The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-28

Three jurors were secured this morn
ing in the Gardnerpt trial out of nine men
who were examined. This is much faster
progress than had been expected. The
feature of examinations is the care ex-
ercised by the state to learn whether
jurors have relatives or friends on the
police force and whether they are per-
sonal friends Of Mayor Ames. This care
is probably born of an expectation on the
part of Assistant County Attorney AL j..
Smith, who is trying the case, that the
attorneys for the defense, Messrs. w. W.
Erwin and Henry S. Mead, will argue that
the indictment Of Irwin A. Gardner, to-
gether with the indictments of other po-
lice officials, was caused by political enc
mics of the administration for the pur-
pose of discrediting the mayor.
The defense is asking all veniremen
whether they have prejudice against
cases Of this character, IN which a public
official is accused of bribery; and whether
they feel revengeful toward the admins
tration.
John NJ Dodson was sworn without be-
ing asked whether he had formed an OPP
inion or was prejudiced. The defense
| did not challenge; and Mr.. Smith put to
him one question only an inquiry as to
whether he had any relative on the force.
He replied mo- and was at once &C
cepted. -+E-.
Gardner Takes a Hand.
Irwin A. Gardner, the defendant, sat d.
rectly behind his attorneys. Frequently
he conferred with Them. He appears
greatly Interested, but bears himself we'll
and is not obviously SOLICITORS The in
dictment accuses him of having accepted
'big mitt combine as protection"
money. So - =. 80, -. - -
At recess Judge Harrison cautioned the
jurors sworn not to talk about the case,
| nor to permit others to discuss it within
| their hearing. He ordered them to re-
| to discuss the matter with them, and, In
| closing, said: ''I shall deal very severely
with any attempt to influence jurors in
this CASE 1t is likely that the jury
| will be remanded to the custody of the
| sheriff once the trial begins in earnest.
Mead Wants the. Book.
! At the opening of proceedings and be-
fore the first prospective juror had been
called, Henry S. Mead made formal mo-
| ton asking the court to make an order
requiring the county attorney to produce
book in which, the defense said,
members of the '*big mitt:' combine
had kept what purported to be record
Of the various sums of money which they
claim TO have paid the defendant fol
protection" Mr.. Smith said he had
never seen such book, and did not know
except that he had heard Of it through
the daily papers that such a record was
in existence. On inquiry from Mr.. Mead
he said he had not been in the grand jury
room when the case came up there and sc
could not say whether any such book hao
been produced at that time. The mo-
ton was overruled, and the defense took
an exception. ..'#s,
Mr.. Mead asked that triers be appointed
and Frank P. Nantz, James Robertson
and J. B. Phelps were worn. The first
juror called was Edgar ]. Cooper. He
was questioned as to his residence, age
business and was then asked whether he
was related to OF knew either Mr.. Gard
ner, Link" Crossman, Billy Edwards
or Mr.. Smith. Mr.. Cooper admitted hav-
ing read of the case in the newspapers
Further questioned he said he had formed
and expressed an opinion which it woult
take strong evidence to remove. Ihe
challenge was then submitted, and Mr.
Smith brought out the fact that the opin
ion was simply general one, not going
to the facts in the present case. It wa:
! evident that Mr.. Cooper did not wish tt
serve and he was excused.
The second man called was Hamilton
Crawford of 729 East Seventeenth street
| bookbinder. He had read about the
charges against police officials in the
papers and had discussed the matter. HI
knew nothing, however, about the details
Of the present case, although he had I
I general opinion which would require evi
:, dence to remove. The juror was ex
cused, Mr. Smith admitting the challenge
Louis Hog1and, a farmer from Wayzata
was then called, Mr.. HIGHLAND had reat
of the case, but had not talked about it
nor heard any opinion expressed about it
Fe lad formed no opinion Asked If h
4 would be influenced By public clamor,
he thought not. Asked If he had an!
prejudice which would make him require
/ more evidence in defense than for tn.
state in order to vote for an acquittal
Mr.. Hogland replied that he had not
The question was" objected to but thu
s objection was overruled. He was sworl
as the first Juror.
A Barber Who Knew Mead.
Charles B. schilling gave his residence
: | ae Cedar LIKE and said ha was a Sharher