Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-22
Former Treasurer Of Columbian Uni
versity Guilty Of Embezzlement.
REMANDED BY COURT FOR SENTENCE
Amount of the DefaIcation Shown
to Be $13,o5o.
APPEAL MADE FOR MERCY

Robert H. Martin, for a number of years
treasurer of the Columbian University,
today pleaded guilty In Criminal Court No.
1 of the embezzlement of $1395O of the
funds Of the institution during 1894 1895
and 1896, and was remanded to Jail by
Chief Justice Bingham to await sentence,
which will be imposed next Saturday. The
penalty for embezzlement is fine not ex-
ceeding 5000 or Imprisonment for not
more than five years, or both fine and i'm
prisonment. and as the Indictment on which
the unfortunate man pleaded guilty con-
tains five counts, each referring to separ-
ate offense, sentence could, should the
court so deem advisable, be imposed on
each count.
Will Strive for Lenicncy.
Sentence is not likely, however, to be i'm
posed on more than one of the five counts
and strong effort will be made by the
friends Of the self-convicted man, through
his attorneys. Messrs. Andrew A. Lips
comb and Charles H. Turner, to induce
Chief Justice Bingham to make the SEN
tence one of imprisonment in Jail.
After many postponements, the defend
ants trial was set down by District Attor-
ney Davis before Chief Justice Bingham
today, and when 1t was called Mr.. Davis
stated to the court that the mans counsel
desired to avoid a trial. Mr.. Lipscomb
then explained to the court that at the re-
quest of the defendant he asked that the
plea of not guilty be allowed to be with
drawn, that the defendant might enter a
plea of guilty, and thereby make the fullest
reparation possible for the offense he no
longer denied.
Chief Justice Bingham granted the de-
sired leave, and then the defendant, clad
In neat business suit of gray, arose and
replied to the formal inquiry of Clerk Cat
ley that he pleaded guilty.
Motion for Release on Bond.
Mr.. Lipscomb next moved that his client
be permitted to remain at large on his
former bond of 5000 for about ten days,
when he would appear for sentence. Mr.
Lipscomb explained that he made the mo-
ton that the prisoner might meantime as
sist his wife and three little children in
moving to Baltimore. where charitable peo-
pie have secured a little house for them.
The defendant, said Mr.. Lipscomb, would
be on hand when wanted in court, and he
pointed out that convicted persons have
been released on bail pending an appeal.
To support his motion Mr.. LipScomb in
troduced to the court gentleman who sat
beside the defendant as the Rev. II. NJ
Wharton, pastor of the Memorial Baptist
Church of Baltimore and editor of the
Baptist Evangel.
The reverend gentleman explained that
he had interested himself in the prisoner
because he appeared to be without friends
and because he believed it to be his duty
as Christian to do what he could for him
and his little family, who are now de-
pendent on the charity of others. He stat
ed that a house in Baltimore has been rent
ed for them and partly stocked with fuel
and other neceSSaries. But the wife and
children sadly need the assistance of the
defendant arranging their little home and
Mr.. Wharton added his plea for the mans
release until the family could be safely
housed.
District Attorney Objects.
Il am here,> your honor" said District
Attorney Davis, in reply to the notion
"discharging the most disagreeable duty
have had to perform since 1 assumed the
cffice 1 hold. for 1 was the associate Of
this man in the Columbian University, and
in relation to this case I have been buff
feted between my sympathy for him and
his family and my official duty. l. can only
say, your honor. that if the motion is
granted it will be without my consent"
Chief Justice Bingham, in denying the
motion. saiG that it was an unusual one
ana one which he doubted his right to
grant, especially when only the convent
cree of the defendants family had been
offered In support of 1t. The government
declining to take any responsibility in the
natter. the court would not assume it and
the motion would have to be denied.
With Bowed Head
During all this time Martin sat beside his
counsel with bowed head. his face flushed
to an unusual degree. But he seemed to
have nerved himself up to meet the or
deal. and. after Mr.. Lipscomb had success
fully moved that sentence be deferred un-
til next Saturday. he walked, in the Gus
tody Of Deputy Marshal Cook, to the mar
shaPs cffice. There he remained in con-
versation with his attorneys and Mr..
Wharton for some time after which he
was sent to Jail IN d private conveyance