The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-20
Mr.. Miller Breaks Down and Weeps
While Being Questioned About His
Early Life and His Wife.
sPAAN SCORES CHRIsTIANCY
INDIANAPOLIS LAWYER BITTER IN
BEHALF OF THE DEFENSE.
Calls a Washington Omcial Sneak,
Who Should BE on Trial Instead
of the Terre Haute Man.

OF Daniel Voorhees, Miller and Joseph NJ
Johns for alleged conspiracy TO extort a
bride from John j. Ryan, the first of the
postal fraud cases to be heard. made I'M
expected progress to-day, as the govern
ment did not introduce any OF the witnesses
that had been subpoenaed to testify against
the previous regulations Of the defendants.
The afternoon was devoted to arguments,
SO that only little over two hours Is left
for arguments tomorrow. The charge to
the jury of Judge Albert c. Thompson, Of
the United States District Court. in the
former trial occupied an hour, and If IT
should be equally lengthy this time the
case would still go TO the jury before the
noon recess tomorrow.
When Ii became known that arguments
were in progress during the afternoon the
courtroom was packed. While the case
has been strongly contested during the
testimony all week. IL was especially noted
for the vigor of the Arguments this after
noon. Assistant District Attorney Darby
arraigned the defendants conspirators
I'm the strongest terms, and while he did
not undertake to defend John ]. Ryan in
dividually he did defend his testimony by
reviewing its corroboration by other wit
nesses. Charles w. Baker, in his argu-
ment, insited that Ryan is the one who
ought to be on trial instead of Joseph NJ.
Johns. and Henry N. Spaan insisted that
G. A. c. Christiancy is the one who ought
20 have been investigated indicted and
tried instead of his assistant. ID. V. Miller.
MILLERS TESTIMONY.
When court convened this morning ex-
animation OF Mr.. Miller. one of the defend
ants, was continued. Miller was examined
by Rulison for almost an hour before court
adjourned last night and during the fore
noon to-day. reviewing the Investigations.
hearings and fraud rulings in the cases
Of Ryan and others. When the reports Of
the postoffice inspectors were submitted
Miller acted as prosecutor and Christiancy
as judge when parties appeared with their
counsel before the department, and the de-
cisions rendered were those Of Christiancy
After the Ryan case was heard last No
vember Miller had no communication with
Johns, except to advise him finally OF ia
yorable decision by Christiancy after Ryan
& Co. had changed their business so IS to
comply with the postal laws. In wiring
Johns that copy of the decision In the
Ryan case had been mailed him the witness
signed the telegram "Jim." as that was the
name Johns had given Miller. He denied
writing Johns previously H US Tor OF him to see
ing any interest whatever in Johns, except
as an old friend.
shortly AFTER III o CLOCK. when Mr.. RulfSOn
questioned Miller about his early life and
his wife, who was in the courtroom the
witness broke down and wept while the
witness stand. After this incident he was
subjected to cross-examnation by Assistant
District Attorney Darby. Miller was ques-
toned about the differences in his state
ments as reported by Stenographer Watson
when the latter was concealed behind Bris-
tows desk. and as reported subsequently,
by Stenosrapher Iuliis; whom the witness
knew TO be present at the time in Bristow' 5
office. and I'm his testimony at both trials.
AT what was called 1.-The first sweat-box"
Interview, when Stenographer Watson was
concealed, Assistant Attorney General
Robb had told the witness that the govern
ment had copies of several kilograms to
Johns when Miller knew he had sent only
one about the Ryan case and 1t was signed
Jim"
THE WATSON REPORT
Miller admitted that the Watson re-
port was corrected in his reply then to
General Robb and Chief Inspector Coch-
ran: that he had sent the Christiancy de-
cision to John J. Ryan direct and not to
John NJ. Johns. but he had afterward cor
rected this statement and explained that
he mailed the decision and letter sep
arately to Johns and at the time sent the
= Jim telegram for Johns to see Ryan on
receiving the letters. The witness said
Ryan had impressed him in Washington
previously as one who would do anything
to advance his own interests. Judge
Thompson severely directed the witness TO
answer questions without arguing his case
and at times during the cross-examna ton
Mr. Bakers arraignment of John J.
Ryan. the chief witness of the prosecution
was even more severe than on the former
trial and he pressed his inquiries on the
government IL there was a conspiracy be-
tween the dsIendants ana Ryan, as to why
Johns and Miller He insisted that RYAN
had not been corroborated except by At.
torney Nolan, of St Louis, whom he
'classed with Ryan" Baker insisted thai
General Robb had not been fair with
Miller when he bad Watson concealed be-
hjnc the desk in Bristow's Office and Their
called Miller into the room and assured
him that he wanted to do sthe soIIart
thing" In closing Baker insisted that the
case or the government rested upon tbs
testimony OF John j. Ryaa, whose persona
and business life he reviewed in the mos
severe terms.
MR. SPANS ARGUMENT.
Henry N. Span. of Indianapolis. one o.
the attorneys for Miller. followed Baker il
a strong arraignment of George ~ Chris
tiancy. whom he referred to repeatedly a.
''the sneak" in the case. Christiancy wa.
first assistant attorney general under
General Tyner as assistant postmaster fol
the Postoffice Department during all III,
period that Miller was the second assistan
attorney general. He insisted that the in
dictment charged in all of its six counts
a conspiracy between Miller, Johns an,
Ryan and that there was no evidence I,
show when or where such conspiracy wa
Matched. He argued at length in review
ing the evidence and hearings in the Post
office Department 10 show that Christianc,
acted as judge while Miller was the prose
cutor. and claimed that ChristIancy at
tempted to himself by throwing ali tn
blame on to Miller and that his client wa
made the ''scapegoat of the department
He read Christiancys cross-examination &
show that Christiancy misstated the fact
when he said he did not know the content
Of he QGf Of hA cfs1sf4o fr,r.
tors when the favorable decision was rem
dered in the Ryan case and insisted tina
Christiancy Is the one who ought to be OF
trial instead of Miller. the same as Bake
had claimed that Ryan ought to have bee
indicted instead OF Johns.
Court adjourned until tomorrow mornin
before Mr.. Spaan completed his argument
District Attorney Sherman Mcpherson vii
close the case and after the charge o
Judge Thompson the case viii be In tn
hands of the jury, while they are at lunch
con tomorrow noon.
Negro Influence on Speech.