The herald., 1897-12-18

fused to take the oath, but stated that
he would affirm the truth. He told the
story Of his having had to pay 5000 on the
promise of q raise in salary, and later
500 on condition that a man who was
to be furnished by Webb with a position
in the high school janitor force would
be removed and the janitor be given full
control Of his work. There was little diff
ference in his version of the story from
that related by both Axtell and Adams,
both Of whose statements have been
published before. He could not remem-
Der whether at the time the money had
been paid the robbers had mentioned
Webbs name. Since the investigation
began, however, Axtell had come to him
and stated that Webb had received both
amounts. Morris asserted that he and
Axtell had been bosom friends for years
and that he did not believe that Axtell
had secured cent of the money. AK
tell had never previously demanded
money, and when he made this demand
he acted as though 1t worried him great
ly, and asserted that he was acting for
others in the matter.
STULTIFIED HIMSELF
The defense in cross-examination took
NJ a line of questions that must have led
the witness to believe that he would get
off easily, but before they got through
with him they had brought out enough
to disturb his sleep. The cross-examina
ton was long and very severe. Care
fully laying his ground so as to impress
the witness that II he lied under the af-
firmation it was as much perjury as il
he was under oath, Attorney Meserve
made Morris admit that when he had
appeared before the grand jury the first
time he had sworn that no person had
ever demanded money of him, and that
he had never paid money to any per-
son for any purpose of assisting him in
lettering his position. When Morris
learned that the prosecution was cog
infant of the facts as to the matter he
had returned to the grand jury room, he
then admitted that on the former occa-
sion he had perjured himself. The wit
ness was led over the story again and
again, and was repeatedly asked what
had impelled him to testify to a lie be-
fore the grand jury. He finally said that
he had done SO because he desired to
save Axtell. He felt that Axtell was in
trouble. It was for his sake and was too
much for him to place upon the shoulders
of his friend for lifetime. He did
not expect Axtell to tell that he paid
him the money.
The old man-Morris Is 66-was pitia-
BILE object on the witness stand. AS his
testimony before the grand jury was
read to him he paled perceptibly and ex-
hibited great nervousness, but he stuck
to his story Of last night and the state
ment made correspondent exactly with
what Axtell and Adams had sworn to.
Morris admitted that he had queer no
lions Of what constituted bribery. He
could see no wrong In a mans paying
$500, or any other amount, If he wanted
to do 80, The man who collected the
money was the criminal in his opinion.
WHY HE PAID 1T
AS to the manner in which Webb was
controlling the school board at the time,
the witness said that he had heard OF
1t. and had he been assured that the re-
spectacle element there was in control
he would probably have made complaint
of his having been robbed. When, after
weeks had elapsed. and he did mot get
the raise In salary for which he had paid
70 much. he asked Adams what was the
|mattsy. Adams informed him that It