Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-11

the clerk Of the court. Following this task
a telegram from Perry Heath was handed
Justice Pritchard. 1t read:
II will reach Washington at o'clock to-
day"
District Attorney Beach asked the court
as to what time the regular panel OF jury
men should be excused, suggesting the nrst
Tuesday in February.
Il think we shall have occasion to use
them before that time said Justice Pritch-
lrd. The jurymen may be excused until
] next Monday
This gave the impression to the witnesses
and others who had seats in the court room
that Justict Prltchard expects the trial OF
the defendants in the post office case to be
completed earlier than what might be gen.
orally thought.
Getting a Jury.
Twenty-six talesmen were called before
court adjourned, shortly after IL o'clock.
The court invariably asked each juryman
| this question:
Have you formed or expressed an opin-
ion regarding the guilt or innocence of the
defendants? Are you related to any OF
them?"
Mr. Taggart. representing the govern
| ment. asked this question:
Are you acquainted with the defendants
or have you had any dealings with Them?
Then one of the counsel for the defense
came at the talesman with this interroga-
ton:
<ATc you LII Tic SoNSTHuCbt SSttiSC VI
have you any contracts or dealings with
the government"
1t was the same old process of trying to
| get jury, only it went along little faster
under Justice Pritchard's supervision.
The first talesman called was George
| Truesdell, who was formerly Commission
| or of the District of Columbia.
| II have not expressed an opinion and 1
| do not know that have formed one" he
| said to the court. II have read the news
papers and have an Impression. but it is
| hardly positive opinion. 1t would require
| evidence to remove It,"
The defense challenged Truesdell for
| cause and the challenge was sustained by
| the court.
A. w. Chaplin had formed an opinion and
was not considered available for a jury
| man. The government excused Charles H.
Bateman. The defense excused I. e. Shoe
maker.
Charles E. Garrett was next called, but
the government. did not care to have him
| remain. Royal Robinson was excused by
the defense Moses Cohen was excused by
the government, Jacob Poston by the de-
tense.
Hes a marble worker said Attorney
Syme. "he makes tombstones."
You'd better engage his services" one
of the counsel for the government replied.
| in fun and in q voice that was heard only
by the newspaper men who sat near.
I'VE think the government has more need
Of him." said Attorney Charles A. Doug
| lass, and the little colloquy brought forth
a burst of laughter from those who heard
1t.
The work Of trying to get jury went on
merrily.
James Garvey was excused by the gov
eminent; Charles P. Muir by the defense.
John A. Prescott said he had known Diller
B. Croft for fifteen years, and was permit
ted by the government TO retire without
further questioning.
John Amberger was retired by the de-
tense. The government objected to Clinton
C.. Burke. Frank d. Hopkins was excused
| by the defense. was August Demonet by
| the government.
When court adjourned the government
had exhausted seven of the ten challenges
given to 1t under the code of the District Of
Columbia and the ruling of Justice Pritch-
ard, and the defense had exhausted six of
| its ten challenges.
The court ordered sixty talesmen sum-
moned at once to report at 10 o'clock to-
morrow morning.