Evening star., 1897-06-07
SHRIVER TRIAL DEFERRED
The Absence of Important Witnesses Causes
Postponement.
Proceedings Against Correspondent
Edwards VIII Follow That Case
Attorney Davis Predictions.

Because of the unavoidable absence of
two of the government witnesses, the trial
of Mr.. John s. Shrive-. the Washington
representative of the New York Mail and
Express, charged with having, in May.
1884 refused to answer question asked
him by the Senate's sugar trust investi-
eating comihittee. was postponed this
morning until Tuesday, the 18th instant
Mr. Sh:ver is the fourth of the indicted
witnesses to be called for trial. the indict-
ment laving been returned against him
July 3. 1904 The first of the alleged con-
tumacous witnesses. Mr.. Elverton r.
Chapman. was convicted in February, 1896,
and was sentenced by Judge Cole to pay
a fine of $1oo and be imprisoned in Jail FOR
thirty days. the minimum sentence, which
term OF Imprisonment Mr.. Chapman will
complete at midnight thursday next. Pres
ldent Havemeyer Gnd Secretary Searies of
the so-callti sugar trust We're tried last
month their acqLfttal being directed by
Judge Bradley.
Publication of the Story.
MIR. Shriver. il will be recalled, wrote to
his paper in May, 1894. an account of an
alleged conference between representatives
OF the sugar trust and members of the
Senate committee having in charge the
sugar schedule of the Wilson tariff bill,
which is said to have taken place at the
Arlington Hotel about that time. Mr..
Shrlver was summoned before the inveSti-
eating committee OF the Senate, and when
requested by the chairman of the COM
mittcc. Senator Gray of Delaware. to & re
the name of his informant, declined TO DO
SO, although he stated mat he was Il men,
Der of the House of Representatives,
Wnen Judge Bradley this morning took
his seat upon the bench the court room
was crowded by members of the bar and
other interested parties. Senators Gray
of Delaware, Lindsay of kentucky and
Davis of Minnesota, members of the in
yestigating committee, were also present,
having been called witnesses for the
prosecution. The attendance of news
paper men was particularly large, every
newspaper of any prominence being repre-
sented.
MI. Shriver. smilingly confident of a
speedy acquittal. was accompanied by his
counsel eX-Judge Dittenhoefer of New
Ork and Mr.. Jere NJ. Wilson of this city,
the latter having been of counsel for Mr..
Chapman Mr.. Chapman occupied seat
in the witness room. having been sum-
moned as 4 witness for the defense.
Although much paler and seemingly hay
ing lost weight since his incarcera-
ton. Mr.. Chapman declared that he Is
feeling splendidy. He said he had no
jall, or. indeed about anything else, but
he assured his friends that he will lose no
considerable time in leaving the prison
upon the completion of his term.
Mr. Davis Request.
The government was represented by Dis
trict Attorney Davis and Assistant District
Attorney Baker, as i'll the Havemeyer and
Searles trials, and when Judge Bradley
directed the trial of Mr.. Shriver to proceed,
Mr.. Davis stated to the judge that he felt
himself compelled to ask for a postpone
menr of the trial. Two very important
witnesses for the government. Senator
Ledge of Massachusetts, member of the
investigating committee, and Stenographer
Boswell. VINO took the testimony befo.e the
committee, We're unable to be present to-
day, Senator Lodge being absent from the
city and Mr.. Boswell being ill.
They are Indispensable witnesses, ex-
planned Mr.. Davis, aad while they might
be able to appear next Thursday, counsel
for the defense preferred that the trial be
postponed until the 18th instant.
Judge Ditteuhoeter said that while they
were ready and very desirous of an i'm
mediate trial, the defense felt that it would
be ungrdcious to oppose the district attor-
ney's request, and they would, therefore,
consent to the postponemcnt to the day
mentioned by Mr.. Davis.
Judge Bradley suggested a postponement
to an earlier date. but Mr.. Davis explained
that tomorrow week would best suit the
convenience of both sides. and Judge Brad
ley set the trial down for the 10Th instant
Proceedings VIII BE Brief.
Mr.. Davis stated that the trial will De
concluded in two days al least, and that
of Mr.. E. Jay Edwards the Washington
correspondent of the Philadelphia Press
who is similarly charged, which is to i'm
nediately follow Mr.. Shriver's. Will be
finished in even less time. The two cases
he explained, are practically the same. and
as the law applying in the first will govern
the second. he said the two cases ought TO
be concluded in time to allow the disposal
next week of the cases against MesSrs
Davis regards as being identical with that
Of Mr.. Chapman.
ALLEGED BREACH OF CONTRACT.