The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-27
Concluding Speech For the
Defense Begun.
MR.. OSBORNE rs MAKING IT
Last Speech in the Case to be Made by
Mr. Watson.
ARGUMENTS BY Mr.. PoU AND GOV. JARVIS
Both Of Them Made Strong Presentation of
Their Ccn!en ions. Mr. Poq's Speech
Vas a Mastery Effort.

Today will witness the closing scenes
of one of the greatest trials in North
Carolina history-the impeachment of
Chief Justice David M Furches and As
sociate Justice Robert M. Douglas, of the
Supreme court.
When court adjourned last night the
concluding speech for the defense was be-
ing delivered by Mr.. Osborne. He had
spoken only little more than half an hour,
but he will conclude this morning.
Mr.. Watson for the prosecution, will
follow him and make the last speech in
the trial. The case will then be with
the Senate-to say whether the respon
dents are guilty or not guilty of the acts
charged against them.
There was plenty of action in yester
days proceedings of the court Things
happened. and happened rapidly.
Mr.. James H. Pou opened the ball with
a speech of three hours. 1t was, as even
his opponents in the case declared, a
mastery effort. Carefully prepared, log
ical, learned and covering every point in
the case--it was an argument in every
way equal to the occasion. 1t was a.
speech full of vigor and power, and it
was delivered in such manner as to
hold the closest attention of Senators
and those who crowded the Hobbies and
galleries.
Governor Jarvis spoke for two hours and
a quarter at the afternoon session of the
court. He, like Mr.. Pou, spoke in most
interesting manner, and was listened to
with marked attention. 1t was a speech
of lusty power-eloquent and persuasive
throughout.
1t was pitched on the key of politics
and directed mainly to the Democratic
Senators.
Mr.. Osborne spoke rapidly, but always
to the point. His sentences were short
and pointed, and all of his utterances
daring in conception and fearless in de-
livery.
Having made up my mind that this
prosecution is unjust" he said, Il do the
duty Of the hour and fling defiance to the
future"
And SO the day was one not only of
action. but of color as well-sometimes
violet. hidalgic; always interesting.
Today the speech making will end and
the trial will pass into history.
1t is not known exactly when the YER
dict will be taken. Some Senators favor
an executive session after the argument
Of counsel is concluded others contend
that enough speeches have been made and
nothing can be added to the argument.
Some want to vote Immediately, while
still others favor an adjournment till noon
on Thursday when the roll shall be called
and the verdict made up.
All Senators, however, agree on this
point-anxiety to get home-and it is GER
tain that the vote will be taken at the
Earliest moment consistent with per-
feet fairness and justice. 1t may be,
therefore, that a session will be held To-
night for that purpose.
When the vote is taken on the Articles
of impeachment, on conclusion of the
trial, the clerk will read each article and
at The end thereof he will call the name
of each Senator. who shall rise in his
place, and thereupon the presiding officer
shall put the following question:
= Mr.. ---, how say you, are the re-
spondents, David NJ Furches and Robert
NJ. Douglas guilty or not guilty, as
charged in article of impeachment
Whereupon each Senator shall answer
guilty or mot guilty.
Ii the impeachment shall not, upon any
OF the articles presented, be sustained
by the votes of two-thirds of the MEM
bers present judgment of acquittal
shall be entered; but If the person ac-
cused in such article Of impeachment
shall be convicted upon any of said arti-
cles by the votes Of two thirds of the
members present the Senate shall pro-
coed to pronounce judgment, and GER
tined copy of such judgment shall be de-