The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-04-02

experts who could give a competent
opinion as to Thaws present state OF
mind the commission would hear them
next Tuesday morning.
THAT is all I desire" said the dis
trict attorney.
When the public session began Dis
trict Attorney Jerome seemed some :
what irritable and was constantly
thereafter involved III wOrdy clashes
with members Of the commission. His
urgent manner of arguing that he hal
a right to adduce additional testimony
before the commission rendered its
verdict was generally regarded as
concession that Thaw had made
favorable impression during his long
examination.
During the district attorneys cross
examination it was said Thaw ccnpOrt
ed himself most creditably and answer
ed Mr.. Jerome's sharp pointed ques-
tions with calmness and deiiber&tfOn.
Thaw appeared in jubilant spirits when
the public was allowed to enter the
sitting To a reporter who leaned ever
and congratulated him on the showing
he had made, Thaw replied: Thank
you very much but thought that was
to be kept a secret"
Thaw's attorneys expressed them
selves as entirely satisfied with the
final stages of their clients severe
examination. Altogether he was on the
stand about six hours, counting Thurs
days session of the commission. Mr..
JerOme's cross examination, the at
torneys declared, did not shake Thaw
in the least.
Mr. Jerome declined to discuss the
hearing in any way whatsoever. He
seemed much disappointed, however, at
the ruling which shut out DR.. Hamil-
toms testimony, the physician having
already gone on record as saying that
Thaw is "a paranoiac with but slight
chance Of recovery
During the public session this after
noon the commission examined four
prison guards, one of them ThaW'S
personal Warder in the court room,
and a visiting physician to the Tombs.
All declared that ThaW had acted
nationally ever since his incarceration.
One of the guards said Thaw had a
haunted look in his eyes when he first
came to the Tombs, but it began To dis
appear last September.
Attorneys Delmas and Hartridge also
took the stand. They declared ThaW
had fully comprehended every phase
of his trial and had made helpful sug-
gestions from time to time. District
Attorney Jerome asked Mr.. Hartridge
if Thaw had not repeatedly expressed
a desire to address the court. Mr..
Hartridge said he could recall no such
instance. Asked if his associate co1ln-
sci had not Informed him Of ThaWs
wishes along this line. MFR. Hartridge
was silenced by an objection from At
torney Gleason which was sustained
by the commission.
MIR. Jerome thereupon said he would
undertake no further cross examina-
ton of counsel
Chairman Mcclure asked Mr.. jerome
why Dr. Mcclure. the regular Tombs
had not been produced be-
fore the commission. Mr.. Jerome said
he had not seen the physician today.
eve saw him last at the district at
torney's Office" interposed Attorney
Hartridge, ''and we supposed he would
surely be here"
A messenger was sent to summon
the doctor. but he could not be found
"Why has he absented himse1f?" in.
uuired Mr. Mcclure, looking from one
counsel to another. No answer was
forthcoming and the chairman directed
that the doctor be subpoenaed for next
Tuesday, and at the same time remind
ed District Attorney Jerome that as
he had made the suggestion on the
court record as to Thaw's present i'll
sanity, the burden of proof in support
OF that provision rests with him.
During the executive session of the
commission today it is learned that
Thaw was carried over nearly every
detail Of his trial and asked regarding
the testimony offered by various wit
nesses as to the effect he thought this
testimony might have on a jury and
the general tenor OF the courts en- the
broader points of law
On cross examination Mr. Jerome
sought to question ThaW regarding the
letters he wrote to Banker J. Dennison
Lyon of Pittsburg since the tragedy on
Madison Square roof garden. Mr..
Jerome said he based his contention as
to Thaw's present insanity partly on
these letters
The commission ruled that the let
ter's could not be accepted as evidence.
Jerome argued the point at some length
but could not induce the commission to
see the matter in the light in which
he viewed it.