The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-18
HIGH SCHOOL SENATE.
The Prosecutions Case Against Sem
ator boe-Sch Happenings.

A larger crowd never attended a session
of the Shortridge High School Senate than
was present yesterday afternoon to hear
the second session of the trial of Senator
W. j. Deboe Charles Christian on a
charge of libel. The defense began its side
of the case yesterday, and after six wit
nesses had been examined rested. The
meeting was exceedingly interesting. and
applause was frequent. 1t is estimated
that more than three hundred persons were
present.
Senator Pritchard Carl Pritchard). lead
ing counsel for the defense, stated his case
and called Aurelius C. Reneheidleton as
the first witness. He testified that he was
superintendent at the insane hospital. and
that Hasty Ondejump, Washington CORE
spondent for the Indianapolis Journal, had
been an inmate OF the institution and had
escaped but was not returned, as ne was
harmless. Witness declared that Onde-
jump, who was a witness for the prosecu-
ton, was laboring under the delusion that
he was a reporter and was always on the
ookou for stories, Cross-eXaminatlon
by Senators Fairbanks John White) and
Bacon Crank Doudican), attorneys for
the government. failed 10 rattle the wit
ness, but showed plainly the latter's lin
tied amount of knowledge of the insane
hospital. ReneheidletOn'S Herbert Wag-
ner) testimony only consisted of his state
ment that Ondejump was not a sane man.
There was a silence in the chamber when
Attorney Pritchard called his next witness,
the accused, Senator William j. Deboe, and
all eyes were turned toward the Kentucky
senator. The senator slowly left the table,
where he had been sitting with his lawyers.
and took the stand. He admitted having
sent the letter TO Senator Perkins, as
claimed by the prosecution. and testified
that he was not guilty of libel because he
did have positive evidence Of Judge Can
trill taking a bride In the shape of a check
from Governor Beckham for $4,000. Ii was
charged that Judge Cantrill used the money
to send Taylor and Finley to prison. Sen
ator Deboe spoke in a clear, convincing
manner, but when turned over TO the pros
ecuting attorneys he went up in the air. ."
The gentleman was decidedly mixed on
matters pertaining to his native State, and
ton he overheard between Governor Beck
ham and Judge Cantrill, during which the
former bribed the judge, the witness went
wrong."
The next witness was Senator Marcus l..
Hanna, of Ohio ruth Patterson.) Senator
Hanna said that he had gone to Kentucky
for the purpose OF investigating charges Of
corruption. and had seen the check claimed
to have been given Judge Cantrill by Beck
ham. He was a good witness, and could
not be ratified by crOss-Questioning.
Senator Blackburn, Of Kentucky. testified
as to Hanna's actions. A round of applause
greeted the junior senator from Indiana
Games Gipe) when he went to the stand.
Senator Beverage said he was sent 10 in
vestigate the charges Of bribery in Ken
lucky by the late Governor Mount. Bev-
eridge's testimony was a repetition of
Blackburn's.
At the conclusion of his testimony Sena-
tor Pritchard made a few remarks on his
case, after which the Senate adjourned.
The meeting next Friday will be devoted
to argument and ballOting.