The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-04-05
bkIbE-1AKERS
MAKE NO DEFENSE
Five PittsbuTg CouneI'msn En-
ter Pleas Of Guilty.
SIXTEEN OTHERS WILL FIGHT
One of the Men Vino Handled the
Money Confessed to Double Dealing
With His Fellow Boodlers--Another
Tells of Receiving $3.50 For His Vote.

Pittsburg, April 5.-Many councii-
men who heretofore have made brave
appearance and have gleefuiiy an
nounced They've nothing on me,
changed their tunes when they ap-
reared for trial before Judge Frazer
and practically fell over each other in
their efforts to plead nolo contendre'
or no defense. Five men pleaded thus.
several stuck to their original stories
that they had not received a cent OF
bribe money, among the latter being
DR.. Walters, member OF Mayor Ma
gees cabinet while sixteen failed TO
show I'D in court and attachments
were issued for them. Among these
were Representative c. C. Schad. who
later came in and explained that he
had been detained. He intends to fight
the charge.
The surprise came when Hugh Fer
guson, Charles Stewart and r. b.
Kearns. handlers and distributors OF
the corruption fund. threw themselves
upon the mercy of the court. kearns
went through a grilling at the hands
OF Judge Frazer and Assistant District
Attorney Richard Martin! who made
him acknowledge before a crowded
courtroom that not only had he given
money to certain fellow members OF
councils, but that he had held out
upon other members and used the
money intended for them for his own
benefit.
Told of Double Dealing.
Kearns was forced to tell of his
double dealing before some of the very
men from whom he had withheld
money and who, after he had finished
his confession, shook him by the hand
and thanked him for taking their
money and keeping them out of the
present bribery mess"
FIX. StressleS, another of the self
confessed bribe-takers. told how the
money had been delivered to his home
at midnight. and had been received
by his wife He kept it for months
mot knowing from where it came.
but eventually used the $3.50. which
was for his favorable vote on the banF
depository ordinance to open BAN
account for his daughter. Judge Frazer
made him resign from councils and
then postponed sentence.
Brennan Causes Halt.
In making the fight for his client.
Kearns, Attorney w. ]. Brennan caus-
ed a sensation by attacking the valid
ity of the councilmanic indictments
upon the ground that Foreman Harri-
son Nesbit is not qualified elector
of this district Until three months
ago Nesbit was national bank exam
liner, and Brennan contended his home
was in Washington. Judge Frazer took
the matter under Amusement
Local lawyers are almost a unit in
declaring that Brennan's point is not
well taken. and that even. though the
contention is, good law 1t will have,
little effect, as the men who have en-
tered nolo contendre pleas did so upon
magistrates informations and before
indictments had been found. while
those who are fighting the cases nay
be reindicted> by another jury through
entirely different witnesses.
After Men Higher Up.
District Attorney Blakeley is in New
York working personally upon evi-
dence by which he may make sure OF
the conviction of the men higher up"
He is not expected home until Wed
nesday, and it is not likely that any
presentment will be made by the
grand jury until that time.
Assistant District Attorney Seymour
had Councilman Bader make state
ment to the effect that he had been
misguided when he is alleged to have
said he was not guilty, but pleaded
mo defense because he was without
money with which to fight the case.