Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-12
THE TRIAL OF QUAY,
A||-|npoItant Contention Begun
BY His Lawyers
ADMISSION OF BANK BOOKS,
On This Rests Entire Fabric Of Prose
cution'S Case.
DECISION EXPECTED TODAY.
IL 1t IL to Eject That the Books
Shall Not he Admitted in Evi.
dencc, the CommonweaIth's Case
VIII Collapse.
DECISION EXPECTED TODAY.
IL 1t IL to Eject That the Books
Will Collapse.

PHILADELPHIA, April lin the trial
of ex-senator quay to-day. his lawyer
began what Is regarded as the all-lm-
portant contention in their fight for his
acquittal-namely that the books Of tho
broken Peoples Bank are not competent
testimony against the accused man, and
therefore should not be admitted I'm evi.
dence. On the decision OF this point
rests the entire fabric OF the prosecutions
case. Should Judge Biddle decide the
point well taken. the Commonwealth
case will necessarily collapse.
In order TO secure the most effective
presentation Of this phase OF the defence,
Mr.. Quay brought TO his aid the skill
OF David 7. Watson, of Pittsburg, one Of
the ablest attorneys in Pennsylvania. and
ranking, i'm fact, with the best in ths
country Mr. Watson spoke on the SUBJ
ject for nearly two hours this afternoon.
BOOKS OFFERED IN EVIDENCE.
The District Attorney opened the pro-
ceedings in this phase of the case by of
fering i'm evidence the books of the bank,
extending over a number OF years, and
along with them the account books. LETT
ter-press book. and letters from Senator
Quay and State-Treasurer Haywood.
found in the desk Of Cashier Hopkins
after that official had committed suicide.
He read long summary Of what the
books and papers showed, and stated
what he expected to prove by them-to-
VIII. that through a conspiracy with
Cashier Hopkins. State-Treasurer Hay
wood and other State treasurers, and pos
sibly other officials OF the bank, Senator
Quay used a certain fixed amount OF
State money deposited in the institution,
and received interest on another fixed
portion of the State deposit.
Much of the evidence offered by the Dis
trict Attorney was brought out at the
preliminary hearing, on October 5th last.
There was some new matter, however.
dealing principally with the AMOUNT of
money loaned by the bank 10 Mr.. Quay,
and during the past twelve or fourteen
years the amount paid 10 him and other
state treasurers as interest on State de-
posits.
JUDGES DECISION TO-DAY.
Judge Biddle will probably decide to-
morrow whether the books OF the bank
are admissible. II he decides that they
are, Mr.. Quay's lawyers will next take
up the memorandum books and letters
belonging to Hopkins, and oppose their
consideration as valid testimony.
Previous TO the presentation OF the
bank-books by Mr.. Rothermel. the exam
inatiOn of Receiver Barlow was con-
cluded, and ex-Judge Gordon. who. tho
adherents OF Senator Quay declare. Is re-
sponsible for what they term the con-
spiracy against their fayorite. gave testi-
mony in corroboration and explanation
of MIR. Barlow's statement.
SENSATION.
Mr.. Barlow created sensation by the
statement that he had broken open the
dead cashiers desk and taken therefrom
the books and letters appertaining to the
Quay trial, at the behest Of "A mysterious
informant. who spoke to him over the
telephone from Harrisburg, and stated
that there was a plot on foot TO steal the
documents that night. RE
was. he said, never able to learn who his
mysterious friend was. The fact was
CLEANED from Mr.. Barlow that the bank
books and letters were practically IN the
OF Judge Gordon from April until
September OF last year. He considered
this proper as Judge Gordon was the con-
HteDlldl duhlSfI Oi altSldHtss
Of the bank.
JUDGE GOKDONS TESTIMONY.
Judge Gordon gave his testimony In
quiet convincing manner lie deprecated
the stories OF conspiracy against Quay
that had been persistently put in circula-
ton, and frankly answered every ques-
tion asked regarding the use he made OF
the papers while he had them. He add
mitted that they had been photographed
at his suggestion, but merely for purposes
OF safety i'm the event OF the originals
being destroyed. He also admitted show
Ing them to David Martin. the leader OF
the anti-Quay faction; TO John Wana.
maker. a bitter opponent OF Senator
Quays. and to others. including partial
exhibition of letters to James NJ. Guffy.
The Democratic leader OF this State. but
not In the manner limited at by the de-
fence.