Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-23
IN CONTEMPT OF COURT
Local Attorney Addresses Objectionable
Language toOpposing Counsel.
Was Employed tn Defend Man for Dis
orderly COn0uct-Lawyer and
Cheat eBoth Fined.

Lawyer Carry. r Gran was in the Police
Court today. before Judge Taylor, as coun-
sci for Thomas Carr, contractor and
builder, who was charged with disorderly
conduct, and before the conclusion of the
case was himself fined for contempt OF
court. While Mr.. Graf was speaking to
the court, during which he claimed that
Mr.. Carr was innocent of any wrong-dolng,
Officer Newkirk. the complaining witness.
appeared. and, in response to questions, In
formed the court that the accused man
was very disorderly last evening.
Upon being sworn the policeman testi-
fled that he and three others were stand
ing on Pennsylvania avenue between Sd
and ~ streets northwest. he being on duty
at the time. Carr came along, he said
and passed, but after going about twenty
five or thirty yards he retraced his steps
Upon meeting Newkirk Carr charged the
officer with applying to him a very OPP
pTobrious name.
II was utterly a stounded," the witness went
on to say, but told Mr.. Carr that he was
entirely mistaken; that l had not said a
single sin word concerning him. Carr replied,
to the box and sent him to the station, but
while waiting. for the patrol wagon Carr
INDUCED in the use of great deal OF pro-
fame language"
Officer Steventon corroborated Newkirks
evidence as to Cars conduct at the box,
and Officer Gibson said he had heard the
defendant use the words attributed to him
previous to his being placed under arrest.
Different Version.
When Mr.. Carr took the stand he gave a
very different version of the affair. He
gave the court, with much detail, an ac-
count of his movements yesterday and last
evening up to the time of his arrest.
lit is my habit, judge" he went on to
say, Ito take my beer whenever I feel like
it, and 1 had done so last evening. l saw
Newkrk and two three others standing
on the avenue, and as I was about to pass
them Newkirk laughed saying. He's got a
new suit on He then stopped me and
walked round and round me repea tedly.
l objected to the officers actions, but did
not curse him, as he said. l leaned over
and spat in the gutter and Newkirk told
me not to do that again. There were some
angry words used, both by the officer and
myself, but there was no swearing on my
part.
had borne luminosity toward him for long
time, and that the arrest was made without
any just reason.
Lawyer Graft informed Judge Taylor that
he had no fault to find with Mr.. Newkrk
in the matter, but he thought the officer
was overZealous. He defended Mr. Cars
right to drink as much az he pleased. and
said it was well known that Calhoun, Web
ster, Washington and other great men took
their drinks. His client, he declares, did
not care for the amount of any tine that
the court might impose, but he wanted to
clear his reputation.
Calls Him n Liar.
The attorney went on to make some re-
marks which caused Prosecutor Sinclair to
protest.
s"Oh, yeu shut up" Graft exclaimed
Il won't shuxxupS' Mr.. Sinclair answered
"You talk like-you are drunk"
Its none Of your business how much
drink 1 will take my liquor whenever
please, but you are - liar if you say
am drunk" Graft rejoined.
Mr.. Sinclair called the attention of Judge
Taylor to the use of the epithet by Graft
and the court ordered the offending lawyer
to stop talking at once. He also fined him
s. for contempt. Carr was likewise fined
s. for his offense and the fine was paid.
Graft told Judge Taylor he apologized for
his Objectionable language and left the
court room.
Later, on motion of Mr.. Sinclair, Judge
Taylor passed an order summoning Gran
to the Police Court tomorrow morning at
10 O'Clock, at which time, it is stated, he
will be required to apologize In public
manner for the offensive word used to Pros
ecutor Sinclair and for his contempt Of
court, or failing to apologize. show cause
Why he should not be punished therefor.