The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-12
QUAY CHARGES CONSPIRACY.
HIS FRIENDS HOLD Ex-JUDGE COR
DON RESPONSIBLE.

He Is Now Making an Effort to show
That the Books of the Broken
Peoples Bank Are Not Competent
ENidence-Case May Rest on This
POint-HOw Receiver Harlow
Found Mysterious Papers in the
Dead Cashiers Desk.
Philadelphia, April lin the trial of
ex-senator Quay to-day his lawyers be-
gan what is regarded as the all import
ant contention in their fight for his ac-
quittal, namely, that the books of the
broken Peoples Bank are not competent
testimony against the accused man, and
therefore, should not be admitted in evil
dence.
On the decision of this point rests the
entire fabric of the prosecutions case.
Should Judge Biddle decide the point we'll
taken, the commemorative case Will nee
essarily collapse.
In order to secure the most effective
presentation of this phase of the defense,
Mr.. Quay brought to his aid the skill of
David T. Watson of Pittsburg, one of the
ablest attorneys In Pennsylvania, and
ranking in fact with the best in the coun-
try Mr.. Watson spoke on his subject for
nearly two hours this afternoon.
The district attorney opened the proceed
ings in this phase of the case by Offering
in evidence the books of the bank extend
ing over a number of years, and along
with them the account books, letter press
books and letters from Senator Quay and
State Treasurer Haywood found in the
desk of Cashier Hopkins, after that Off
cial had committed suicide. He read
long summary of what the books and pa
pers showed and stated what he expected
to prove by them. to wit:
Conspiracy with Cashier.
That through conspiracy with Cashier
Hopkins, State Treasurer Haywood and
other state treasurers. and possibly other
officials of the bank, Senator Quay used a
certain fixed amount of state money depos-
tied in the institution and received inter-
est on another fixed portion of the state
deposit.
Much of the evidence offered by the dis
trict attorney was brought out at the pre-
liminary hearing on Oct. 3 last. There was
some new matter, however. dealing prin-
cipally with the amount of money loaned
by the bank to Mr.. Quay, and during the
past twelve or fourteen years the amount
paid to him and other state treasurers as
interest on state deposits.
Judge Bidde will probably decide to-
morrow whether the books of the bank
are admissible. If he decides that they
are, Mr.. Quay's lawyers will next take up
the memorandum books and letters be-
longing to Hopkins, and oppose their con
sideration as valid testimony.
Previous to the presentation of the bank
books by MIR. Rothermel, The examination
of Receiver Barlow was concluded, and
ex-Judge James Gay Gordon. who, the ad-
herents of Senator Quay declare, is re-
sponsible for what they term the con-
spracy against their favorite gave tes-
timony in corroboration and explanation
of Mr.. Barlows statement.
How harlow Found Papers.
Mr.. Barlow created a sensation by the
statement that he had broken open the
dead cashiers desk and taken therefrom
the books and letters appertainug to the
Quay trial at the behest of a mysterious
informant who spoke 10 him over the tele-
phone from Harrisburg. and stated that
there was a plot on foot to steal the com
promising documents that night He was,
he said. never able to learn who his mys-
terious friend was.
The fact was CLEANED from Mr.. Barlow
that the bank books and letters were prac-
tically in the control of Judge Gordon
from April until September of last year. He
considered this proper, as Judge Gordon
was the confidential advisor of President
McManes, of the bank.
Judge Gordon gave his testimony in a
quiet, convincing manner. He deprecated
the stories of conspiracy against Quay that
had been persistently put i'm circulation,
and frankly answered every question ask
ed regarding the use he made of the papers
while he had them. He admitted that they
had been photographed at his suggestion,
but merely for purposes of safety in the
event of the originals being destroyed
He also admitted showing them to Da-
v:d Martin, the leader of the and-Quay
faction to John Wanamaker, bitter op-
ponent of Senator Quay, and 10 others, in
cluding a partial exhibition of letters to
James NJ Guffey, the Democratic leader
Of this state, but not in the manner hinted
at by the defense.