The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-01
SOLOMON
JURY CAM
NOT AGREE
But a Decision May Be
Reached To-Day.
STRONG SPEECHES
TURNED THE TIDE
An Able Argument is Made by
the Prosecution.
THE INSTRUCTIONS
GIVEN THE JURY
They We're In the Main Not Favorable
to the Sheriff-Good Defense Put
Up by Messrs. Carter and
Smith to Offset the Efforts
Of Messrs. Bryan and
Meredith Details.

BY sheer force Of an argument, rapid
and brilliant and strong, the prosecuting
counsel in the Solomon trial yesterday
effected in the minds of several OF the
twelve men sitting in Judgment on the
case change so important and SO obvi-
GUS that when evening came, and with
1t a close OF the long and tresome day
the jury was for the time at least hope
lessy divided against itself, and had to
be held over until this morning that 1t
might give further consideration to the
vexed questions before 1t.
When the morning of the fifth day
brought with 1t around the courthouse
( o renewal OF the scenes Of the past week.
1t was with somewhat of an air of list.
lessness that the spectators gathered,
drifting in in twos and threes, rather
unconcernedly. as it appeared. It seemed
to all SO certain that the day would
mean an acquittal Of the accused that
few bothered themselves about the fore
gone conclusion. The defense was sure
Of Its case, and was willing to submit 1t
without argument. The crowd was dis
posed to believe with tho defense that
tho favorable verdict had already been
won.
A Great Argument.
But in few moments the air Of the
courtroom was wonderfully changed
suddenly fresh and stirring-and the list
lcssncss, OF the crowd had fallen away
to give place to a keen and unexpected
interest. The cause Of the rapid change
was the tall figure of the Commons
wcalths lawyer, as he stood, making
strong and vigorous argument, a conf
dence totally unanticipated in his voice.
From the first words OF Mr.. Bryan It
became evident that the argument was
to be anything but the brief and per-
functory affair expected by the defense
that, in fact, before the day was done,
1t might prove an influence of telling
power. Mr.. Bryan spoke about an hour.
and when he stopped the ball had been
fairly set rolling. His chaste and elegant
language. his clear and vigorous thought.
his strong and eloquent appeals, upset
many preconceived Ideas, and started that
transformation that was to manifest It
self at the days end.
The defense were not long In realizing
the situation, and they arose to the occa-
sion In a manner that did them eminent
credit They had not expected an elab-
crate argument but they were literally
forced into 1t. Mr.. Smith made a strong
and telling speech. and Mr.. Carter fol-
lowed, Both were excellent toward ac-
compllshing their design. though they
were totally different. Mr.. Smith mads
n powerful argument from law and evi-
dence; Mr.. Carter devoted portion OF
his time to the humorous side Of the sit-
uation In a manner that threw tho court
room into commissions. Throughout his
entire speech this vein OF hulnor ahowed
Itself.
Then the last, and by many held to be
the most powerful speech of the day.
was delivered by Mr.. Meredith, represent
ha pa Nd
Power Company. 1t is impossible In a
word TO sum up the argument OF Mr..
Meredith 1t was clear-cut. positive, at
times almost fierce, particularly when
1t dealt with the midnight assassins the
thugs. the irresponsibles Richmond has
found 1t her misfortune to find within
herself One feature Of the speech over
shadowed all others. Mr. AIeredlth's
alignment of the Incompetent judge and
the comprehensive policy of the sheriff
to follow the advice of tho former and
disregard of the latter--was something
mastery in It's way.
With the Jury.
After this the case went to the Jury.
1t was evident by this time that IT would
I not be matter OF a few minutes, as had
| been expected. The transformation had
been effected. II the case mad been SUP
! mitted without argument the defense
/, would have won hands down. Blu. the
strong speeches OF the two relentless
prosecutors had made some things APP
pear differently from what they had
done at first, The minutes flew by. An
hour slipped away. and still was there
no verdict Once the jury raped on The
door, and nn expertant hush fell over
| the eager crowd. But 1t was only 4 jury
man who wanted to know II they couldn't
bring in a majority verdict. They could
reach no agreement, The thing was ex-
planned to him. and the door Was closed
| again.
Finally Judge Sims called the gentle
| men back to the court room and asksd
| them II they would rather so on or ad-
journ until to-day. They said they dif-
| fered on a question OF fact. and that they
could not agree and saw no hope OF an
| agreement last night. Some of them
had to go many miles to reach home.
and they preferred to adjourn until to-
cay at 10 O'Clock This was done.
| Tho defense claim ten, or at least eight.
of the jlrymen for acquittal, The prose-
cution deny so many. and declare that
they never had so much hope Of success
| as now
The Opening. Vt
IT was few minutes after II o'clock
before Judge Sims came into the court-
!. house. BY tHis time Ihe place was per-
! haps better. filled than II had yet boen,