The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-30
POLITICS IN QUIMDY CASE.
FAITH HEALERS WORRY THE
WESTMINSTER STATESMEN.
Grand Jury May Say Something About Mrs.
Eddy To-day. but she " ont he Indicted
--Misdemean Likely 10 Re Charged
Against Lathr0p and the Quimbys.

Against LathrOp and the Quimbys.
WHITE PLAINS. Oct. 20.--The Grand Jury
Of Westchester county is expected TO pre-
sent its findings tomorrow in the cases
Of John Carroll Lathrop. the young Chris
tian Science practitioner, and John and
Georgianna Quimby. the parents OF little
Esther Cuimhy. who died from diphtheria
after being prayed over by La,hrop 1t
was said to-day that while possibly Mrs.
E1dy's name might he mentioned in the
Grand Jury's presentment, which is ex-
pected to go into the matter Of Christian
Science practic' in West chester count
pretty thoroughly because of the unusual
interest attaching to this case. there was
n lik 'lihood Of an indictment being brought
in against the founder and acknowledged
leader Of the cult.
The statement was made to-day by
Assistant Dist riot Attorney Weeks that
the Grand Jury had not been asked to
indict Mrs. Eddy. as some reports had 1t 4.
and that the only thing TO warrant such a
rumor was a suggestion made by Coroner
Banning before the Grand Jury that the
members investigate Mrs. Eddy's rela-
ton TO those who practise Christian Science
as regular heaers. Coroner Banning said
to-day:
1T is true that made such suggestion
to the Grand Jury. but did not go 40 far
as to ask that Mrs. Eddy be indicted At
the same time the question may be raised
Is TO her responsibility in any case like
this a. the instigator of the practice which
is called Christian Science. Patrick may
not have actually killed Mr. Rice, but the
jury convicted him because the evidence
business by which Mr., Rice came to his
death. Mrs. Eddys connection with these
attempts at healing was what | thought
1t might be interesting to investigate.
Assistant District Attorney Weeks said
that there was nothing for which Mrs, Eddy
could be held and nothing Of which she
could be convicted
Mrs. Eddy. said Mr. Weeks. was not
in this State when this crime was COM
mitted and could not, under just ice Cullen y
decision he extradted. She would have to
have been here when the Quimby child al. d
and then have left the State. Her teachings
and works would not be sufficier, evidence
against her"
Neither Mr. Weeks nor Foreman Tour
nier would give any clue to-day as to what
the Grand Jurys finding would he, but
from little things that have come out il
Is pretty certain that the Grand Jury at its
session yesterday decided by n vote to bring
in indictments In the cases of Lathrop and
the Quimbys.
1t is not believed now that these indict
ments will be for granddaughter, which
was the charge on which they were held
by the Coroner. The opinion of some Of
the lawyers is that n material overt act
would have to be shown in order to prove
manslaughter, Coroner Banning himself
said to-day that he expected the indiCt T.
ments, il any were found would be for a
misdemeanor the maximum penalty for
which would be $500 fine and imprison-
| ment for year. The charge would be
neglect, under Section 2ss Of the Penal Code
Foreman 1ournier was closeted wit
the District Attorney for awhile to-day.
II is believed To be the intention Of him
self and his associates to proceed very eau.
'iouslv In the matter and TO avoid giving
an opportunity for lathrop and the others
to bose a. martyrs ~ their cause.
The Grand Jury IL 10 convene at 10 o clock
this morning and will hen vote. it Ia said
on the form of indict ment To be drawn
II Is expected that the presentment will
he placed in the hands of judge Carrot
Young has said that IL indict men,s are
found he will bring the case to trial with
all possible speed II would be the first
case of tn" kind ever tried before a jury
The Christian Scientists are quite strong
In West chester, and il was said to-day that
attempts had been made by some memle
Of TN" sect To get political leaders 10 inter-
vene in the present proceedings. Some
Of the candidates for Office have been ap-
preached, and the matter il causing no
little anxiety TO them and TO the politicians.
Some Of the politicians. it is said, have
beon in favor Of holding the matter over.
hut Dist riot Attorney Young deemed it
best 10 bring the case AT once before the
Grand Jury. The Grand Jury is sup
posed To he above political Influence, but
there were some persons who said to-day
that they would not be surprised to SEQ
the whole matter referred to the November
Grand Jury. Tina, the case had assumed
political aspect was freely admitted.