St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-02-03


senator after long struggle by major
ity of one vote. while recently he has
been reelected by majority of 90 votes.
While absent he said that there were a
good many democratic lies put in news
papers that he was candidate for the pres
idency, but that he had written hundreds
of letters denying it, but they still kept
repeating the story and he now paid no
attention to it. He has been very i'll
with the grip since his return but is now
recovering.
The exhaustive report of the needs and
resources of Alaska prepared by Senator
Dillingham; is remarkably interesting. for
it is still comparatively an unknown
territory. The visit of the committee of
senator's, who examined carefully the
condition of the people. brings out an
important statemene of facts as they
now exist IN that section and will rouse
the country to legislate for its relief and
to correct many abuses now existing
there. Many valuable facts and state
ments are crvstallized in the document.
in bill so as to amend the act to pre-
vent the extinction of the fur-bear1ng
animals in Alaska.
1t is currently rumored that Russia and
Japan will come to peaceful agreement.
The burning of the Luther Memorial
church in this city during the reception
to it's pastor, DIR. J. @. Butler, on the &C.
casion OF his 70 tn birthday, was shock
to his parishionerS. 1t was built as
memorial of Gods mercy in freeing the
land from slavery at the close of the civil
war. 1t had many historical memorial
windows. 1t was partly insured.
The house committee has granted an
increase in the salarirs of foreign consuls;
SO 900 for the minister to Panama and
$4,000 for his secretary.
The members of the house of represen-
tatives voted themselves $145, 900 to
paw double mileage for the extra session
of congress and when that item was
reached in the discussion deficiency bill,
Mr.. Maddox of Georgia raised point OF
order against it and he was supported
by Representative Littlefield of Maine,
claiming it was not authorized by law.
There was not recess and only one
mileage was legal. Many are against it
in the house it is said and it may bring
out some interesting points.
Public interest deepens in the investi-
CATION of the Post office department, as
the trial for conspiracy Of the parties
concerned is going on in connection with
the Croft letter-box fastener. Criminal
Court No. /, in the old court house,
where it is being held, is large historic
hall, where several noted trials have
taken plack; that Of Guiteau, the noted
Breckenrid ge-Pollard case and that Of
the famous Star route. Nearly two
thirds of the room was barred OFT to be
occupied by those connected with the
trial There are ten lawyers engaged in
the investigation. Holmes Conrad, who
was to conduct the prosecution tor the
government has been absent part OF the
time on account of illness; he has asso-
ciated with him Messrs. Taggart, Purdy,
Beach, and Keigwin. Charles A. Doug
lass represents A. w. Machen, the former
Superintendent of Free Delivery service,
Mr.. Samuel Maddox takes care of the
Croft brothers interest and Judge E.
Kumler, of Toledo, Ohio, that Of the
Lorenzs. The lawyers were seated be-
fore a long table in front of the Judge
and on the right hand side behind their
counsel were the five persons indicted.
The 16 chairs for reporters OF the press
are usually we'll filled and many. promi
nent lawyers and law students are fol-
MRS. Lorenz, of Toledo, Ohio, is accom-
panied by lady friends and she is very
attentive listener. Judge Pritchard, who
presides, is one of the five associate
Judges of the Supreme Court of the dis
trict Chief Justice Bingham, who vol
unfairly retired, was a native of YER
mont and was succeeded by Justice
Ciabaugh, May 1. The justices are all
comparatively young men, appointed
81 T,.I<
Pritchard is native of Tennessee, but he
has served in the United States Senate
from North Carolina and received his
appointment from President Roosevelt.
The trial opened Jan. 1 1 and is considered
one of the greatest tech nical trials ever
held here. Perfect order is kept in the
room by the seven deputy marshals sta
toned at the doors and in the room.
From the code of the district the judge
decided that the five defendants should
be treated as one person and only entitled
to ten challenges in the selection of the
Jury. It is said there are SO witne sses
for the United States government. 1t is
impossible to only give little account
of the trial and persons. District Attor-
ney Beach made a short address before
the Jury of the case. He ftlc it an url-
pleasant task to indict trusted officials,
charged with dishonesty. August w.
Machen came to this city about 10
years since. He had been in the post
office department in Ohio with George E.
Lorenz, as a friend and associate.
Machen was at first superintendent OF
free delivery and later became the super
intendent of rural free delivery service of
that department. In 1898 he became
interested in the Croft letter box device
and they affirm that in II cases be
secured action for the purchase of those
fasteners. The latter were made after
patented for IS cents and sold to the
government for $1.OO and $1.25. Mr..
Machen was an officer of the govern
ment. Croft. who invented the patent,
sold to the government and the LoreDz's
were called the "go-betweens." The
money over and above 2o cents was
divided equally between Machen and the
Croft brothers. 1t is claimed Machen
could have purchased for rs cents in
stead of paving $1.25. Out in Toledo