The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-11-27
CASE
IS CLOSED.
Fate Of the Township Directors in the
Hands of the Jury.
COUNSEL MAKE THEIR ADDRESSES
Mr.. Wadlinger Opens For the Accused
Directors and Was Followed by Mr..
Whalen For the Prosecution.
Jury Celebrating.
Special to EVENING HERALD.

yesterday afternoon. John F. Whaleu,
Esq; counsel for the Commonwealth, was
wholly uuprepared for it. The I'VE rest
from Mr.. Wadlinger and ANY rebuttal 2'
from Judge Bechtel seemed to fall like two
claps Of thunder upon the ears Of the bril-
liant lawyer who has made out Of the case all
that any lawyer could with the material at
hand.
When Mr.. Whalen said he was Obliged to
ask time until this morning TO put in re-
buttal evidence, because none of the wit
nesses to be used we're present, Judge Bechtel
did not fail 10 hide his impotence. His
Honor declared that the case had interfered
enough with the civil court and he did pro
pose to have it run into next week. Mr.. Mari
threw in a few words on the same strain,
saying I'VE cut our defense short for the
very purpose of closing the case this week,
and getting rid of it,
Mr.. Whalen felt piqued by this remarked
and ret0rted, You had other reasons for
cutting you case short, and know it." Mr..
Whalen then stated to the court that he re-
GREETED the situation as much as the court,
but it could not have been anticipated. He
felt sure that in an hour or 50 he could get
in all the rebuttal.
what do you want to prove ?" asked the
court.
1--WE propose to contradict these defendants
on material points replied Mr.. Whalen.
con what points 2' interposed Mr.. Wad-
linger.
"On the question of money given to them,
and also on the subject of character" Mr..
Whalen answered.
Judge Bechtel: We will meet here promptly
at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, ready or
not ready with witnesses, and go on until
this case is ended. l will not run this court
into next week, if we nave to hold a night
session to end it. am determined that this
case shall not break up the civil list next
week. Now, how much time do you want
for summing up2 Will an hour each do?
Mr.. Wadlinger Sharply No!
Judge Bechtel Then an hour and a half?
Mr.. Mari; o, two hours, your Honor,
please2
Judge Bechtel WARMLY Gentlemen, you
are furnishing some of the jurors in this case.
[ have been appealed to by jurors in this
case. You can go on furnishing them all you
like. am not being punished.
1t was finally agreed that each side take an
hour and a half.
Then Mr.. Mari asked the court to direct
that the Commonwealth frstaddress the jury
and outline what the defense must answer in
the summing up. This is the practice in
Philadelphia, he said.
Judge Bechtel said he would have no OBJ
]jections to that course, but if the counsel for
the Commonwealth objected he would make
no direction, but allow the practice Of the
Schuylkill county courts to prevail. Mr..
Whalen objected.
Before leaving the witness stand yesterday
Director McLain said, in answer to Mr.. MARI,
that he heard that the School Directors OF
Girardville got paid for attending the annual
meeting of the Directors Association and
Major E. Q. Wagner was a member of the
Board. He also understood it was the GUS
tom Of the Ashland and Girardville Boards,
Mr.. Whalen Did you make inquiries Al
to what districts paid directors for attending
county institute?
Imay have.
If you thought it was right what difference
did it make to you whether other places did
it, or not2
1t was after that I inquired. I had heard
Of it before,
What districts did you hear paid their di
~rectors2
I can't remember now.
Who told you?
don't remember.
When were you told?
l can't tell.
Was it before or after this suit2
Before and after.
M. A.. o
was recalled to the stand by Mr.. Mari. A
present treasurer of the Board the witnes
said he redeemed the Flanagan SO order.
Mr.. Whalen When was it paid ?
/ can't remember the date, but think i
was the time the libel suit was on trial. /
was not within a week, or month past.
P. j. FERGUSON,
of Shenandoah, was called by Mr.. Mari AM
sworn. He had known most Of the director
Is or 20 years.
What is their reputation for integrity An,
honesty
1 never heard anything against them.
Mr.. Whalen Have you not heard tina
since these men have been in public otiic
that things have been rotten in West Maha
noy Township Is not that a matter Of dis
cussion in Shenandoah and vicinity
Not to my knowledge.
Have not they been considered as boodlers
Never that 1 heard of.
Has it not been the subject Of discussion
around your community that these men sc
money for making appointments
1 have not heard it.
What have you heard about teachers2
That they always quarreled about VIII
would get appointments.
Have you had business dealings with an.
Of these DirectorsY
/ went on the treasurers' bonds.
III A, REILLY,
of Shenandoah, was mex called by Mr.. Mar
and he said the regulations Of the defendant
were very good" The rest Of the examine
lion and the replies were substantially Oh
same as when the preceding witness was o
B the stand.
DR.. 8. u. BRADY,
5 of Lost Creek, testified in a similar manne.
with the exception of his answers to III
5 "boodlers'' questions by Mr.. Whalen, whe
the witness said That has been a charp
ever since 1 have been IN the township. Yo
hear that talk almost all the time. / hay
also heard the rHmors about the ~institut
orders. / was a School Director there my
self once, and / guess the same charges wei
, rumOred about me"
D Mr.. Wadlingeri Did you ever see anythiu
wrong on the Boardf