The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-28
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS DESIRE
SAID HE WAS NOT PREPARED
TO PROCEED.
Friends Of the Senator Declare the
Postponement Is Unjust, and
That It Will Elect Their
Man.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

HARRISBURG, Pa, Feb. 27-The
continuance of the trial of Senator
Quay created a sensation among the
legislators and politicians at Harris
burg Captain James Clark, who Is
in charge at the Quay headquarters,
says it is an outrage. He claims Senator
Quay was ready and anxious to go ahead
with the trial, and that his friends
had every assurance that he would be
honorably acquitted. Senator Mere
dith, a strong Quay man, says the de-
lay means the election of Senator Quay
this week. Senator McCarrell, an
other Quayite, is certain his jury bill
will become a law before the time
fixed for the trial.
Captain William Hasson, one of the
Democratic House leaders, Is confident
District Attorney Rothermel had good
reason to ask that the case go over,
and said the continuance would have
no effect on the Senatorial deadlock,
except to prolong it until after the
trial. This seems to be the general
opinion of the faction opposed to Sena-
tor Quay. E. S. Vankelkenberg, the
leader of the anti-Quay forces, says
the postponement was great sur
prise.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 27.-On mo-
ton of District Attorney Rothermel,
the Quay conspiracy trial has been
continued until April 10. The District
Attorney did not state his reason for
this action. Though interest in the
trial was intense throughout the city.
there was no crowding in the court. be-
cause of an order issued that only the
lawyers directly interested in the case,
the panel of witnesses and a limited
number of newspaper men should be
admitted.
Senotor Quay and his son entered
the court room accompanied by their
counsel, Rufus E. Shapeley, A. S. L.
Shields and David T. Watson of Pitts
burg The presence of the latter was
a surprise to those in attendance, as 1t
was generally understood he had re-
tired from the case.
District Attorney Rothermel and his
associates held a 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 Mr.. Quay be continued. He
was not ready to proceed with the trial
now He stated 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. Shapeley of counsel for the de-
Tense opposed the motion. He said
their witnesses had been subpenaed and
every preparation made TO bring the
trial to an immediate conclusion. A
continuance at this time, he said, would
cause great inconvenience and be I'M
fair to his clients.
Judge Reitler announced that he
would grant the motion, inasmuch as
the District Attorney was not prepared
to proceed, and named April 10 as the
date for the trial.
senator Quay, on leaving the court
room. expressed his disappointment at
the unexpected deferring of the trial.
He declined to discuss the matter fur
Their, simply adding that he was ex-
nosed of. and that he had hoped that 1t
would have been taken up to-day ana
quickly brought to a conclusion.