The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-02
DR.. AMES MUST
COME TO TRIAL
Motion to Quash Indictments Denied
-Demurrers Are Entered
Il ,..:> and Overruled.
Attack on Constitutionality of the
Grand Jury Law Proves
Futile.
The First Case to Be Moved Will
Involve Auction Joint
-. Bribery.

Judge c. B. Elliott this morning denied
the mott ion to quash the indictments
against former Mayor A. A. Ames. De-
murrerS to seven indictments were then
entered by the defense, argued by counsel
and overruled by the court. plea of not
guilty was thereupon entered to each
case and all were continued until the
opening of the new term next week.
The motion to quash the indictments
was made upon the ground that the law
under which Hennepin county grand
juries are drawn is unconstitutional.
Counsel for the defense admitted that
they did not expect their contention to
prevail In this court, but stated that they
merely argued their motion to save the
point which might be needed later in the
supreme court in the case of an appeal.
DR.. AmeS was present in court during
the arguments. He assumed the role of
an ordinary spectator and betrayed no un-
usual interest in the proceedings. He
has the appearance Of being in much bet
ter health than when he was first brought
back to this city two weeks ago.
=, Mr.. Nye's Argument.
Frank Nye presented the arguments in
favor of the defendants motion to quash
the indictments. He stated in. opening
that he did not intend to enter an ex-
haustive argument, but simply wished to
present a few points and authorities to
prove that the grand jury law relating to
Hennepin county is contrary to the con-
stitution. He branded the law as special
legislation, and said: Il can see no reason
why the population Of a county should fur
nish any basis or reason for making the
manner Of drawing a grand jury different
in different countess
Assistant County Attorney Jelley was
prepared to present his authorities but
Judge Elliott saved him that trouble by
stating that he had considered the queS-
of1111x satisfied tina +
the law was constitutional and that he
would not disturb it.
Seven Demurrers Entered.'
Henry s. Mead then announced that he
wished to enter demurrers to seven of the
indictments. The indictments demurred
to were:
First-Charglng receiving a bribe from
Gladys Barr.
Second-Charging receiving bribe of
$500 from Gladys Barr, Sadie Bird, ct al.
Third-Charging conspiracy. 49,,
Notwithstanding extortion.
F'ifth-Charging receiving bribe from
David Ravitch.
-,. xth-Charging receiving bribe from
Joseph Reese. ... -
Seventh-Charging receiving a. bribe
from B. D. Crandall.
The grounds upon which the demurrers
are based are practically the same in al
of the cases and are as follows:
First-That the indictments do not sub
stantially conform to the requirement:
Of the statutes.
Second-That each indictment charge
more than one offense.
Third-That the indictments do no
state facts sufficient to constitute a pub
lie offense.
Demurers OverrruIed.
Mr.. Mead submitted the demurrers t.
indictments charging extortion and con
spiracy without argument but spoke a
considerable length upon the alleged de
fects in the bills which charge the receiv
ing of bribes. His strongest contentio
was along the line Of the second conten
tion, viz. that each indictment charge
more than one offense. Mr.. Jelley pre-
sented arguments to sustain the state
view with the result that Judge Elliot
ruled Immediately upon the counsers con
clusion that the indictments were all goo
and that they would all have to stand.
Auction Case First.
When asked by Mr.. Nye as to which
the indictments would be moved for tris
first, MIR. Jelley stated that he could nc
state definitely further than that 1t wou]
be one of the three charging the receivin
Of bribes from Joseph Reese, David Ra
a. witch and 3. D. Crandall, respectively