Evening star., 1897-03-08
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
Capt. Hart, Convicted Of Filibuster-
ing, Sentenced.
TO Be IMPRISONED Two YEARS
Taken to Prison Immediately After
the Announcement.
Be IMPRISONED Two YEARS
REFU SED A NEW TRIAL

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, March S.-Capt.
John d. Hart. who was recently convicted
of filibuStering against the Spanish govern
ment in connection with the steamer Lau-
rada. of which he is the owner. was today
refused a new trial by Judge Butler in tie
United States district court ard sentenced
to two years Imprisonment, fine OF 500
and to pay the costs Of the prosecution.
He is to stand committed until the fine and
costs are paid. The cost of the prosecution
will amount to nearly, II not quite, So.U;U.
Captain Hart was taken to 3rson imme-
diately after the sentence was pronounced.
In refusing a new trial, Judge Butler said
the only debatable question in the courts
opinion was whether Captain Hart had fur
nished the Laurada. knowing at the time
that she was to carry a military expedition
to Cuba to fight against the Spanish gov
ernment, and whether he had knowledge
OF the military character of the expedition
The court said that If the cargo was one
not prohibited by our laws he would have
had no reason to conceal his identity with
the movement In concealing his identity
1t was apparent to the court that 1t was the
Intention of the defendant to evade the laws
of this government. His interest in getting
the men who embarked on the LauraGa to-
gether showed that he had n knowledge Of
the character of the expedition.
Judge Butler. in referring to the newly
discovered evidence. said the testimony of
the two Atlantic City witnesses was in
credible. 1t injured the case of the de-
fendant and showed an attempt to bribe tho
government witnesses and break down the
case of the prosecution.
capt. Hart was then commanded by the
court to stand up. Judge Butler, after a
monentary pause. said:
Il All sorry to nave 20 sentence you. AS
| have already said. 1 believ. yen have
been justly convicted after. most fair and
impartial trial The CffenSe is very grave
one. 1t involves national honor and the
national peace. You entered upon it with
your eyes wide open, with full knowledge
OF its gravity. You did it for the unworthy
purpose of pecu1iary gain. You took the
risk for the price and you must now bear
the consequences. / do not believe you
belong to the criminal classes. and l am
sorry L have got to punish you. At the
time you committed the offense the law
was well known and it Is the duty of the
court to severely punish you. 1t is the
sentence of the court that you pay $500
fine to the government. the cost of the
prosecution and undergo a sentence Of two
years in prison from today and stand CON-
mitted until the fines are paid
Capt. Hart's wife and two other female
relatives and many business men off OF
Delaware avenue. with whom Mr.. Hart
has been associated for number of years.
We're III court when the sentence was an
ncunced. The women broke down and were
led from the room weeping. His business
associates crowded about the prisoner as
he was led into the deputy marshafs office
and offered their sympathies.
Capt. Hart is about forty years of age
and has been in the fruit importing busi-
| ress for nearly twenty years. Shortly
after the Cuban Spanish war broke out
he leased two of his steamers. the Laurada
and Bermuda. to the Cuban patriots for
the transportation of arms, ammunition
and men to Cuba. Some of the largest
expeditions that touched the shores OF
Cuba were shipped on these vessels and
their departure was due in ii great meas
IRE to the skillful manipulation of the
| steamers by Capt. Hart. Capt Harris
| family consists of a wife and two daugh-
| ters, Laura and Ada, after whom the Lau
rada Is named.
Counsel for Capt. Hart have not yet de
cided whether they will appeal to the
United States Supreme Court or present a
petition for a pardon to President Mckin-
ley.