Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-03-01
Is AGAIN POSTPONED.
The Conspiracy Case Of United
States Senator Quay. Is
HINTS OF JURY TAMPERING MADE.

HINTS OF JURY TAMPERING MADE,
Postponement Will Cause Great Incon.
venience Also That They Have Recent
ly Come Across Information That Would
Result In the Prompt Acquittsi of Hi
Clients-Much Interest In the Case.
Philadelphia, Feb. 27.-The Outpost.
poned trial of United States Senator
Matthew s. Quay and his son. Richard
r. Quay, on charges of conspiracy in the
misuse of the funds Of the state on de-
post in the Peoples bank for their own
profit and gain was called before Judge
Better in the court of quarter sessions
OF Philadelphia county. Though inter-
terest in the trial was intense through
out the city. there was no crowding in
the courtroom because of an order is
sued by the court that only the law
yers directly interested in the case, the
panel Of witnesses and a limited num-
Der Of newspaper men should be ad-
mitted. Senator Quay, with his son,
entered the courtroom accompanied by
their counsel. Rufus E. Shapley, A. s.
Z. Shields and David T. Watson of
Pittsburg. The presence Of the latter
was surprise to those in attendance,
as 1t was generally understood that he
hao retired from the case.
Asked for a Postponement.
When questioned on the subject Mr..
cf hot Vof g
present only to make argument on any
legal points which might arise. Dis
trict Attorney Rothermel and his assist
ants held brief consultation. at the
conclusion of which the district at
torney arose and, addressing the court,
said that for reasons which he did not
care to state at present, he desired that
the trial Of the Messrs. Quay be post
poned. He was not ready to proceed
with the trial now. He stated further
that as the judges of the court would be
engaged for the greater part of the
present month in hearing the liquor
license applications, he would ask that
the date for this trial be fixed for April
10. Mr.. Shapley, of counsel for the de-
feEse, opposed the motion. He said
their witnesses had been subpoenaed
and every preparation to bring the trial
to an immediate conclusion. A post
ponement at this time, he said. would
cause great Inconvenience, and would
be unfair to his clients. Judge Better,
however. announced that he would
grant the motion, as the district at
torney was not prepared to proceed.
and named April 10 as the date for the
trial.
Quay Disappointed.
Senator Quay, on leaving the court
room. expressed his disappointment at
the unexpected deferring of the trial.
Mr.. Shapley was also considerably per-
turbed. Touching on the evidence ad-
duced at the preliminary hearing, Mr..
Shapley said the prosecution had placed
much Importance on the entries in the
memorandum book Of Cashier Hopkins.
which showed a number of credits to
the account of Senator Quay and indi-
Gated many transactions between Hop
kins and the senator. Information had
recently come into the possession Of Mr..
Shapley. which, he declared proved
conclusively that these entries were
wholly false. They would never be ad-
mitted as evidence by the court as their
.falsity could be clearly proved. In
vestigation, he continued. had shown
that Hopkins for long time had been
defrauding Senator Quay and many en-
tries in the memorandum book found
IN his effects had been made for the
purpose of deceiving not only Senator
Quay. but also the officials of the bank.
Mr. Shapley said he entertained no
doubt of the prompt acquittal Of his
clients when the case shall come to
trial.
Alleged Jury Tampering.
The Evening Bulletin says: mo
sooner had the postponement been made
known than 1t was declared by high
authority that the cause for hating the
case was an astounding discovery az
fecting the jury panel. Officials in the
district attorneys office declined to dis
cuss this. beyond stating that there
was only one reason why the trial
should not go on. the prosecution being
in readiness to proceed. Rumor had
It that case of impersonation hal been
detected but concern ng this no definite
was obtainable After court
adjourned Mr.. Rothermel said In reply
to an Interrogation: while will say
nothing whatever about the cause
which induced me to continue the case,
except what said in court, can state
that the entire subject was submitted
to Judge Better and approved by him
before made the application for post
ment.
Upon the question Of tampering with
the jury. the district attorney made a
most significant utterance in court.
avowing that the postponement was a
duty to the commonwealth
Only the Quays Remain.
The original charges upon which the
warrants of arrest were issued on Oct.
8 last included, in addition to the sena-
tor and his son. the names of Charles
H. Mckee. a Pittsburg lawyer, and
State Treasurer Benjamin H. Hay
wood. The grand jury failed to indict
Mr.. Mckee, and the charges against
him were therefore dropped. Mr.. Hay
wood died on Thursday last at Sharon,
Pa, and Senator Quay and his son are
alone left to meet the charge Of con-
epiracy. A fifth person accused of con-
nection with the alleged conspiracy was
John s. Hopkins. who committed sui
eide In March last, several months be-
fore charges were made against the
others. Hopkins suicide led to an ex-
animation of the books of the bank
and 1t was found that the assets were