Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-05
Courts Action in the Case Of
Samuel A. Croft.
AN APPEAL NOTED
ATTORNEY MADDOX INTIMATEs
SUSPICION AGAINST THE JURY.
Alleges That Marvellous Things,
Without Precedent" Happened
During the Recent Trial.


famous Croft letter box fastener, and a
member of the metropolitan police force
of the District of Columbia. jointly con-
victed with his brother, Diller B. Gron;
August W. Machen and George F.. Lorenz
of conspiracy to defraud the United States
in connection with the Post Office De-
partment frauds, was today sentenced by
Justice Pritchard, in Criminal Court No. l,
to penitentiary imprisonment for two years
and to pay fine of $4,000 The punish
ment is similar to that heretofore Inn
posed upon each of the other defendants
mentioned. An appeal to the Court of
Appeals was noted, and Croft was released
on ball. Samuel H. Walker qualifying as
surety in the sum of $4,000. Diller B.
Croft was the only one of the other de-
PENDANTS in court today.
Prior to the imposition of sentence At
torney Samuel Maddox took occasion to de-
clare that marvellous things. absolutely
without precedent in the law books. had
happened during the trial. Counsel also
paid his respects to the jury. intimating
that 1t had been composed of extraordinary
men by saying that reasonable doubt
would surely have been raised in the minds
of any twelve ordinary men regarding the
guilt of Samuel A. Croft by the statement
of Attorney Holmes Conrad to the effect
that Samuel A. Croft should not be con-
victed.
But Attorney Maddox charged, rather
spiritedly, those jurors were hungry for
blood"
The Opening Proceedings.
Immediately after court met this morning
Attorney Maddox remarked to Justice
Pritchard that the motions for a new trial
and in arrest of judgment were of grave
Importance to Samuel A. Croft, and that
there should be continuance of the hear
ing in order that counsel might have an ops
portunity to look through the record of the
trial and be in position to present to the
court facts to demonstrate that 8. A. Gron
had not been shown to have been connected
with the conspiracy. The practice here has
been. counsel stated, to allow fifteen days
after the filing of motion before arguing
the same.
The speaker had agreed with the United
States attorney that the motions should
not be argued until the lapse Of ten days
1t was suggested to the court that the ar
rangemen be permitted to prevail. Mr.. Mad
dox further said that he had not prepared
himself for the arguments, and that other
counsel who were interested had gone
away from the city. He concluded:
Il cannot see that the ends of justice
will be interfered with by granting con-
tinuance."
Il do not think that you state sufficient
cause for a continuance" Justice Pritch-
ard announced.
Mr.. Maddox persisted in his endeavor to
have the matter go over. He pointed out
that since the close of the trial. which was
in progress for many weeks. he had not
been able to catch UP with his other legal
business.
Alleged Errors Of Law.
GAS to alleged errors of law" the court
remarked. "they were all brought out at
the trial. I passed on them. and 1 do not
propose to reverse myself now"
Counsel said he attached especial impor-
lance to his prayer as to the consideration
the jury should give to the testimony of
detectives. lFF~
Il refused that prayer. and also covered
the matter in my charge to the Jury JUS
tice Pritchard observed.
Next MIR. Maddox repeated that he had
not had time to examine the record in Or
der to properly prepare for the argument.
He had no desire to delay the administra-
ton OF justice, he added, and would GER
tainly have prepared for the argument IL
he had not believed that his ARRANGEMENT
with the United States attorney in refer
ence to the time of the hearing would pre-
vail.
II will be glad to hear what you have to
say in support of your motions" Justice
Pritchard said. paying no attention to the
reasons for a continuance advanced by
counsel.
'In other words. no continuance will be
granted?" Mr.. Maddox inquired.
mo, sir" the court replied decisively
I'm view Of your honors remarks from
the bench yesterday Mr.. Maddox, after
pause. said, that Samuel A Groff is as
guilty as the other defendants, I will not
try to remove that impression, but will
say only few words in behalf of a mitiga-
ton of the sentence. SO far as he is con-
cerned''
II shall be very glad to hear you," counsel
was assured by the court.
After reiterating his contention that the
evidence did not connect s. A. Croft with
the conspiracy Mr.. Maddox declared:
Refers to Jurors by Name.
Marvellous things, absolutely without
precedent in the law books. happened during
this trial. Major Conrad's final address to
the jury did more to convict the defendants
than did the evidence. His speech would
have raised reasonable doubt in the minds
OF twelve ordinary men as to the guilt of
Sam Croft but those jurors were hungry for
blood. One of them, Carl Petersen-'
Il object Assistant United States At
torney Taggart interposed. He claimed
that reference to the jurors was improper
Mr.. Maddox pointed out that he was not
arguing the motions for a new trial and In
arrest of judgment, but was speaking for
mitigation of sentence. He continued:
Petersen and Berryman, two of the
jurors, stated in the public press that the
reason they convicted Sam Croft was be-
cause he signed that mutilated letter. That
proves that the jurors did not understand
the evidence, Tor sam GfoH dld not sign
that letter"
Counsel reviewed S. A. Groff's career in
the army and as policeman. Had 1t not
been for his arrest it was stated, he
would now be on the retired list, drawing
a pension. In view of his conviction, how
ever, according to the speaker, he will
lose his position and be deprived Of the
pension that he has earned.
The verdict of the jury, said counsel,
makes Machen a dishonest official and
the chief conspirator. He added:
although /, of course, do not agree
with that. for 1 consider Mr.. Machen an
admirable official, it should be taken into
consideration by the court and the same
punishment ought not to be visited on
Samuel A. Croft as on Machen and the
others.
The Government Attorney Replies.
The assistant United States attorney
arose to reply. There is very little to be
said on behalf of the government" he re-
marked. IS A. Croft was as fully aware
as was Diller B. Croft Of the arrangement
made with Lorenz.
''The Groffs and Lorenz stand upon the
same footing and there does not appear to
be any reason why a punishment different
from that of the others should be imposed
on 8. A. Croft. much more severe sem