The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-19
CRIER IS NOW
ON The STAND
concluded from Page 5.

The testimony about the s1,4oo. lie
said, was merely admitted to the case
as an incident.
ut is not reasonable" contended
Mr.. sragg, that II these men had
fastened a crime upon him on May
4 by causing him to accept $40, they
would have within a few days later
tried to fasten exactly the same crime
on the same man and to do this
would be willing to spend the enor-
nous sum of s1.4oo. That is not rea-
sonable, gentlemen, and indicates
that these detectives defrauded Mr..
Sturges and the men associated with
him out of this money"
MEETINGS WITH HARRIS.
Mr.. scragg went over in detail the
meetings between Grier and Harris,
and told how after Harris had prof
fered the money in Rohrwasser's.
Grier went to his attorney and told
him about II and the latter advised
him to get further evidence, and act
ing under this advice and upon the
advice Of we'll known business men.
accepted this $40, had it marked and
sealed in an envelope and placed in
the safe of his attorney, where it re-
mained until 1t was produced in
court, ITO the astonishment of the
prosecution" as Mr.. Scragg put 1t.
"That is all the money he ever re-
ceived. for this $1,40O went into the
pockets Of these detectives, who We're
cutting the eye teeth of Mr.. Sturges
and the other members of the munich
pal league" Mr. Scragg went on to say.
"If we show you these facts, we will
expect a verdict of not guilty at your
hands,"
Mr. Scragg also dwelt upon the fact
that the defendant had not in ANY
way tried to delay the trial of the
case, but that he was anxious aN the
first opportunity, after his arrest, to
have a jury of his countrymen pass
upon the question Of his guilt or in
nocence.
James Grier, the defendant, was the
first witness called. He was examined
by Attorney George S. Horn. Grier
said he was born in the Third ward Of
this city, thirty-tive years ago. and has
been a. member of the common council
since 1889. For two terms he was presi-
dent of that body. All of his life he
has been a working man. About May
appointment made by Il. j. Coleman.
The meeting was at Rohrwasser's
bakery. P. +. Calpin and Coleman
We're present at the time. Harris was
not there when he arrived, but came a
few minutes afterwards. Coleman tele-
phoned for him. Coleman introduced
Calpin and the witness to Harris, Civ
ing the latters name as Smith. The
detective pulled letter out of his
pocket and held it in his hand SO that
they could see the signature, and he
said he came as a representative of the
stockholders of the Scranton Railway
company. Harris then said if the Or
dinance taxing the company 3, and 5
per cent. was passed the company
would have to take up it's rails and go
out of business. He took a statement
out of his pocket and read figures to
show what the tax would mean to the
company.
OUGHT TO BE TANED.
Witness told Harris that he thought
that the company ought to be taxed,
but he would vote to have the ortli-
nance amended to figure that would
enable it to pass the select branch Of
the council. A former ordinance tax
ing the company 3. and 8 per cent.
died in select council, and he feared
the one under considerable would meet
the same fate unless it was suitably
amended. Nothing was said at this
meeting about $1,400 or 5000 for each
councilman, nor was anything said
about the witness being leader of
common council and that whatever
money was spent would have to pass
through his hands.
At his second meeting with Harris at
IsohrWasser's, Grier said Il. j. Coyne.
of the Twentieth ward, and Coleman
were present. Coleman arranged for
the meeting. Harris asked him how
many votes it would take to pass an
amendment, and he told him major
1ly OF those present. He asked how
many votes it would take to pass an
ordinance, and witness replied eleven.
Harris then wanted to know how many
votes 1t would require to pass the ordi-
nance over the mayors veto, and wit
ness told him fourteen, whereupon Har-
ris told him they would pay $500 each
for fourteen votes.
Grier, upon this. told him that he
had said he would vote for the ord:-
nance. but now that Harris had sug-
Eested bribe he would have nothing
more to do with the matter. When he
started to leave the room, Harris
grabbed him by the arm and wanted to
give him some money. Coyne had Just
passed out of the room. Grier, when
Harris tried to force the money on
him, said he had a mind to smash him
in the face" for insulting him in that
way, and both the witness and Coyne
told Harris he had left himself liable
to arrest by what he had just said and
done.
LEARNED HIS REAL NAME.
Grier and Coyne walked down to the
corner OF Penn avenue and Mulberry
street, and they talked about Harris.
Coyne told him what Harris real name
was, Grier having known him as Smith.