The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-12
Argument and Judges Charge
Completed at 11:22 O'clock.
No Verdict Had Been Reached When
Court ReaSSemb|ed After the Re-
CESS Prospect Of Disagreement.

There was a large attendance at
Judge Wilbur's court this morning TO
witness the final proceedings in the
trial of Rev. Norman Plass for alleged
blackmail. A large number OF clergy
men and a few ladies watched the pro-
ceedings with much interest until the
retirement of the jury. Friends Of Mr..
Plass took great interest in the able
argument made by Attorney General
Tanner.
About half an hour after the jury re-
tired there was a knock on the door OF
the jury room and every tae expected
that the verdict was ready. and those
who had followed the trial thought the
circumstance favorable \ the accused.
The jury had not agreed, however, nor
had II reached a verdict when the court
reassembled at p. M There was a
general belief that the result would be
a disagreement when the jury did not
return Inside of two hours.
Stephen A. Cooke made the closing
argument for the defendant late yes
terday afternoon. Mr. Cooke in his long
and able address declared the charge
made by the state as nonsensical and
said the prosecution, or those who de-
sired Plass prosecuted, were trying to
crush the reform movement in the
state. and that good and true men. when
they have sought to advance the inter
ests of a reformation hcve always been
throttled by the Vaccinations OF the
men they have opposed.
MIR. TANNERS ARGUMENT.
Shortly before 10 o'clock this morning
Attorney General Tanner began his
closing argument. He said he must be-
fore considering the evidence reply to
the structures upon the states witness
II am proud as is every member of the
bar except the counsel for the defend
ant to rank myself with the attorneys.
who were witnesses for the state yes
terday. No men could stand higher at
the bar than they do. They are not
criminal lawyers. Their names stand
for probity and honesty wherever they
are known"
Mr. Tanner In his terse and vigorous
manner tfren proceeded TO consider the
under which Messrs Van
Slyck and Mumford went TO Plass' Of
flee and the letter written by Plass 10
Boyden. Had any one else but such
party as the head of such an associa-
tion as the league done as had the de-
fendant you would consider IT as
bluff. Surely you are not to judge this
man more leniently than any other
man. Some might believe he should De
judged more strictly but not more Ie-
niently.
The attorney general then went over
the conference between Mr.. Mumford
and Mr.. Plass. That Mr.. Boyden acted
wisely i'm sending counsel to see a man
Mhn Without any legal authority wrote
such a letter was very evident. Why
should the cases against Mr.. Boyden
be considered worth as PISS said Shey
were $1,000 to the league unless Boyden
would pay something? Could YOU con-
slider any better way by which the mat
ter could be led up TO than by consid-
ering and talking about the expenses
or witnesses? Did Il not seem best t.
talk indirectly i'm the hone Of getting a
personal interview in regard TO the set
Ting of the cases.
THAT INTERVIEW.
The attorney general argued that Mr..
Plass after Mr.. Van Slyck came 20 him
and said IL would be impossible to have
personal interview came nearer 10
full statement OF what ne wanted. The
manner otfPlass on the witness stand