The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-23
HECHLER TRIAL
MAY END 4 TO-DAY
All Proceedings Yesterday
Devoted to Examination
Of Many Witnesses.
WITNESSES SEEM
LOYAL TOACCUSED
Attorney Harry Smith Complains
That It Is Difficult to Get
Anything from Then-All
Testify That Their
Votes Were I'm
influenced.

No sensation developed. though every
point was determinedly contested by
counsel for either side. Numerous ex-
ceptions were noted by counsel for de-
1cnse. From law point ofvlew the bat
tie is one OF the prettiest legal fights
ever witnessed In the Henrico court.
Brilliant arguments on this point and
that followed each other in rapid sue
cession and counsel for either side res
sorted TO every argument known to
logic In the carrying OF their points.
Judging from the line of testimony
given yesterday, the day seemed rather
to 20 in favor OF DIr. Hechler. since the
evidence did not seem to tend to con
meet him directly with the prepaying
OF poll taxes. the majority OF the Wit
nesses testifying that their taxes were
paid, SO far as they knew. without the
intervention or knowledge OF the de-
fendanG
Henry. c. Hechler was put through
his second days trial yesterday on the
charge OF fraudulenily prepay,ng poit
taxes for the influence OF voters IN the
Democratic primary recently heid IN
Henrico county. court convenins
promptly at 10 o'clock. and adlournihs
at twelve minutes past O'Clock.
The day was given up wholly TO the
examination OF witnesses. all OF whom
are likely to be called again by the
Commonwealth In rebuttat 1t is ex-
pected, however, that tire trial Will be
concluded to-day. for Judge Harrison
said from the brnch that the trial would
have to be finished to-day, even at the
expense of night sessions. for Gentry s
case is set for Tomorrow.
course OF the day. though every point
was determinedly contested by counsel!
for either side. Numerous exceptions
were noted BY counsel for defense.
From law point ofSvlew, the battle
is one Of the pretttest legal fights ever
witnessed In the Eenrico court. Bril-
liant arguments on this point and that
succeed each other In rapid succession.
and counsel for either side revert to
every argument known to logic in the
carrying OF their points. Judging from
the line OF testimony given yesterday.
the day seemed rather to, go In favor
OF Mr.. Hechler. since the evidence did
not seem to tend TO connect him di-
rectly with the preparing OF poll taxes.
the majority OF the witnesses testifying
that their taxes were paid. so far as
they knew, without the intervention
or knowledge OF the defendant.
Witncsscs Unwilling.
All the witnesses. however. seemed
to be pro-Hechlerites, and In an argu-
ment as to whether Mr. Smith could
properly refer to what We're apparently
notes on the evidence given before the
grand jury and predicate statements
from them and put them into the
mouths OF witnesses. the prosecuting
attorney complained that the witnesses
were so loyal that 1t was with the
greatest difficulty he could get them to
say anything at all. Mr.. Fulton arr
gued that Mr.. Smiths line OF question:
ing was an attempt to prove to the
jury that the witnesses were lying, and
ridiculous and stultitied. Mr.. Smith
replied by saying that he had not u
doubt OF the truthfulness OF the wit
nesses, but that he would complain OF
their apparent unwtllingness to say
anything that might be construed as
derogatory to the defendant His con-
tention was upheld by the court.
fairly large crowd was In attend
nnce on the proceedings, among them
being several clergy. DR.. r. II. Pitt be-
ing among the number. Mr.. Wenden-
burg was present. and was in frequent
consultation with Mr.. Smith, apparently
giving him pointers in the case
The case was opened by Attorney
Smith. who attempted 10 prove what he
termed criminal conspiracy between
Flechler and Gentry in their effort to
Z
for Iiechler for treasurer. 1t was al
legged that when Mr.. Clarke approached
Mr.. Hechler with the alleged purpose OF
having his poll taxes paid, the latter
said to Clarke: mo, L can't pay your
poll taxes myself. but I refer you to
Newton L. Gentry. and Mr.. Gentry will
attend TO your tax Attorney Fulton,
Of the defense. objected to this line OF,
argument, and the court sustained the
objection.
p. w. Redford was the first witness
placed on the stand. He was Informed
that he had been charged with tho pre- !.
payment OF taxes for three voters.
which lie admitted, but denied that Mr.,
Hechler had been interested in the
transaction
j. 3. Atkins was put on the stand
next. He said Mr.. Gentry came bv lis
store one day and asked him to pay
some taxes for him, which he agreed
to do. On cross-exnmination he said.
he never paid them with the knowledge.
and colAient Of Mr., Hechler. "Mr.
ttechler never asked me to do 1T and.
never knew anything. about It," he
said. 81 @ S9tf
Mr.; ogannon was then put on the
stand. He testified that j, 3, Atkins
paid the taxes of another man whose
name was entered erroneously In the
DOCKS. and that when the mistake was
dlscoved the tax money was refunded
to Mr.. Hechler.
Told Him to See Gentry,
W. y. Montgomery. the next sworn,
said; u saw Mr.. Hechler one day and
asked him II he would attend to my
taxeA, as I had to 40 to Jamestown
and would not be back In tne. went
to see him nfterwards to see ifs3 the
matter had been aightened out, and
! he sen mo over to see Mr.. Gentry,
from whom I got my tax receipts.f
Witness said he gave due bill for
the receipts, hut that he was never
asked for money, On cross eXnn,ina- q
tioQ, he stated that he was not asked
for his vote, and that Ills vote was not
Influenced by either. II echler or Gentry
w, W. Curry, the next witness, said.