The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-11

AS was generally expected, the jury
in the case of Frank Silliman, jr., gen
eral manager of the Scranton Railway
company, charged with bribing Old
Forge councilmen, reported Il verdict
of acquittal, and as many prophecied
the costs were placed on the prosecu-
tor, William Repp.
The verdict was reported at the open
ing of court yesterday morning. The
jurors, Ii Is said, We're unanimous from
the outset for the verdict that was
returned and only remained out as
long as they did, that they might thor
oughly satisfy themselves as to the
righteousness of their finding.
The defense contended strenuously not
only for an acquttal but for II COM
plete vindicaton such as would come
of a verdict that PLACED. the costs on the
prosecutor. In his closing address
to the jury Mr. O'Brien pointed out
that the prosecutor was one of q party
of men who We're seeking Il franchise
for railway in Old Forge and one of
the plaintiffs in an equity suit, now
pending, to annul the existing fran
Chise
OBren contended, was prompted by
a desire to secure verdict that would
affect the equity case.
The costs in the case Will amount
to nearly $1,000 The defendants bill
will be $4O0 and that of the common
wealth somewhat larger, as number
of witnesses from Philadelphia, officers
of the Scranton and Pittston Railway
company, were subpoenaed by Mr.
Repp.
The case was vigorously fought on
both sides and the successful attorneys
were the recipients of many congratu-
lations, yesterday. Major Everett War
ren. Hon. G. p. O'Malley. Joseph
OBrien and NJ. j. Martin represented
the defense. The private counsel Tor
the prosecution were II. NJ. Hannah
and Cornelius Comegys.
The case can not be retired as the
commonwealth can not appeal, and the
defendant is not liable to re-arrest as
the statute of limitation interferes.
Morgan Sweeney, special agent of the
Scranton Railway company, dld not
fare as we'll at jury's hands as did
his chief. MIR. Sweeney was tried yes
terCay. before Judge Edwards. IN
court room No. 2, for aggravated as
sault and battery on a ten-year-old son
of Anthony McGurn, and verdict
was found of guilty of assault and bat
terv with a recommendation for eX-
treme mercy.
The Sweeneys ana McGurns are
neighbors in the Twelfth ward. near
No. ? school. Boys from the school,
W.
to invade a lot belonging to Sweeney,
on which his barn was located and to
occasionally throw stones at MIR.
Sweeneys aged father when he would
appear at the barn. Once they locked
the old man in the barn and then
threw stones through the windows.
One day last June, the boys were at
their wonted capers when Mr.. Sweeney
swooped down on them and captured
the McGurn boy. The prosecution
claims he threw the lad to the ground
face downward, caugh1 him by the
ears and pressed his face into the
ground. Mr.. Sweeney swore he simply
caught the lad by an ear and held him
while he reprimanded him and told
him what he would do to him if he
did not keep away from the premises
and cease annoying his aged father.
The boys left ear was iacerated and
his right ear slightly cut as If by finger
nails. DR.. O'Malley testified to having
put two stitches in the left ear.
WITNESSES WE'RE. RADICAL.
Some of the witnesses for the prose-
cution evidenced n desire to make
things as black as possible against Mr..
Sweeney. Hon. G. p. OMalley con-
tented himself in the cross-eXamination
of some Of these evidently biased Wit
nesses. with having them demonstrate
their animosity. One of them, Mrs.