The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-23
.|MELDR|M MISSES
CONTEMPT \ FINE
4 Attorney Quoted Newspaper Re
ferring to Judge Specr's Activ-
ity in Greene-Gaynor Case.
THE JUDGE INTERRUPTED
Colonel Meldrim Assured the
Court That He Meant No
Offcnse.
INV Associated press.)

(By Associated Prcss)
SAVANNAH, GA, Jan. 2-Colonel p.
w. Meldrim. leading counsel for Greene
and Gaynor, narrowly missed in the Fed
sral Court to-day sharing the experience
OF his associate. A. Lawrence. who last
week was fined 31C0 for contempt OF
court.
Judge Emory Spcer construed certain
remarks OF Colonel Mcldrim as out OF
order and In contempt OF court, but ac-
copied the explanation OF counsel and
passed the matter, thus closing an IN
,ensely dramatic scene.
The point was reached In the trial
where the examination OF witnesses be.
gan. Major Gillette took the stand and
had answered few preliminary ques-
lions, when OBJECTION was raised to his
answering the question of Mr.. Erwin
IS to what Carter had said to him In
Washington, bearing upon the conspiracy
that Major Gillette alleged to have dis
severed afterward in Savannah.
After argument the court over-ruled the
objection, Adjournment was taken and
the question will doubtless be answered
by Major Gillette upon the reconyening OF
court tomorrow.
Colonel Meldrin to-day made a state
ment OF the defendants side OF the case.
He said that i, was true that Greene
and Carter were fon terms OF friendship,
as the prosecuting attorney. Mr.. Erwin
had asserted. but that there was nothing
surprising In that, as green, too. had
been an army officer and in the Engineer
Corps. He secuted the idea that Carter
was q dupe, weak tool. pliable clay In
the hands OF Greene.
Colonel Meldrim challenged the govern
ment to prove that Greene and Gaynor
ever loaned Carter cent and that the
only loan was one OF 1890. made in 1856
by Greene. which Carter had repaid with
In q years time in driblets.
How Carter Made Money.
1t was disputed that Carter advertised
for bids on contracts for much shorter pc
RODS than the regulations required, and
said It was the custom of other engineer
officers. The assertions relative 10 the
strict guard kept upon the specifications
was denied and It was declared thatN,ro-
spective bidders had no difficulty IL se-
curing copies. Greene and Gaynor, Colo
mel Meldrlm said, got the contracts be-
cause they were on the ground, knew all
the local conditions regarding labor.
dredges, boats and other essentials TO he
considered and consequently were able
TO make the lowest bids.
OF the contention relative to the large
bank deposits made by Carter, the de-
tense would establish said Colonel Mel
drim, that he had made the money. not
through conspiracy and collision with
Greene and Gaynor, but through In
yestments made n Georgia timber lands
and Florida phosphate lands. with
money received from the late r. L.
Wescott. Carter's father-n-law. He
would challenge the government. he said
TO show that not one dollar of the money
Greene and Gaynor got from the govern
ment ever went TO Carter or to Weacott.
Greene and Gaynor. he said. had. as was
natural. given Wescott an interest In
hteir contract work In Savannah, in
consequence for his influence In secur-
ing for them the contract to raise the
tracks OF the New York Central Railroad
II: New York City and Buffalo.
Close Call for Meldrim.
Colonel Meldrim referred to the efforts
OF tho defendants to evade being brought
back to Judge Speer's Jurisdiction for
trial and proceeded to Indicate an ac-
tivity and interest on the part OF Judge
Speer that gave the defendants ground
for apprehension in trial given them
In this court. Counsel was referring to
language Used by New York newspaper
at the time of the hearing in that city
declaring Greene ard Gaynor should not
return to Savannah for trial, when the
Judge interrupted. directing Colonel Mel
dr!m to be seated and the jury to retire.
He then asked Colonel Meldr!m TO show
cause why he should not DO fined for
conternp Of court.
Colonel MeldriIn replied that he had
Intended no contempt. The stcnosraph-
er,s record was read, and Colonel Mel
drim made an extended explanation. to
which Judge speer responded that the
language OF counsel in his Judgment. was
out OF order. butt in view OF counsel's
disclaimer of any desire to Offend he
would pass the matter over.
The jury was then recalled and Colonel
Meldriln proceeded. This government, he
said he could prove. kidnapped the de-
PENDANTS at Quebec and took them to
Montreal"
Then challenge YOU to prove IT.
said Mr.. Erwin.
The conclusion of Colonel Meldrm's
address brought the trial to the stage OF
presentation Of evidence. The commission
OF Captain Carter was presented as EVIL
dence, and then Major Cassius E. Gil
lett was called to the stand. His exami-
nation had not proceeded far when adj
journment was taken.