The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-29

and a half hour later Attorney Sprague
was found and brought In.
Mr.. Speague pleaded that he had mis-
understood the hour set for sentencing
his client. He had not heard the court
make the order for 8 O'Clock, and not
knowing that another case was on the
calendar chat Of the people against
David Quinn, charged with murder) he
naturally concluded that the case would
be called at the usual time-10 o'clock
He assured the court that he. had no
intention Of OFFENDING and stated that
he had plenty of time to reach court at
3 O'Clock, but was unaware that the
matter had been set for that hour.
Judge Hughes said he felt certain that
Mr.. Sprague's absence was the result
Of misunderstanding and that he had
intended no contempt in failing to APP
pear, but that inasmuch as the hour
for hearing had been set in open court
there was no reason why he should not
have heard and appeared as directed.
Mr.. Sprague said he himself knew OF
no reason why he should not have un-
derstood, but that the fact remained
that he had misunderstood, and had
unintentionally delayed proceedings He
said that an understanding had been
arrived at between him and Mr.. Holl,
who is out of town, that he (Sprague)
should be present and represent Putt
man.
Judge Hughes said that such breach
Of the rules of the court could not be
overlooked and that he would rather
pay the fine himself than allow the
matter to go unpunished. He ended by
6pjn0 Attorpov Cnr.a o11o &C1
Sheriff. johnson was called and briefly
explained to the court the facts com
nected with Purtman's attempt to COM
nit suicide. He stated that the con-
vict was at that time in the surgeons
hands, and that he would be unable TO
appear in court for sentence.
On that representation Judge Hughes
continued the time for imposing SEN
tence until Saturday next at 8 O'Clock
a. m.
Just before the noon recess Attorney
c. T.. Jones appealed to the court to
remit the fine imposed upon Mr..
Sprague He felt that the latter In
tended no offense to the court, but had
only misunderstood the order. He re-
ferred to the trial proceedings in which
Sprague had acted on the order of the
court, without compensation, and felt
that the simple imposition Of the fine
was sufficient punishment without en-
forcing it's collection.
District Attorney C. w. Baker joined
Mr.. Jones in his appeal. He reverted
to the trial of the case and stated that
Mr.. Sprague had ever been prompt and
had done everything possible to expe-
dite matters. He heartily Joined in the
motion that the fine be RENTED.
Judge Hughes said he felt confident
that Mr.. Sprague had no intention Of
disobeying the order of the court, but
believed that he had been negligent. He
had imposed the fine rather to impress
the necessity Of prompt attendance
upon jurors, attorneys and others than
as a punishment to the attorney, who
during the trial Of the case had always
shown respect to the court. He felt
that the punishment was already suffi-
GENTLY severe, and allowed the motion
renting the fine.
Attorney Sprague, in thanking the
court, said that never in all his sixteen
years of practice before the bar had he
ever been SO severely criticised
Judge Hughes said he appreciated the
attorneys feelings. and assured him
that he held him in higher respect than
ever. And so the day-so far as re-
CARDS Murderer Puttman-passed