Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-05-28
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence OF the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON, Nav 2S.

B~radley's decision yesterday, which
threw the case against Mr.. Havemey-
err out of court, robbed the Searles trial
of much of its interest, despite the as
sertion of District Attorney Davis that
the cases were not analogous and that
the contention set up by the
defense in the Havemeyer case,
upon which the judge ordered
a verdict of ~acquittal returned,
would not hold in the Searles case.
The same lawyers who appeared for
MIR. Havemeyer had charge of Mr..
Searles's defense. Mr.. Havemeyer ia.
by Mr.. Searles's side in the rear OF the
table occupied by his counsel. The
members Of the Senate investigating
committee and other distinguished per-
sons were present. Before the trial be.
gan District Attorney Davis, who con-
Quoted the case for the government,
asked that in the event the trial of the
case was not concluded to-day (al-
though, he said, ne saw no reason why
it should be) that it be adjourned until
Tuesday. He gave as a reason import
ant engagements Of the counsel for the
defense. To this Judge Bradley
agreed. None of the first twelve tales
men were challenged. but one was ex
cused. The indifference of the de-
fendant's counsel to the composition of
the Jury seemed to indicate their con-
hdencc that the case eventually would
be taken out of the hands of the jury as
that of Mr.. Havemeyer's was. The
course followed by the district attor-
ney in the Havemeyer case was re-
peated in the Searles case. The same
documents were introduced to lay the
basis for the trial. The defendants
counsel made no attempt to contest
any of the documents as they did in the
Havemeyer case. Such extracts from
Mr.. Searles's testimony before the SEN
ate committee as the government and
defense desired to be introduced as evil
dence were admitted without protest
from either side. Mr.. Johnson in read.
ing these extracts to the jury laid great
stress upon Mr.. Searles's repeated af
frmation in reply to questions that he
had mo personal knowledge" 1t was
noticeable that Judge Bradley, as these
responses were read, was busily en-.
gagged in making notes and that Mr..
Havemeyer and Mr.. Searles exchanged
significant mods. Senator Gray testi-
fed that he did not believe the ques.
ton asked by Senator Allen was peril
nent and with Senator Lindsay had go
reported to the Senate. II do not be.
lieve it was pertinent" said he,
taken in connection with the
questions he had answered. He
had testified that no money was con-
tributed for national political purposes
aud none with the purpose of affecting
legislation" Judge Bradley himself
put several questions to Senator Gray.
He asked the witness if MIR. Searles
was informed when he declined to
answer Senator's Aliens question that
the committee insisted upon answers.
Senator Gray said he had no indepen-
dent recollection on that point. When
Senator Gray left the stand District At
torney Davis announced that the gov
eminent rested its case. Thereupon
Mr.. Johnson, for the defense, moved,
as in the Havemeyer case, that the
judge instruct the jury to bring in a
verdict of acquittal. He based the
motion on these grounds First, that
he questions Mr.. Searles refused to
answer were relevant to nothing the
committee was supposed to have
been ordered to investigate; sec
ond, that the evidence did not show
that the questions put were committee
questions, 30 that if there was con-
tempt it was simply contempt of Sena.
tor Allen, and third, that the Senate
had no power whatever to put tie
questions even if the resolution a'.tho,
rized them. In referring to the decision
in the Havemeyer case Mr.. johnson
turned to the president Of the sugar
company who was sitting at the de.
fendant's trial and remarked. "Mr.
Havemeyer is so plep.sed with the ad.
ministration of justice in Washington
that he finds it difficult to tear himself
away" The spectators and even the
staid judge laughed outright. Before
the conclusion of MIR. Johnson's argu-
ment he asked for q recess and the
court granted his request. The recess
was taken at 1910 until l o'clock,
The President to-day nominate d
Ferdinand W. Neumann, of Illinois, to
be consul of the United States at
Cologne, Germany, and Max Bouchsein,
of Illinois. to be consul of the United
States at Barmen, Germany. Court ad-
journed till Tuesday without rendering
an opinion.
James B. Baylor of Virginia, of the
coast and geodetic survey, was removed
yesterday and a Northern republican
appointed in his place. The Virginia
republicans here wish it understood in
their State that though they want Vir-
ginia democrats removed from office,
hey only do so in order that their
places may be filed by Virginia repub-
%licans, and that they would infinitely
prefer that the incumbents should re-
maip, if the vacancies caused by their
removal are to be filled by Yankees, as
they still call the Northern men of their
own party.
Among the new members of the
House who will probably become prom
inent in that body is Mr.. James H.
Lewis of Seattle, Washington, who is a
native of Virginia, having been born in
Danville. He is q democrat, and yes
terday forced the Speaker to everse
his own decision in the case of a reso-
luton relative to Cuba.
Senator Cullom to-day presented an
amendment to the tariff bill to strike
out the provision increasing the tax on
beer and inserting a provision making
the tax on all distilled spirits 70 cents
q gallon.