The San Francisco call., 1909-02-17
By w. Russell Cole

By w. Russell Cole
With but 10 prospective jurors left
in the box the Calhoun trial adjourned
last night after a setback equivalent
TO al least two weeks of labor and with
the peremptory challenge stage further
away than it has been for many days.
It was day, first of retrogression and
then. to a lesser degree Of progression.
Two jurors were ousted from the box
in the same summary manner which
was employed Monday in the case of
Frederick G. Wulzen, but almost i'm
mediately one Of the three vacancies
was filled by the selection of a new
taIesman. who was passed subject to
peremptory challenge.
Charles H Suydam, a wholesale
' grocer. living at 22O1 California street,
was the addition to the prospective jury
list Walter J. Rock. stationary sales
man, and Walter L. Baskette, book
keeper for the W. P Fuller company,
were the two Who drew discharge
papers.
FORMS No OPINIONS
Scarcely had the Baskette matter
been brought TO a conclusion when
Suydam. whose examination had been
interrupted, convinced the attorneys for
both prosecution and defense that he
had the necessary qualifications TO ad-
nit him to service, and he was prompt
ly passed by each side without chal-
lenge. He is a young man who has
taken mild interest in the graft cases.
but who declared that he had held
opinions ia allegiance and who asserted
most positively that either as defend
ant OF prosecuting attorney he would
be content with a jury made up Of men
whose minds We're in the same state as
his own.
Suydam said that he had read great
deal concerning the. graft cases. had
attended one or two sessions of one OF
the Ford trials and had discussed graft
matters in a general way without
forming set opinions or attaining any
b bias or prejudice against either side.
Ho knew former Supervisor Sanderson
rather intimately, but stated that he
had avoided discussing graft subjects
with him on the ground that it was a
delicate matter 10 touch upon.
Walter J. Rock. against whom i'm
peachment proceedings were instituted
Monday by the prosecution, furnished
The chief interest of the morning ses-
sion Of the court. He was sworn as a
witness to testify concerning the mat
ters that We're touched upon during the
examination Of his brother and Sam
Leake Monday afternoon and his
method Of expressing himself on the
subject was entertaining il not illumi-
mating.
From the time that Rock took the
stand until his examination was
brought TO a close the court was
esoue flow OF language that has enliv-
ened any session Of a graft trial.
Rock admitted having spoken OF
some phases OF the case since being ac-
cepted as juror, stating that he had
discussed the attorneys with TalesmeT
Joseph Dixon and with several other
persons not connected with the case
He assured Heney, however. that it was
always mix on that stuff. kid" wher
ANYBODY broached the subject TO him Il
a greater extent than 10 make a mere
passing remark. At the same time
Rock did not treat the inquiry as q
Joke and toward the close OF the ex.
animation he left his place without
asking permission, marched up Il
Judge Lawlor's bench with his hand:
thrust in his pockets and made dfrect
appeal TO be excused.
DIsLukEs THE MUD
Il want to get out of this, judge" h,
declared without preliminaries. There's
too much mud thrown here"
Take your seat. Mr.. Rock" ordered
Judge Lawlor shortly Rock obeyec
the command. but as he reached tn,
Jury box he turned toward the attor.
news again with a new note of appea
in his voice.
Well" he declared. throwing out
his hands in a gesture Of hopelessness
Il can't promise TO give both sides q
square deal now. I don't want to sit
here and 1 think L ought to be al.
lowed TO go"
i told Joe Dixon" he affirmed. ad.
dressing Heney and referring to one
Of his fellow jurors, that I though,
Won had more brains than all the res
Of the attorneys in this case put to.
gether We talked Of the attorneys
but not about the case"
Il was a sucker TO get on this jur,
in the first place" he blurted out again
..I'U bet that 80 out of every 100 mer
who come into this box and get dis.
missed are without opinions. but mos
of them sit here and lie about IL anC
are excused. How can they have
opinions when they haven't heard the
evidence2"
Il don't agree with you there" an.
swered Heney-
well. I don't like the idea of my
brother coming here and testifying az
he did" continued Rock. He shouldn
have come in and tried TO put a smircf
on my character. ! told you before