Smith was mistaken
about the conversation that occurred
between him and Satterfield on the
floor Of the House. He argued that it
was possible that one of Satterfield's
subordinate clerks might have accom-
plished the wrong, and suggested,
with considerable significance, that
some young lady"-he would not say
Miss Branson, had been induced"
to copy the bill.
lie made a smooth and adroit speech.
While he developed no positiev way as
to the manner in which the enrolment
was accomplished his speech
was fertile in suggestion,
showing how it might have been ac-
complished.
THE SOLICITORS ARGUMENT.
In commencing his speech Solicitor
pou apologized to the jury for the ex-
tent to which Mr.. Purnell's zeal had
carried him, held up the presentment
of the grand jury made at the July
term against Satterfield and demanded
of Mr.. purnell repetition of the
charge that he had apologized for
''saddling" any prosecution on the
people of Wake county. He further
read from the decision of Judge Fair
cloth in regard to this same Assign
ment Act" when it came before the
Supreme Court. In this Judge Fair
cloth said:
IF crimes are perpetrated in leg
islation the authors are liable and can
be punished as other violaters of law,
and possibly a reasonable and honest
effort by the proper authorities would
bring to light the authors of the
wrong"
He further quoted from the dissent
ing opinion OF Judge Clarke in this
same matter. ''The act of a corrupt
and hired william, whose proper place
is in the penitentiary, should by no
process of reasoning or refinement of
logic, be imposed on the people in ex-
pressed contradiction to a vote of
their General Assembly"
The solicitor argued that, in the
light of the evidence, with these ex-
pressions from the highest court in
the State, he was performing a sim
pie duty that the law imposed on him.
He coliated all the facts which point
ed TO the guilt of the defendant. He
argued that a lie was stamped on the
back of the bill: that the defendant
had carefully endeayored to cover up
his tracks by making in the journal
no entry of the tabling of the bill, and
that he took no receipt from the en-
rolling clerk; that he was seen going
to the enrolling clerks Office by Smith;
that shortly afterwards the bill was
found enrolled and thereafter found its
way back into the possession of Sat
terrified; he argued that Smith of
Stanly could not be mistaken, and that
if he was not mistaken, then Satter-
field was corruptly guilty.
He eulogized Miss Branson as having
told the simple truth.
*'As she walked in and out Of the
halls OF legislation, from the presence
of faithless and corrupt officers" he
said, among hired lobbyists, she had
been uncontaminated.
'The flowers cast down from Para
disc by the Virgin Martyr were not
only surprising in beauty and fra
GRANGE, but possessed great power of
healing. So it is with the evidence Of
Miss Branson. Amid all the pollution
and corruption that hoyers around
this trial, her evidence bears the inn
print of truth, and is purifying and
inyigorating amid all it's surround
ings."
lie denounced Satterfield and Stan
ford for claiming that a Legislative
bill was public property, and for per-
hitting lobbyists to take charge of
their Office, warned the jury that it was
time to put an end to these corrupt
practices and concluded by telling
them that he had tried to do his duty;
that the responsibility was on them;
that the State and nation looked to
thorn IN RETURN n healthy verdict
which would purify the atmosphere
and vindicate the majesty of the out
ragged law.
JUDGE MOWERS CHARGE.
Judge McIver charged the jury, as
to the first count, that they must be
satisfied from the evidence beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant
wilfully, unlawfully and negligently
caused or permitted the tabled bill to
be enrolled; that if they should SO con-
clude they must find him guilty on
this count.
AS TO the second count, that if the
jury should find, beyond reasonable
doubt that the defendant "corruptly
and fraudently" procured the bin TO be
enrolled they should find him guilty
on the second count.
| The charge was a clear, succinct
| statement of the law. 1t was delivered
| in an impressive manner and made q
profound impression. 1t was impair,
| tial and the Judge warned the jury Oh
| the importance OF the issue to be de
cided and cautioned them not to fine
| the defendant guilty unless the State
had made out it's case beyond a reason
| ahln douhf