The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-25

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ore went into the treasurer,s Office tc
pay current taxes The other was in the
clerks Office paying delinquent taxes
reading from notes the dotes on which
witnesses had testified the payments
had been made. Ee said the Common
weeith's case had been proved by un-
willing witnesses. whom he severely
scored for having. as he charged.
changed their testimony before the
petit jury from that given before
the grand Juries. AZ to transaction
in which Hechler gave Gentry check
for fifty dollars. Mr.. Smith stated
that the easiest way to have proved 1t
to be innocent would have been to put
Gentry on the stand, and he rather
scornfuily arraiEned Gentry for not
clearing his father-in-law OF this
charge at the most crucial time OF his
trial. He took occasion to say lie be-
lieyer Hechler TO be an honest man
his fault had been his over-zealous-
ness in seeking Sindicat!on by cleo
Must Not BE Partisan.
He told the jury they were present
not as partisans, but as judges as to
the guilt or innocence of the defendant:
that they must not give any favors.
simply decide as to Hechler's inno-
cence. In impassioned language he
told them 1t had been tho whole aim
and purpose OF the recent Constitution
to purify the electorate, to get rid o.
that crowd OF cattle whose votes could
once be purchased at the polls and lie
told them 1t WAS not merely trial of
Hechler but also of the law and the
Constitution, and a question as to
whether they would allow retrogres-
sion to tho former days OF rotten cleo.
tons or keep pace with the march Of
civilization and increasing purity in
all affairs OF life. He then closed his
case.
Mr.. D. c. Richardson opened the re-
ply for the defense. Laboring under
q physical disability. Mr.. Richardson
began eloquently his defense Of his
friend and client, against whom he
said a foul and unfounded charge had
been brought. He referred bitterly to
the fact that on neither of the two
grand 3uries had there sat man who
was q friend OF the prisoner; but the
argument was ruled as improper on
objection OF Mr.. Smith. He said that
they must have absolute proof for
every allegation to bring conviction,
and that counsel for the defense could
prove that Hech1er never paid dollar
In taxes. All the testimony had been
that Gentry made the payments, and
therefore they couldn't charge Hechler
with the wrong. AS we'll. he said. say
that Mr. WaddilI or Mr.. Phillips were
guilty. All the evidence. he declared.
showed that Hechler had been ap-
preached by the witnesses asking him
to pay their poll taxes, but that In
every instance he had answered no,
that he could not pay them. There was
not particle of evidence to show that
Hechler would pay their poll taxes out
of a private fund. The majority OF the
witnesses had testified that they had
never seen Mr.. Hechler, Mr.. Richard
son declared. lie said 1t was peculiar
case In that the commemorative At
torney made It appear as IL all the wit
nesses We're liars. and yet asked for IL
on their testimony, and
rather severely nrraigned such meth
cd of prosecution.
Mt. Richardson spoke at length and
with great eloQuence. Beads OF perspi-
force and fiery spirit of his harangue.
He declared there to have been no di-
rect evidence to show that Hechler
had guilty knowledge of the Illegal
payment OF taxes. He asked, as this
to determine who shall be
treasurer of Henrico county? What
ever may be its purpose, YOU must not
be moved by partisan feeling" He rldi- 4
culed the testimony of Sidney O'Ban-
non, who he said had stated he kept
tab OF Mr., Hechler's alleged Illegal
payment OF taxes, fearing some after
nath, but had not kept tab of others
who had done the same thing.
'If Mr. Hechler." he declared. chad
been defeated in tho primary, this
prosecution would not have resulted"
an outburst OF applause followed, ana
me courtroom had to be sharply or
AeHed TO silence. II was very evident
mat Hechlers friends were greatly in
the majority among the audience, and
that they We're taking a vital interest
in the proceedings.
Whatever may be the object of the
prosecution he said to the jury. stand
ing directly In front OF them, you must
No. allow Yourselves to be- made the
y OF others who nave othe,
designs at heart than the punishment
OF man who has done wrong" WITH
IN eloquent appeal for Justice, Mr..
,,is'! s.' closed his argument, ana
~ : u''oA arose to carry it ON.
copstltrtion Not on Trial.
M tNiton said that tina prosecution
mao not estahlished single charge
against their client, though he had
been advised and aided by others who
naa come into court TO assist an
a !. who had bean appointed BY |
! az ls uourt, re was very severe In his !
gratuitous With their adYica ena AN NAN In