The Washington times., 1901-09-23
BUSINESS OF THE COURTS.
Rodney Case Comes Up Today Be-
fore Chief Justice Bingham.
The Retired Naval officer Cited to
Show Cause Why He Failed TO Obey
the Order Requiring Him to Pay
AiimOny-Bonine Trial in October.

Lieutenant Commander Robert Burton
Rodney, u. S. N. retired, who is
being sued for divorce by his wife,
Margaret E. Rodney. is cited to
appear before Chief Justice Bng
ham of the Supreme Court of the
District today and show cause why he
failed to obey the order of the court re-
quiring him to pay alimony to his wife
during the pendency of the proceedings
Besides being sued for divorce by his
wife. Mr.. Rodney, too. has filed a petit
ton asking for a legal separation from
Mrs. Rodney. IN both instances the sep
aration is asked for on the grounds of
cruelty.
The domestic troubles of the Rodneys
have been a subject for adjustment before
the local courts on several occasions since
November last, when the parties were
married at Toronto, Canada. The pro-
ceedings are always watched with much
interest because the matter seldom comes
up for hearing that there is not some
new and interesting development
The infeiicities of the couple were first
brought to the attention of the court last
spring by Mrs. Rodney, who filed suit
against her husband for separate support
and maintenance. At that time there was
staying with Mrs. Rodney as a compan-
ion a Miss Cole, her cousin, who came
here with her from Toronto. Lieu
tenant Commander Rodney did not ap-
prove of Miss Coles presence in
his household and upon her refusal to
leave at his request, it is said, he
thereupon determined to freeze her
out" by not allowing any fire to be made
in her apartment. AS Mrs. Rodney and
Miss Cole occupied the same apartment
the former declared that she was the suf-
ferer of the freezing out" process After
considerable litigation the differences be-
tween Mr.. Rodnev and his wife were
anlicably settled and the suit was with
drawn. Several months after however
Mrs. Rodney commenced proceedings for
divorce on the grounds of cruelty and in
sufficient support. When the petition of
Mrs. Rodney was presented TO the court
il was ordered that her husband should
pay her SIS month as aiimony during the
pendcncy of the proceedings.
The grand jury, which adjourned on
Monday last out of respect for the mem
CRY of President Mckinley, will resume
its work this morning. 1t will, however,
in all probability not make any report
until its final presentment Is made at the
close of the present term of court. In the
meantime there are several important
matters which it has under consideration
which will be acted upon before the term
of service of the members of the jurr
expires.
Assistant District Attorney Hugh T
Taggart, who was confined to his home
by illness for ten days or more, was at
the City Hall on Saturday. Since the be-
ginning of the presentation of evidence
TO the grand jury in reference to the kill
ing of James Seymour Ayres at the Ken
more Hotel on May Is last, Mr.. Taggart
has had charge OF the case. and was pre-
pairing the testimony for presentation at
the trial of Mrs. Lola Ida Henry Bonine
when he became i'll.
In speaking of the matter on Saturday,
the District Attorney stated that he did
not think this would cause any delay in
bringing the case to trial soon after the
beginning of the October term of the Dis
trict Court 1t is expected that the trial,
from the beginning of the empaneling of
the jury TO the return of verdict will
extend over six weeks. While there will
be great number of witnesses offered by
both the Government and the defence, it
is expected that the time of securing a
jury to pass upon the. evidence and
the hearing of the testimony, will be
In the event that the Bonine case is not
ready for trial at the beginning of the
term, as soon as both sides are prepared
other business viii be sidetracked in one
branch of the criminal division of the
court in order that there may be no -un-
necessary delay.