The evening times., 1899-08-23
A SCENE IN POLICE COURT.
Attorney Carl j. &. Graf Fined fOr
Contempt by Judge Taylor.

The dull routine of the Police Court was
enlfvenad this morning by a scene, in
which the principals were Attorney Carl
J. f. Graft and Acting Prosecuting Attor-
ney A. Leftwich Sinclair. Attorney Graft
was fined s. for contempt of court for hay-
ing used improper language. Graff was re-
tained as counsel by Thomas Carr, the de-
fsudsnt in the case, who was charged with
,lisorderly conduct and the use CT profane
and indecent language. Officer ]. T. New
kirk arrested him on Pennsylvania Avenue,
between Third and Four-and-a-half streets
northwest. at about 6 O'Clock. He was US
ing profanity when placed under arrest. and
continued his indecent language all the way
TO the patrol box.
Officers Newkirk, S. d. Gibson, and AL
bert w Steventon, of the Sixth precinct,
were in court and testified TO the facts in
the case. Carr denounced them as liars,
and intimated that they had perjured thsn-
selves
Acting Prosecuting Attorney Sinclair eX-
amined the defendant and in the course OF
The examination brought out the admission
from Carr that he had been drinking this
morning Attorney Graft then took the
remarks by stating TO the court that he
had never appeared in Police Court as
counsel and received fee for his sery-
ices. This was regarded as a decided sluT
upon the court. Graf intimated that his
appearance in court this morning was for
the purpose of defending a friend and he
desired to see Justice done He attempted
on the strength of his clients testimony.
TO discredit that of the three officers who
stated positively that the defendant had
been disorderly and used profane and in
decent language.
Graf stated that his only object in de-
Tending Carr was TO protect the prisoner 5
fair name from the calumnies heaped upon
il by the officers and that the mere fine OF
50, which would be imposed in the case
If he were convicted. was nothing. He
then went on TO offset the admission of the
defendant to the effect that he had been
drinking this morning. He cited several
incidents where illustrious men had been
accustomed TO take their morning bever-
age, naming Calhoun, Webster, George
Washington, and others.
Mr.. Sinclair at this iuncture arose to
answer Graf, whereupcn the attorney for
the defendant exclaimed sit down, you
brute
Er. Sinclair replied by saying: 'It is
evident that you have had your morning
tipple."
That's none of your - business" re-
piled Graf.
Mr. Sinclair Immediately rose TO his feet
and addressed the court. He said: 1T IS
evident that the attorney for the defendant
IS not accustomed 10 practice in Police
Court. He ought TO be made to know that
such actions are not to be tolerated in this
court. He ought to be fined for contempt
Judge Taylor thereupon imposed a fine of
$5. which was paid. He also fined the de-
fendant in the case S. for the offence with
which he was charged. Graf apologized
so the judge, but ignored Mr. Sinclair.
Shortly afterwards Mr.. Sinclair moved
in open court that warrant be issued for
Graf compelling him to appear in court to-
morrow morning and apologize to the court
and to the prosecuting attorney. Judge
Taylor issued the order.