Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-17
BEFORE U. S. JUDGE GOFF
Charged With Violating Section 1882
of the Revised Statutes.
ARRAY OF LEGAL TALENT
Promises to Be One of the Strongest
Court Contests Ever Held
In the State.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star
GREENSBORO, N. c., April 1.-THE trial
or +. Spencer Blackburn. representative of
the eighth North Carolina district. came up
for hearing in the federal court at 10 o'clock
this morning. Blackburn is specifically
charged with violating section 1882 of the
Revised Statutes of the United States in
practicing and receiving fees therefor before
the government department at Washington.
United States Circuit Judge Nathan Goff
OF West Virginia presides at the hearing.
Judge l.. l.. Lewis. district attorney for
the eastern district of Virginia, assisted by
j. j. Britt, assistant to United States Dis
trict Attorney A. E. Holton. represent the
government
Representative Blackburn's interests will
be looked after by former Judge w P By
mum, Jr., h. j. Justice, A l.. Brooks q.
Sam Bradshaw and Frank Lowell.
The trial promises to be one of the most
notable that have been heard in North Car
oIiEa, not only on account of the high off,
cfal character of the defendant but by
reason OF the prominence of the attorneys
ON the respective sides All of the defend
ant lawyers are men who have gained dis
junction at the bar and a reputation that
is not only local but extends throughout
the state and south
With such an array of learned counsel
the trial promises to be battle of legal
giants.
Representative Blackburn has been in
Greensboro for several days past confer
ring with his lawyers. while the govern
ment attorneys have been diligent in max
ing preparations for a vigorous proseCu-
ton.
Trial Outcome of Probe
The present trial is the outcome of an
investigation instituted last December by
the Department of Justice at Washington
in connection with certain charges that
had been filed against the congressman.
This inquiry was followed by an indict-
ment of Blackburn at the term OF the
AshevilIe court, February y last He
was indicted on three charges. covering
three separate and distinct transactions.
as follows
First-Taking 800 from T. A. Davis to
secure the settlement of a case with the
commissioner of internal revenue at Wash
ingfon, in connection with forty barrels
of unstanped whisky seized in December,
1904 near Winston.
Second. Charges were preferred that
Representative Blackburn accepted 5000 as
compensation for appearing before the
commissioner of internal revenue to secure
the release of a distlling plant. containing
$50 barrels of whisky, seized by the gov
eminent officers as the property of h. DIN
kins of Williams. N. c., and, third, taking
$50 as a fee from w. r. Krider of Sails
bury in connection with the seizure of some
empty stamped whisky barrels
Section 1882, Revised Statutes, under
which the indictment was drawn. is sub
stantiaily as follows:
No senator, representative or delegate
In Congress, after his election and during
his continuance in office, shall receive or
agree to receive, either directly or Indirect
ly for any services rendered or to be rem
dered, to any person whatsoever, in any
claim, controversy or proceeding pending
before any of the departments in which
the United States is interested directly or
indirectly"