Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-03-14
ASKS CONVICTIONS
in CAPITOL TRIAL
James Scarlet Declares State Has
Proved Its Case.
DEFENSE ENDS ARGUMENT

I'd Nldltil nt NC-
tense concluded its speeches. and the
final summing up OF the evidence was
begun In the capitol contract trials in
the Dauphin county court. James
Scarlet was the speaker for the state.
When he finishes Attorney General
Todd will speak ON behalf Of the com
monwealth. Charles H. Bergner had
the last say for the defense. vigorously
reviewing the evidence as against
three indicted officials and stigmatiz-
ing Architects Huston and Lewis as
towards" while Lewis was styled a
perjnrer.
MIR Scarlet attacked the contentious
Of the six lawyers who had spoken for
the defendants. assailing Auditor Gen.
eral Snyder and asserting that Snyder
and Mathues had not acted fairly with
Governor Pennypacker. Huston he
classed as co-conspirator with the
others. and promised that every man
Indicted by the commonwealth would
be brought into court
At the outset Mr. Scarlet told the
jury that the commonwealth had fully
performed its promise to prove the
conspiracy. and was justified in asking
for the conviction Of each defendant as
he stood indicted.
Mr.. Scarlet argued for some time
that the officials In the case had a
bounden duty TO perform and did not
do II. asserting such lack of action was
.sf e..
of the commonwealth"
"The $100. 000 bond was a secret. and
one Of six persons must have given
Sanderson information. Huston knew
how item - would be used. and he
knew what II could help him do. The
truth Is these men set out TO violate
the law. and Huston. Snyder and
Mathues are together with Sanderson
nj the first breach"
The adoption Of the quantities plan.
the speaker said. was "the opening of
the door tn pcr'lition."
"Had Snyder admitted he under
stood the plans when he approved
them he would have condemned him
self for II was understood that Gov
ernor Pennypacker thought the con-
tract would cost only 100000" said
Mr.. Scarlet. after pointing out on the
plans the Quadriga and other things
which would have run up the cost
Mr.. Scarlet said the officials tried to
hide the bills from the honest old
governor and only when scared at
their size went tn tell him
Didn't the commonwealth OF Penn
sylvania by virtue Of violation of law
lose millions. yet the defense SAYS
SNYDER was preparing safeguards. In
every instance-almost every one-it
was safeguard for Snyder"
Two strong arguments To the jury
in behalf of John II Sanderson we're
delivered
The speakers were p. r Rother.
mel .Ir. and exAttorney General w.
Il. Hensel Mr. Rothermel argued
in favor OF the validity OF the con
tract and declared that Sanderson did
not charge all he could have done. al.
though he averaged" the bills under
the contract He bitterly arraigned
- iihHt'H anu is'WlS 40 WV
ards" and "weaklings" for lending aid
TO the state.
Mr. Hensel contended that there was
an absence of proof Of conspiracy or
that Sanderson had committed any
wrong. and asserted that the former
officials took the judgment Of Governor
PcnnypaclSer. He emphasized the de-
fense's claim that the commonwealth
evidence is ALLEGATION
Mr. Rothermel urged the Jurors TO
give verdict according to conscience.
saying
Justice and truth will be more last
ing than brass or bronze and still
more lasting will be the cherished ira.
dition that in this year In this county.
ave In this court. which Is known
among lawyers MS the commonwealth
own court. there were found twelve
men who had the intelligence. the can
dor. the courage 10 say that no man
shall he convicted on inference and
suspicion. | am. confident that YOU
will answer the commonwealth de.
mand without allowing evidence To
prejudice YOU or argument to mislead
YOU bv rendering verdict of not