The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-04-12
QUAY ON TRIAL
che SenstOr'f Connection Wita
Defunct Bank Beilg
Investigated.

Philadelphia. April lin the trial Of
ex-senator quay today his lawyers began
what Is regarded as the important CON
tention In his fight tir acquittal namely
That the books Of the Peoples bank arc
not competent testimony against the ac-
cused man and therefore could not be
admitted in evidence on the decision of
this point rests the entire fabric Of the
prosecutions case. Should Judge Bddle de-
eide the point well taken then the COM
! monwcaHh's case will necessarily coll
lapse
In order TO secure the most effective
presentation Of this phase OF the defense
MIR quay called To his aid the SKIN OF
David X. Watson Of Plttsburg one Of the
ablest attorneys in Pennsylvania and
ranking in fact with the best In the coun-
try. Mr. Watson spoke on this subject for
nearly two hours and had the almost
breathless attention OF a room filled with
the legal lights Of the local and state
bar Many OF these lawyers expressed
the opinion that Mr. Watson made a very
strong argument What It's effect il be
upon the Judge remains to be seen.
The district Judge opened the proceed
ings in this phase OF the case by Offering
tend ,g 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 H. Hopkins after that official
had committed suicide. He read "a long
summary of what the books and papers
showed and stated what he expected Ca
prove by them. to-wit, that through "a
conspiracy with Cashier Hopkins. State
! Treasurer Haywood and other state
| Treasurers. and possibly other officials of
tho bank Senator Quay used a fixed
amount OF state money deposited In the
! Institution and received interest on ano-
ther fixed portion OF the state deposit
Much Of the evidence offered hv the dis
| uict attorney was brought out on the
! preliminary hearing of October last
| There was somc new matter, however.
| dealing principally with the amount Of
money loaned by the bank TO Mr. Quay
and during the past ~ or Il years, the
amount paid to him and other state treas
urers on deposits.
Mr.. Watson contenced that the mere
fact that bank clerks. with no personal
| knowledge of the truth Of what they were
| writing. entered certain figures San book
which figures purported TO represent the
! interest paid Senator Quay was no proof
| that the money had been received by him
or that there had been any intention to
pay II to him. This argument is In line
with the defense contention that Mr.
| Quay was the victim of Hopkins, who
| used the senator's name to cover up his
own Illegal transactions. Mr. Watson all
so attacked the Indictment declaring il
to be fatally defective.
Judge Bddle win probably decide to-
morrow either 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 belong
10 Hopkins, and oppose their Introduction
as valid testimony Previous to the pre-
| sentatlon Of the bank books by Mr. Roth
| ermel, the examination Of Receiver Bar
| low was concluded and ex-JudRe James
| A. Gordon. who. the adhercnts OF Senator
| Quay declare, Is responsible for what they
term the conspiracy against their fav-
orite gave testimony In corroboration Wnd
explanation Of Mr.. Barlow's statement.
Mr.. Barlow created n sensation by stat
ing that he had broken open the dead
cashiers desk and taken thercfrom the
books and letters appertaining TO the
Quay trial at the behest Of mysterious
informant who spoke 10 him over The
telephone from Harrisburg and stated
thar there was plot on hand 70 stoal the
| compromising documents that night
He was. ne snaid. never able To learn who
his mysterious fri,nd was. Tho fact was
| CLEANED from NJ Barlow that the bank
book and letters were practically in the
control of Judge Gordon from April uutl
| September OF last year. lie considered
this proper as Judge Gordon was the
confidential adviser Of President Mc1anos
OF the bank
Judge Gordon gave his testimony iu "a
quiet, convincing manner. lie deprecat-
"a the stories Of conspiracy against Sem
ntOr Quay that have persistenuy been
put into circulation ana frankly answer
ed every question asked regarding the
use he made OF the papers while be had
II them. lie admitted that they had been
Z photographed al his suggestion, but mere
Z ly for purposes Of safety In the event of
Il the originals being destroyed. He also
!, admitted showing them 10 David Martin,
tle leader OF the anm-Quay faction; to
JOIN Wanamaker, a bitter opponent OF
Senator Quay, and 10 others including a
partial exhibition ~ letters to James NJ.
|, Guffey. the Democrats leader OF this
/ state. Dur NOT IN the manner limited at
| by the defense.
Judge Gordon asked permission 20 make
a statement OF his connection with the
case but the entire array OF Quay coun-
sci objected instantly, and what would
undoubtedly have proven interesting read
ing, was .-lus shut on.