New-York tribune., 1908-02-11
LEWIS'S ORDEAL ENDS
Cross -Eromination at Capitol IrlaL
Marked by Sensations.

Harrisburg, Penn, Feb. 1o.--Nervous ana eSciteo
from a severe cross-exaralnation by T. r ho'her-
MEL Of counsel for the defence, Standford B. Lewis
assistant to Joseph NJ. Huston, the architect caused
sensation to-day at the trial of the state Capitoi
conspiracy suit against Sanderson snyder Mathues
and Shurnaker
At an intense moment when Mr. Rothermel was
trying to force Lewis to admit that certain state
nlents contained in the Huston letter TO former AZ
tor71ey General Carson false. the witness
arose in his and produced letter "hlch. he
said would show why he had been indicted In the
conspiracy suits and asked permission OF Judge
kunikel make statement Mt fotherhlel III
stantly objected
Deputy Attorney General Cunningham sprans to
the witness. seized the paper, gave II hurried
glance and then turned Ii to Attorney General
Todd who carefully slowed it away without dis
closing its contents. Meanwhile, Lewis was on his
feet declaring 10 Judge Kunke that Mr.. Rotherrnel
had fmpeached the veracty of his statements and
had dragged in the fact that he was defendant TO
discredit his testimony. and demanded that he be
allowed to put the letter in evidence
Il wish to introduce evidence. your honor which
will show why indicted, pleaded the witness,
pale and nervous
THAT is not relevant to this case. said the
Judge calmly.
TIL find that out later on in my way" re-
marked Mr Rothermel. who resumed his cross
examination 10 the truth or falsity of the Hus-
letter to Carson. Mr. Rothermel tried to force
the witness make unqualified answer. but
Lewis would make direct answer and insisted
that the statements in the letter were partly true.
with qualifications" and partly false. with quail
fcations."
Mr.. RotherrneI appealed to Judge Kunkei several
times compel the witness to answer yes" OF
no or hold him In contempt Judge hunkel ruled
that the witness had answered to the best Of his
ability. and Mr.. Rothernel discontinued his cross
examination the purpose Of which was to discredit
Lewis with the jury.
Lewis was on the stand from last Thursday until
near the close OF to-days session. and he showed
plainly that It was a great relief when he was
finally excused. The defence admits that he was a
strong witness for the Commonwealth and asserts
that without his testimony the state would have
been unable TO make out q senlblance of a case
When Lewis was called this morning he was
allowed to make statement correcting his testi-
nlony concerning Mr.. Carson's alleged participation
in the conference which Hustons letter was
prepared
When said the letter was gotten up with Mr..
Carson explained the witness. L was confused
and should have said in conference with Auditor
General Snyder
T have another correction to make" he con-
tinued- The testimony reads 10 the effect that I
went to Harrisburg myself and saw Auditor Gen
eraI Snyder and Governor Pennypacxer IN confer
ance, and also Hampton l. Carson and went over
this subject in detail. desire TO change that ref
10 Mr.. Carson to read chat I saw the At
torney General about that time and told him
him, and he said need not be IN hurry about it
that I should take my time
The commonwealth obtained the admission today
of letter from Shunlaker acknowledging the re-
cept Of twenty-five Senate chairs from Sanderson
January 10, 1906. which declared TO have been
paid for the following day and which we're not
delivered until January 80 The states lawyers
claim that the fact that the chairs were certified
to and delivered and paid for before the actual
shipment is a strong evidence Of conspiracy
In the redirect examination of Lewis the COM
ronveath showed that two certificates which
Snyder took the Office of T Larry Eyre. IN
Philadelphia, for Illusions signature 8ere dated
back to conform with bills rendered by Sandersou
for goods which had been paid for before delivery
that the money was advanced to Sanderson with
out any consideration of the amounts of his bills
ard that after the election Of State Treasurer
Berry. in November, 1875. Snyder and other state
officers added big amounts 10 old bills make up
the deficiency and had Huston issue o.rtif-
The commonwealth Will close Tomorrow