Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-27
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington. Feb. 81.


August w. Machen, former superin-
tendent of free delivery in the PostOfbce
department; DR.. George E. Lorenz, OF
Toledo, o.; Diller B. and Samuel A.
Croft. convicted yesterday of conspiracy
10 defraud the United States, commenced
today their fight to defeat imprisonment
and punishment under the jury's verdict.
Charles A. Douglass, chief counsel for
the defendants, made formal motions to
Justice Pritchard for a new trial Oh the
ground that the verdict was contrary to
the law and facts adduced in the trial,
and for an arrest of judgment Justice
Pritchard Overrued both motions, except
that the right of Samuel A. Croft to
move later for a new trial was reserved.
This was because of the fact that Holmes
Conrad, special counsel for the govern
ment. in his closing argument urged the
iury that he was convinced there was in
sufficient evidence to convict the In
ventor. in spite of which the jury
included him In its sweeping verdict.
Following the Overruling of the motions
the court asked tor suggestions from
counsel as to the punishment to behxed.
Assistant District Attorneys Taggart
and Keigwin argued that inasmuch as
the Indictment included twelve separate
counts of conspiracy, the maximum SEN
tence of two years imprisonment and
tine of from $1,000 to so, 900 be
awarded each of the four defendants
on each count. A long argument fol-
lowed, Mr.. Douglass citing cases to
show that the conspiracy alleged was
a continuous act, capable of being con-
sdered only as one offence. In case
thegOvernment's contention is supported,
the prisoners may be sent to the peniten
tiary for twenty -four years. Following the
sentence, notice of appeal will be given,
and the defendants will give bail pend
ing its determination. Douglass and his
associate counsel have expressed their
intention of taking the case to the
Supreme Court before acknowledging
defeat. Machen, Lorenz and Diller b.
Croft were each sentenced to two years
imprisonment in the penitentiary at
Moundsville, West Virginia, and to pay
a fine of $40, 900. Their sentences are
u date from the time of their arrival in
the penitentiary. Justice Pritchard said
that he would consider the II counts in
each indictment as the continuing acts
Of a single ofense and therefore held
that the single sentence of two years
was the maximum penalty he could i'm
pose. The defendants will be allowed
to remain at liberty under the bail they
furnished yesterday pending the decision
on their application for new trials.
In efforts to secure an early adjour-
meDt of Congress so that there may be
plenty of time to prepare for the nation
al conventions and campaigns, both SEN
ate and House are pushing forward
the necessary work of the session as
rapidly as possible. Practically all of
next week in both houses will be devoted
to the consideration of appropriation
bills. In the Senate on Monday the
bill will be taken up which proposes an
appropriation of about 81, 900, 900 for
the erection Of new department build
ing in this city to accommodate the de-
partments of State, Justice and Com
merce. 1t is proposed to put this build
ing near the White House on the square
directly opposite the War Department.
The naval and army appropriation bills
will be taken up during the week. The !
examination of witnesses in the inyesti-
CATION of Reed Shoots right to a seat
in the Senate from Utah is arranged to
begin next Tuesday before the commit
tee on privileges and elections. The |
House next week will be held down |
,trickly to business connected with the
passage of appropriation bills. The i'm
portant committee hearing of the week
will be before the judiciary committee
On the Hepburn-DolIiver bill, making |
liquor in original packages subject to the
avs of the State into which it is i'm
ported.
Colorado can literally be called |
bleeding Colorado owing to what has
aiken place there in the last ten years, "
'aid J. c. Craig, president of the Citi-
,ens' Alliance of Denver, in an address
before the House judiciary
in opposition to the con-
,piracy bill. Mr.. Craig recounted the
various clashes between the unions and
he mine operators. Union men, he
,aid, had rolled kegs of dynamite into
shaft houses where men were working i
,ords we're extended from elevators TO