Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-11-29

strongly summed up the force OF the
evidence that had been offered tor
the United States,
Attorney George Hunker followed
for the United States IN logical and
able argument. He declared that the
defence had established perfect all
bi, that the postmaster had fully iden.
Tilted John Murphy, thar the evidence
of Mr.. Thomas could not for mo.
ment be doubted. and he urged that
the Identification OF the prisoners
claimed by the government had sig
nally failed.
Judge Long made one 0f the most
mastery and convincing addresses he
has ever delivered In the San Miguel
court room. He spoke earnestly and
eloQuently for two and one half hours
this morning In defence of the men
he has championed SO strongly. He
compimented the able and courteous
manner in which the United States
attorneys had handled the case, but
excoriated the special officers who
have been SO active In the case. These
he represented as bounding innocent
men, suppressing evidence favorable
to them. closing their eyes TO what
was right and just In order to Sc
cure the rewards offered.
One Of the most effective parts of
the address was the defence Of MIR.
Heath. chief owner Of the Sunnyside
mine. who had been summoned by the
United States, but who, bee ewing In
the innocence OF the prisoners. had
lab0red earnestly In ThcE defence.
He compared the action OF this gen.
tleman. high in business circles, re-
spectcd. unimpeached. without a stain
on his name, working without remu-
neration for the release Of men whom
he believed to u innocent with
the methods of the swarm Of harpies
who were seeking to win blood money
at the expense OF innocent men. and
declared he would put Heath inside
of the balance against the whole
internal gang and he would weigh
them all down as mountain would
weigh mole hill since truth is
mighty and must prevail. He con-
demned the tactics of insinuating
that Heath was criminal In argument,
when the prosecution had every op-
portunity to impeach the man on the
witness stand, and had taken no ad-
Vantage Of It.
Judge Long contended that the fact
OF Miss Wilson having prepared copy
of her testimony was nothing against
her. He had written to Mr.. Heath to
know If Miss Wilton would make a
good witness for the defence, and had;
asked him to. secure copy scf Whist
she would testify to, and sent 1t to
him. This had been DONE.
Judge Long also referred 70 the DIFF
ference of opinion Of the post-mas-
ter's testimony and said, II the Unit
ed States had not been certain that
he would positively identify Murphy
It would have consented to his going
back on the stand. He said he was
willing to place his word against that
OF the prosecuting attorney that wit
ness had identified Murphy, and he
produced a transcript Of his steno-
grapher's testimony and gave his word
to the jury that 1t was correct IN say
ing as 1t did. that Murphy had been
identified as the man who received
the registered package.
Judge Long took up the testimony OF
each. witness. weighing 1t and argu-
ing as to its value, and produced the
checks and orders which showed the
men had worked in the mine July ~.
and the receipt for the registered
package stamped with the date of
July 80. as mute Witnesses to the
truth of the alibi claimed for the de-
fence.
The Optic regrets is inability to
summarize the closing address OF Ma.
jor Llewelln, which is being delivered
TO crowded court room this AFTER
noon. II will, without question. be
an eloquent AMI complete summary
Of the evidence and an able argu.
ment from the standpoint Of the pros
ecution.