The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-02
WARREN
FACTIONS
IN COURT

Probably never IN a civil case tried at
the county court house have the intri-
cacies OF life in a small town been so
carefully considered as In the case OF
Lawrence T. Smith against Chief OF
Police Macomber OF Warren, which has
been on trial before Presiding Justice
Sweetland and jury in the superior
court the past few days, That there is
considerable feeling in Warren over the
case was very evident from testimony
given in court today.
Mr.. Smith Is suing 10 recover damages
for false Imprisonment. Last July he was
detained six hours in the police station
by the chief OF police As soon as Smith
was released. he claims. he was assaulted
by party and was 'wrongfully fined for
assault himself
The chief iCstihes the charge OF detain-
ing Smith on the ground that the latter
was not OF sound mind Miss Edith Cleve-
land, niece OF the chief, told on the wit.
ness stand yesterday afternoon OF un-
welcome attentions paid her by Smith.
O. l.. Bosworth was the Judge who fined
Smith. Mr. Bosworth is now defending
Macomber. The witnesses today showed
that Smith. who Is n good locking young
Hihlli WAS Well-llked DN a majority or MS
fellow townsmen, but that there was a
small minority who found fault with his
style.
Todays hearing was made particularly
enjoyable by Newton r. Thurbcr who
was very dramatic and who initiated
Judge Bosworths style I'm a manner that
made II difficult 10 preserve order I'm the
court room. Mr.. Thurber defined his fell
low tOwnsmen and townswomen as made
up Of two calsses. a sensible majority and
n peanut class. He told OF his going 20
the town hall the day Smith was tried
for assault and being met by the janitor,
George cole. who desired TO know what
brought him there. Thurber declared his
reply was that the paper said there was
going 20 he big array OF counsel and
he liked to hear them argue. Witness
claims he was informed that was all fixed
up that Smith was 10 be got rid of, as
was dangerous man 10 have about. The
description OF the trial then followed
Judge Bosworth being told: "You re-
fused this mans request for an oppor-
tunity 10 have his own counsel: Mr.
o'Donnell, counsel for the prosecution de-
clared there had been very large expenses
incurred, which / found amounted to 1921.
Hou said to Smith, You have no counsel
and no evidence and must fine you $50
pnd costs "
\ ON cross-examination witness said he
correct.
Asked about Janitor Cole. witness said:
We'll, ne is a good fellow, but likes 10
have the office and wants to keep the
salary" Witness said there was con-
spiracy 10 drive Smith out OF town ana
he offered 20 go bail for him II he took an
appeal lie had formed the opinion that
Smith was a decent. honest man, in fact
gentleman and a scholar. and so the
majority OF the people of Warren thought
Miss Annie G. Johnson said she knew
Smiths reputation 20 be good She had
been asked to tell a different story in
court.
Ezra u. Easterbrooks. who for many
years was on the police force in Warren
and now works for the Consolidated said
Smiths reputation was excellent
James ID. Simmons said. like Mr.
Thurber. that there were two classes in
Warren. The best class believed in
Smith. Witness had much confidence in
Smiths business ability. He admitted
having heard that Smith was too gener-
Gus In the courtesies shown ladies and
heard II said by tho people OF St. Marks
church that this was no excuse for folks
refusing TO attend the church.
Witness had heard that MIR. Smith sent
letters and flowers to ladies In Warren
When he heard that this was the height
OF Smiths offending witness asked If the
flowers or gifts were returned and
thought II offence was taken the flowers
and gifts would be returned.
Mr.. Bosworth tried TO break up a wit
ness by asking IL the witness did not
appear In court simply because he. Bos-
worth. was counsel. Witness denied that
was the reason, hut admitted that today
was the first time he had spoken to Judge
Bosworth I'm five or six years. This wit
moss Is "A relative bV marriage OF Chief
Macomber.
Thomas NJ Cooney is counsel for Mr..
Smith.