The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-06
COURT EXCUSES
CANDIDATFFROM
DUTY AS JUROR
William Croker, Aspirant for
Mayor, Summoned as Tales
man in Calhoun Trial
Another Weary Day Ends With
out Placing Any Citizen in
the Jury Box

Colonel Henry l. Kowalsky, the at
torney celebrated for his ability TO
sing suddenly into the arms of Nor
pheus at any and all times, was WIS.,
itor 1T the Calhoun trial Tuesday
morning, and yesterday his spirit, so
far as relates to his ability to slumber
appeared in the form of Angus Beaton,
millwright living at 1912 First, ave-
nue.. Beaton was called as a talesman,
and in his appeal to Judge Lawlor TO
be excused he cited symptoms that re-
minded the audience forcibly of Ko-
walsky, who has been considered the
premier knight Of Sunderland.
Kowalsky. however, still stands pre-
eminently the sleeper of the two, for
Beaton stated that. while he felt certain
that the Calhoun trial would but prove
an invitation to sleep. at his work he
was able to keep fairly wide awake
with the sid Of the screeching buzz
saws. Beaton also told of a way of
lighting off slumber that perhaps never
has been called to the attention of
Colonel Kowalsky.
I keep awake at the mill by work
ing hard and keeping at it all the
time" he told Judge Lawlor.
The telesman was excused by his
honor and managed TO get out of the
courtroom in a waking condition.
The second mayorslty candidate to
enter the Calhoun trial appeared yes
lerday in the person OF William Crock
er, the businessmen's committee candi-
date for the chief municipal office
Byron Mauzy, who is also candidate.
was examined by Judge Lawlor and ex-
cUsed last week
CROCKER Is EXCUSED
Crocker found no difficulty in evad-
ing jury service, for the attorneys for
both sides were lenient and consented
10 allow him 10 go. The excuse put
forth by Croker was that he was
candidate for the Office for mayor and
had expressed his opinions in the news
papers Judge Lawlor did not feel en-
powered to allow the millman to go on
this representation. but the defense
signihed its willingness to excuse him
and District Attorney Langdon re-
marked good nsturediy that he did not
wish TO keep a candidate from his ac-
Invites. Croker left. with a relieved
countensnce at having evsded jury duty
IN order 10 carry out his political plans.
The day passed without another Juror
being secured. and one of the three
prospective talesmen, whose examina-
rion was concluded from Wednesday
was excused by consent. This was
Samuel Reisman, who, it was found.
had been examined and excused in the
trial Of Frank Murphy, the attorney.
The examination of both George L.
Merguire and David s. Ciphers was
resumed yesterday. but left uncom-
pleted, for Judge Lawlor wished to
go into the law governing their ability
10 serve as jurors. The two were ex-
cused until o'clock Monday after
both had been queried at length by
the attorneys again.
DOUBTFUL ABOUT SUPERVISORS
one tslesman, Louis Bernstein, a for
mer jeweler. now in the real estate
business, was questioned at length by
the counsel and told to return today to
be examined further. Bernstein was
passed in their preliminary question:
ing by the defense, but was held under
Langdons fire for over half an hour
while his attitude toward the testi-
mony the supervisors would give was
deived into. It appeared. from Bern
stems replies. that he did not place
any decided credence upon the word
Of the supervisors when he read in the
ia pers that they had confessed to hav-
sag received money. When the hour
81 adjournment ended the examination
il was not at all clear whether or not
the talesman would believe the super
Visors even If he heard them testify
that they received brides. The Jurors
state Of mind will be further explored
today.
WEAKNESS TOWARD DEFENDANT
Thomas Denigan. a pioneer wool
merchant OF this city. with Offices in
the Pacific building, admitted having a
strong weakness" toward the defend
ant and stated that he did not think
he could convict the trolley magnate
IN the case, as far as he knew of il
he was challenged by the prosecution
and excused.
George L. Burns surprised attorneys
and audience by stating that he never
had heard an opinion expressed re-
ssrding the case. did not know whether
or not Ruef was convicted, and had
heard about The immunity agreements
with the supervisors only in a general
sort Of way. lie stated that he had
no opinion, but was excused by both
sides by consent
Thus far 1916 names have been
drawn from the big venire box and 266
men examined by the ATTORNEYS. In
the Is days the trial has been heard
two temporary jurors, subject to per-
emptory challenge, have been secured
and there are three talesmen now un-
des process Of examination.
Hanex, CroraS Taxx,ua,,