New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-29
THE SEARLES TRIAL BEGUN.
LARGELY a REPETITION OF THE HAVE
MEYER CASE

Washington, May 2S--The trial of John f.
Searles. secretary of the American Sugar Rein
ing Company, followed that of President Have
meyer before Judge Bradley in Criminal Court
No. ] to-day. Judge Bradleys decision yester-
day which threw the case against Mr.. Have
meyer out of court. robbed the Searles trial of
much OF its interest. despite the assertion Of
Dstrict-Attorney Davis that the cases were not
analogous and that the contention set up by the
defence in the Havemeyer case. which the
Judge ordered verdict of acquittal. would not
hold in the Searles case. The indictment found
against Mr.. Searles similar to that against
Mr.. Havemeyer. except that the questions asked
OF Mr. Searles were somewhat different. The in
dictment recites that by a resolution OF the Sen
ate a committee appointed to investigate
certain charges made by the press concerning
the election of 1892 The committee summoned
Mr. Searles. and he was asked:
What amount was expended by your COM
pany in the campaign Of 1927
Il decline TO answer the question" said Mr.
Searles giving as the reason for his refusal that
he did not believe it within the province Of the
committee 10 ask such question.
The committee then asked: What sum did
YOU (neaning the American Sugar Refining Com
pany) contribute to the Democratic campaign
used for the purpose Of conducting the campaign
in that State. at which time Cleveland and Har-
rison were candidates for President Of the United
States?"
II decline to answer that question" was Mr.
Searles's reply. and for the same reason as that
given in the refusal to answer the first question
Did you contribute to the Democratic cam
naicn fund in New-York?" was asked
He again declined to answer.
The same lawyers who appeared for Mr.. Have
never had charge Of Mr.. Searles's deferce MI
Havemeyer sat by Mr.. Searles in the rear OF the
table occupied by his eminent counsel Inc
members of the Senate Investigating Cominlttes
were present. None of the first twelve talesiiien
were challenged but one was excused. Inc III
difference OF the defendants counsel 10 'he CUM
position OF the jury seemed to Indicate 'iei- 80
aderce that tho case eventually would be taken
ont of the hands OF the jury as that VI MI
Havemeyer was. -
The course followed by the Dlstrlc'-Al'olHeS
In the Haverr.eyer case was repeated IN the pres
ent case the same documents peing lhtTouuceu'
Tho defendant.s counsel made no attempt TO con-
test any o; the documents as they did IN the
ITavemeyer case Such extracts from Mr.
Searles's testimony before the Senate committee
as the Government: and defence desired TO be in
Toe. from, either side Mr.. Johnson. in reading
those extracts 10 the Jury, laid great stress upon
Mr.. searless repeated affirmation in reply to
questions that he had mo personal knowledge.
7, vaq Noticeable that Judge Bradley as these
responses were read was busly engaged IN max
ing notes. and that Nj Haverneyer and MI
Searles exchanged significant mods.
SENATOR GRAY's TESTIMONY.
canator GRAY was the first witness called. He
.os,iead &C In the Havemeyer case. to the facts
us--to tho Senate investigation. On cross-exam-
,nation he said that he did not believe the Ques-
zion asked by Senator Allen was pertinent ana
with Senator Lindsay had so reported 10 the
Senate II did not believe it was pertinent ne
said taken in connection with the quesuohs ne
had answered. He had testified thaI no money
Us contributed for National political purposes,
and none with the purpose Oh anecllhs lesisia-
ton"
Iudre Bradley put several questions 10 senator
Gov 1Ia asked IL Mr. Searles was Informed.
v,ben he declined TO answer Senator Alien
,o.,ior that the committee insisted upon an
s,rers Senator Gray said he had no recollection
on that point
Whom Senator Gray left the stand District-At-
,ornev Davis announced, TO the surprise OF the
enecta+ors that the Government rested It's case.
rban Mr. Johnson, for the defence, moved as
IN the Havemeyer case. that the Judge instruct
the Jury TO bring in a verdict or acqulttaL he
based his motion on three grounds: First, that
the questions Mr.. Searles refused to answer were
relevant to nothing the committee was supposed
IN have been ordered to investigate; second. that
the evidence did not show that the questions put
were committee questions so That II there was
CONTEMPT It was simply contempt or senator Al
len: and third that the Senate mad no power
whatever to put the questions. even il the RESP
luton authorized them.
THE POINTS OF THE DEFENCE.
Mr. Johnson proceeded to argue the three
nronositions he laid down. The BELIEF was sc
s,rope in tho courtroom that the Government
nod loe, heart in ito case and that II was
foregone conclusion Judge Bradley would sus
tain the motion of the defence that MS arsu
yoent was not followed with the same interes
az on Yesterday. Mr.. johnson ralse1 IauSi
hv his declaration that money contrlput1c
might not. have gone into the campaign
.Whv" he said zone Of the organizations II
New-York City has fund TO maintain
wounded and disabled braves" He was sar
castle in his references 10 Senator Aliens mo-
tive in asking the questions OF Mr.. Searies
"Of course" he said, 1--WE are not able TO fatho.l
ali that wonderful undiscovered sea in which
Senator Allen buries his intent; we only know
in a general way that he usually wants 10 MAKE
trouble for somebody" AT another point ht
49, of senator Aliens brain and then hastily
Chained the simple noun. Il should have sait
graf BRAIN" ne said, apologetically, but
hardly great wit" he added, Ironically Mr.
Jobnson said he would prefer 10 nave techHi
caT annlied 70 his points than the adjective
which properly described Senator Aliens que9
ton In referring TO the decision IN the rave
never case Mr.. Johnson turned TO the presi
dent Of the sugar company, who was sitting a.
The defendants table. and remarked; Mr.
Hayerneyer is so pleased with the admlhisra
10 ~ Justice in Washington that he finds Il
difdcult 10 tear himself away The spectators