The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-27
Trial of Man Accused Of
Stealing Weyler'S Pet.
II Was a Mock Affair, But
Was Decidedly Amusing.
General Brennan as the Judge Was
Both Acute and Witty.

The mock trial held in Music hall last
night for the benefit of the Cuban cause
was attended by good-sized audience
that seemed well pleased with the alleged
law expounded to them and the freedom
taken with the name and character OF
nearly every man in public life, except
the predecessor of the governor inaugu-
rated at Newport on Tuesday last and tho
alderman from the Second ward. The
references were of a harmless nature and
in many instances created good deal OF
merriment.
Though the charge Of Judge John NJ.
Brennan to the jury was chiefly of
financial nature it contained some good
hits. 1t was particularly severe on At
torney George r. Mcleod, one of the wit
nesses, and on different members of tho
jury. The members of the latter body, on
whom he was decidedly harsh, were Gen.
Kendall, who for the time being was
foreman and as became his profession Of
a militia general, bore the name OF John
l.. Sullivan; and Thomas w Bicknell,
who, for the evening, had done service as
David B. Hill. The other members of the
jury were warned TO pay no attention to
the generals military experience ana to
let Mr. Bicknells trees continue growing
hill. on which they had been planted.
Probably there never was n more par.
tial charge made to "a jury in this city and
some one In the audience remarked at
the conclusion that II there was court
Of appeals to pass upon the charge Gen.
Brennan would be sat upon harder than
Recorder Golf ever was. The jury showed
that the outrageous slandors upon its in
telligence, which would II spoken In Paw
tucket be the cause OF an increase OF live
Judges on the supreme court bench in or
der to get rid of slander business before
1900, deserved a stinging rebuke and the
prisoner got the benefit OF the judges
TRADE.
A Consultat on Held.
There was consultation between the
attorney for the defendant and Chief of
Police Reuben II. Baker just after the
jury retired, the result of which was a
quick return with verdict of not guilty.
Witness Mcleod was recommended for
punishment this recommendation being
"a possible sop to his honor's amour propre.
The prisoner who came out of this try
ing or rather frying ordeal was Philip ;.
Chase 1t was agreed by counsel upon
both sides to take the jury as tney found
it, made uD by the clerk. Former Mayor
Frank +. Olney got round after round
of applause as he took his place on the
panel AS Grover Cleveland. Mr.. BIcknell,
though he answered to the name OF
David b. Hill, denied that he was "a
Democrat. Attorney John w. Hogan,
who represented Gen. Coxey, one of the
attorneys. was desirous of challenging, but
his honor ruled that In the company OF
certain mem bers of the Board OF Alder
men and the city clerk his intelligence
would be sufficiently restrained to pre-
vent him doing any harm.
The trouble was all over rooster OF
the black Spanish breed, known as Gen.
Weyler, ana the first witness called was
William T.. Stone. His testimony was
like his middle name as he translated
it, easy.
He Tod Long Story.
George II. Mcleod told long story and
he so wearied the attorney for the prose.
cution. Charles H. Perry of Worcester.
that the latter let him go IL alone. His
honor mai the ono blunder of the even.
ing that of imposing fine on Attorney
Mcleod of 500, but the the witness, i'm
posing on friendship, asked the court for
the loan of the money TO pay the fine,
his honor got back to his nsoorings and
promptly remitted the fine.
Chief OF Police Baker admitted he was
the only Reuben in his family and told
a good sized yarn.
The prisoner was the first witness called
In his own behalf, by his attorney, Col.
A. w Newton of Worcester.
His testimony, had IL not been for the
judges partial charge, would surely have
convicted him. DIR. Joseph B. johnson
impcrilled his professional standing by
testifying about monomania. Assistant
Postmaster Walker added 10 the distur-
rance of the sound waves in an entertain.
ing way.
Ii was nearly l0:45 o'clock when his
honor directed Court Crior Munroe to ad
journ court, and w. Nj. u. Bowen put
the records and the iury's verdict In u
suitable place.
Previous To the main trial some routine
matters of more or less consequence were
disposed of by the court
The jury that decided so contrary 10
the judges charge, comprised, former
Mayor Olney, John w. Hogan, George
Chatteyton. Edwin Lowe. City Clerk
William r.. Clarke Isaac II. SouthwicS,
Jr. Councilman Angel, Aldermen Rey-
nolus and Little, and City Sergeant
Rhodes.