The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-11
P|asS Offered to Settle Liquor Cases
for S4OO--EaSt Providence Politics
Figured in the Proposal.

The trial OF Rev. Norman Plass under
an indictment charging him with black
mail drew to Judge 'Xilburs court this
morning a very large crowd OF people
long before $3.50 o'clock the hour set for
the trial. There were large number Of
clergymen, several ladies' and many
members of the Anti-Saloon League
and its sympathizers in court. Attor-
ney General Tanner represented the
state and Cooke & Angel the defend
ant.
There were but two witnesses called
for the state previous TO the beginning
OF the testimony for the defendant.
United States Commissioner Charles c.
Mumford and Col. Van Slyck were
the witnesses. They were not cross-ex-
amined by counsel on the other side.
though when the defendant was put
upon the stand he denied about every
statement OF a direct nature the two
gentlemen had made.
a feature of the trial was the testi-
mony of Col. Van Slyck i'm regard TO
Whe political aspirations Of Mr.. William
McAuslan of East Providence. Col.
Van Slyck said that Mr.. Plass told him
one OF the reasons the settlement OF
the cases was so costly was the oppo-
sition of Mr.. McAuslan, who had once
been defeated for the town council
through the efforts OF Mr.. Boyden. Mr..
McAuslan. it seems. expected by the
aid OF the Anti-Saloon League 10 get
the coveted prize of town council pres
ident.
When Col. Van Slyck wrote declin-
ing TO accept. in behalf of Mr.. Boyden
Rev. Mr.. Plass offer, the latter hurried
to explain that the talk about Mr.. Nc
Anslan was all mistake Rev Mr..
Plass devoted a good deal Of time to
Mr.. McAuslan when on the witness
stand.
Both the state and defence challenged
a number of jurors. The jury as finally
made up was: David Glover. Provi-
dence; Lilley B, Mowry, Smithield
Howard Thornton. f.. Lewis Clark.
Providence Charles II. Snow. North
Providence; Joseph Myette. Cumber-
land; Seneca Catelle Scituate; j. l..
Jordan. Cranston, Charles Smith Cum
berland: Robinson y. Howard Pi,oVi-
dence: William RI. Searll and Samuel
Bottomley. Providence. Mr.. Glover
was appointed foreman. Mr.. Glover
jurors called was Michael j. Keefe. a
liquor dealer. He promptly told Judge
Wilbur his business and was excused.
SELECTING JURORS.
Arthur Winsor, a stone cutter was
the first juror examined. He had talk
ed Of the case with a man named Pat
ton. Asked how he came to talk about
IL. his answer was Every one talked
about it," He had formed an opinion
and was not a member or subscriber OF
the Anti Saloon league. Mr.. Winsor
told Mr. Cooke he could hr governed in
his verdict by the evidence and bad no
prejudice against the prosecution.
Seneca Catelle. a carpenter ~ Scitu-
ate. had formed no opinion. He had
heard nothing OF the case nor had be
read ANYTHING about Il.
The attoreny- general asked witness II
he was a member or subscriber 10 the
lnti-saloon league. mo" was the an
swer.
Attorney Cooke: care you subscrib-
or 10 the liquor league?' This question
called forth loud laughter ana applause
from the friends of Mr.. Plass.
Judge Wilbur gave Deputy Sheriff
Thayer orders TO clear the court room
II there was another such demonstra-
tion. His honor said the audience were
not I'm place I'm which such demon
strations were IN order. The matter
was one OF very serious consequences
10 the defendant.
The Juror said he was not a sub
scrlber TO the liquor league.
When Archibald Martin had been
asked ~ he had formed an opinion. and
his answer was In the negative, At
torney General Tanner asked. Are you
q subscriber TO the Anti-saloon
league? Yes" came the answer.
Attorney General Tanner: "Tf your
honor please. challenge FOR cause"
Mr. Cooke: Suppose he lis a MEM
ber7"
Attorney General Tanner: 'T have
90 submit 10 the court II
necessary
Mr.. Cooke said: "f am informed by
my associate Mr.Angen, that the appel
late court held that 90 was not ground
for a new tria that q member NJ the
same society was on tho fury. sub
scriber 10 the league IS not the same
as n member'e
SENDS FOR AUTHORITIES
Attorney General Tanner sent FOR
20 sustain his challenge.
Mr. Cooke again stated tha. O sub
scriber was not the same as a member
Attorney General Tanner then did a
fair thing. lie asked Mr.. Martin " ne
had made more than one subscription Il
60 the league. Mr. Martin said. no.
To Mr. Cooke Martin said n man
came 10 his shoD.nnd asked FOR a sub I
scription and got &C.
Attorney General Tanner then with