Evening star., 1896-12-22
THE vENAL COURSE
Methods Of Administering Justice
Across the River.
MORE DELAYS IN GAMBLING CASES
Mr.. johnson indignantly Refuses
Any Legal Aid.
BONDS FOR WITH ESSES

Another of those farce comedies for
which the courts of justice of Alexandria
county are becoming famous was enacted
at Rose Cottage" about half mile west
of Rosslyn. yesterday afternoon. when the
cases of John Clark. John Lully, John
Gamble, Thurston Johnson and Frank
Forster were supposed to come up for trial.
1t seems almost impossible to get a trial
in the cases of alleged gambling and every
means is used to defeat the ends of JUS
t1ce.
The prisoners were present, the witnesses
ready and all in shape for the trial to pro-
ceed when Attorney John H. Green, repre-
senting the defendants, moved for a con-
tinuance of the case on the ground that he
wished to secure copies of some records in
Baltimore and Washington courts which
would reflect on the character of one of the
witnesses to the defense. Mr.. Green stated
further In support of his motion that he
did not until now know the names of the
witnesses Though 1t is not customary for
the prosecution to give away the names
OF those they will produce in evidence)
Mr.. johnson, the commonwealth's attor-
ney foF Alexandria county, interposed a
very weak objection to continuance. say
ing he was ready for the trial of the case
at once. At this point the fun began.
Judge YarrelPs Request.
Judge Yarrell Of Washington, who is also
member of the Alexandria county bar
and who had been especially employed by
the Citizens League of Alexandria county
to represent them, well as the prosecut-
ng witness arose and asked permission of
Justice Birch to appear in the case with
the commonwealth attorney. He had hard
ly gotten on his feet before Lawyer Greene
tnterposed an objection to Judge Yarrell
W 10
sition In the case?" said Mr.. Greene. Judge
farrell paid no attention to Mr.. Greene
however. but addressed himself to the court
and asked permission to state his desire
which was granted.
Judge Yarrell stated his position, which
was to represent the Citizens League and
the prosecuting witness. who he said was
liable to costs If the case was dismissed
Concluding the judge said: II make this
request of you and hope you will grant it.
l claim 1t as right. and If it is not right
l ask 1t as a favor"
Hardly had these words gotten out of his
mouth before Mr. johnson had cast aside
the butt OF half-smoked cigar and was on
his feet.
Fiery Addresses.
Mr.. johnson said: With all due respect
to my friend here. your honor is fully aware
that for the past two years l have been
treated with the utmost contempt in the
prosecution of all these cases, from the
SoNSi ioi NoWH. nave at last made
mind to represent the commonwealth of
Virginia in the prosecution of these cases.
and do not desire the assistance of any
man. do not think the gentleman is
treat1ng me with proper courtesy when he
attempts to force himself on me in the
prosecution of these cases. 1t is simply
a trick to take the prosecution of these
cases entirely out of my hands, and as long
as am prosecutor In Alexandria county
L propose to exercise that right until i
am removed or my term expires. When |
want the assistance of anybody l will do
as l have heretofore done. select some one
myself Not only that, have assistant
here in the way of one of the best lawyers
or Alexandria city, who is ready to assist
me IN the prosecution of any case 1 may
desire"
which was truly grand burst of eloquence,
and delivered with dramatic effect, Judge
Yarrell Immediately arose and disclaimed
any discourtesy to Mr.. johnson, telling the
court that he had i'm all fairness requested
This privilege of Mr.. Johnson before the
court convened, and, being curtly re-
fused, had informed Mr.. johnson that per-
mission would be requested of the court
Justice Birch ruled against the appearance
of Judge Yarrell in the case. Judge Yarrel
asked that note be made on the records
for test case as to the rights of attor-
neys.
Lawyer Green then renewed his motion
for continuance of all these cases which
was granted on the affidavit of one of the
defendants. Judge Birch allowed the
motion, and the case was fixed for January
IL, 1897, at o'clock
Higher Bonds.
Before the court adjourned Mr.. Johnson,
commemorative attorney, said: Now, l
am going to submit a motion in reference
to this matter. 1 am going to ask that
the bonds of the parties be increased from
800 to $500 in each case l do not think
SlOo bonds are sufficient. / am also going
to ask your honor to put these witnesses
under a $500 bond for their appearance
here when wanted. The reason why 1 do
this is that there have been a dozen cases
in which witnesses have come over here
and sworn out warrants and when the
cases were called for trial did not appear,
and as these are nonresident witnesses l
ask to have them put under $500 bonos for
their appearance"
This was DONE and the unusual spectacle
Of one prisoner going on the bond of the
other was presented. John Clark, one of
the defendants in the and the pro-
prietor of the white House. at Ross;yn,
which resort has grown famous and which
was raided a few nights ago and 81, 900
worth of gambling paraphernalia found
there, went the bond OF John Lully.
John Gamble and Thurston johnson, and
J. Marriott Hill of Alexandria went bail for
Clark and Frank Foster
The Citizens League of Alexandria coun-
ty will push these and all other cases to
the full extent of the law, but they are
Sadly handicapped ior money with Wnlch
to meet necessary expenses. which are, ef
course, heavy. One Of the gamblers re-
marked yesterday: They can't beat us:
we have too much money for them"
Dangerous holes reported by the police
today were in front of 1903 Goth street. at
mouth Of alley on D street northwest be-
tween 9th and 10th streets, in front of 11O6
I'd street northeast, Connecticut avenue and
Goth street, and in front of 1924 West alley.
a$s . - = ~ 4 4 t.s = = t t. Q - - e +%%SS*
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