The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-27
BRYAN CALLED LIAR IN COURT
DENOI need TO HIS FACE BY MRS.
BENEFITS COUNSEL.
Letter Read From Bryan to Mrs. Bennett
saying That Gold Democratic Innu.
ence Was Trying 10 Keep Him out Of
the sSO.NbO Request From ~Bennett
Bitter Arrangement by Judge sted.
dard-lIryxn Makes Reply to Him.

Bitter ArraiEnment by Judge stsd.
dart-Bryan Makes Reply to Him.
NEW HAVEN, Oct 28-Just before the
arguments were started tonight in the
Probate Court in this city as 10 whether
the vii! of Philo S. Bennett should be pro-
bated, Judge Henry Stoddard, counsel for
Mrs. Bennett, sprang a surprise on W. j.
Bryan, to whom $5O, $50 was left in a sealed
letter, by the introduction Of a letter in
which Mr.. Bryan limited that her lawyer
in his attack on the will was merely doing
the bidding of the Gold Democrats. The
letter was as follows;
CHICAGO. H.. Oct; u. 1903,
have more than an hour between the arrival
of the New York train and the departure Of
the Nebraska train, and ! Shall employ
moment IN writing to you.
I have not YET recovered from my surprAs
at the course taken by your counsel. your
nice" and Yourself in regard TO the money
left you in trust. From the conduct OF your
attorney am satisfied that being one Of the
Gold Democrats who left US in 1898 and not
at all in sympathy with the political views
OF your husband and myself, he is willing to
defeat Mr.. Bennett purpose, II IL can be done.
no matter how plainly that purpose Is set
forth.
Your nieces disappointment at Mr. BEN
nett's failure TO specifically remember his
namesake. together with the fact that your
niece and her mother received less than MAS
expected. seems To have influenced that branch
oil the iainily to attempt to defeat the plain
and long standing plan Of the testator. Dis
appointment, can MISC account FOR the hall
as my proposed arrangement gives you
practically as much as you could secure by
attacking the $4,000 provision q voluntarily
long as you needed II and did notl, and by
defeating the will YOU would only get abso-
iutely $4,000, less attorneys fees and in
As / say. Won could profit but little ham
satisfied thAt your acton + dne To- the Per- Per-
vi@ws of Mr. Emmett and myself and 10 the
persuasion of the relatives whose disap-
pointmsnt has made them indifferent TO the
the relatives and Judge Stoddard to defeat
Mr.. Bennett purpose has led me to recon-
wish yon would. therefore. delay action
until further notice. l want to consider the
matter further. ! may decide to serve until
of Mr.. Benefits connected with the ad-
ministration of the estate II retire In
Of ops n Viz 6" bs V, Views we ons
purposes. or Mr. Sloan, who was designated
BY him and who was his intimate associate.
wishes accept the sum intended for me per-
r TeIatiVss all ali th"t he thought he ought
i
purpose, il / can help It. and i am not willing
Who VII VIII 80 into ocs pledged to Try to defeat
what shall % IN regard to the e.: sses Gu
yon at once. as had told You that would
not serve at all, l enclose g notice that YOU
can give to Judge Stoddard.. You can use
any any one or keeping it as confidential. Please
write me as soon rs you see the sealed letter.
as that may possibly clear up the matter
Wishing You health, l am. yours truly.
W. J. BRYAN.
The letter was read by Judge Stoddard,
and when he finished it he turned savagely
to Mr.. Bryan who sat across the table,
and asked:
-Mr. Bryan, what conduct Of Mrs Ben
nett's attorney do you refer to in this let
ter"
"The first time talked with you / was
convinced there was more politics in it
than law" replied Mr.. Bryan.
Then he hesitated.
Make your answer full and complete"
shouted Judge Stoddard, who was very
much worked up.
THAT covers the ground" rejoined Mr..
Bryan.
"Mr Bryan, was there any other excuse
or j iRtifration for writing such lettef?'
roaied the attorney.
That was sufficient" retaliated Mr..
Bryan.
Mr. BRYAN was very cool, while Judge
Stoddard was angry that his integrity as
an attorney should be assailed. He is
one of the most eminent members Of the
Connecticut bar and was for several years
han, hnr
signed.
Judge Livingston W Clcaycland, who
presides over the Probate Court In this
district, in anticipation Of a big crowd,
moved from his little hole in the wall Of a
court room in the City Hall to the County
Court room Ia the next building. Even
that spacious PCT was crowded b" the
doors. There wire many Yale students
and women in the throng. Mrs. Bennett
was still absent from town.
report had been sent out that Mrs.
Bryan would be called on to testify at
to-nights session Of the court She was
not any nearer the court room than Lin
coin, Neb.
Judge Stoddord called Mr. Bryan's at
tention to copy Of the sealed letter in
WHICH Ml b'Hiltlt fit ur prov nioh w
d trust of $50 900 for Mr.. Bryan,
There il an interlineation in writing In
that typewriter copy, Mr.. Bryan, Do
you know how that came there?" asked
Judge Stoddard
THAT is my writing. replied Mr.. Bryan.
when did you write in those words'"
AT tie time the paper WIS drawn up
Mr. Bryan made statement to the Court
explaining why lie had agreed with Mrs.
Bennett that part Of the SIS 900 which was
to 20 to him out Of the $50 900, the balance
to be divided between his wife and three
should be given to relatives Of
the Bennett fanny.
Il told Mrs B,nnett said Mr.. Bryan,
that should pay the Inheritance tax out
of my portion Of tllc $50, 900 and that would
give 81 900 to her niece for her education
and 81 600 to Nh Benefits brother. |
knew that this brother became connected
with the Bennett 4 Sloan Company In New
York after the will had been made. and had
not been provided for IN the will, and |
thought there should be something for
him
Then I told Mrs Bennett that | would
give $500 10 the Rry. Mr. Irvine, minister
IN whom Mr. Bennett was very much
Interested ] told her that the balance
] would invest IN per cent. Government