Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-25

named in the two warrants, nearly
everybody in the court room jumped
at the conclusion that the members
of the Virginia committee would be
convicted and the officers and execu-
tive committeeman acquitted.
Closing Addresses.
The closing addresses to the jury
were made yesterday, Mr.. Harris on.
speaking for the defense. and Com
monwealths Attorney Berkeley for
the commonwealth. Mr.. Harrison
spoke from shortly after 10 o'clock
until court adjourned for the midday
recess. He contended Strongly that
the commonwealth had utterly failed
to substantiate the charges brought
against his clients. He read the
courts Instructions. and insisted that
there was not the slightest evidence
to show that the defendants had becn
guilty of a malicious act: that the
rate increase made for this city was
legitimate act of business. made
necessary by the increase in the al
ready excessive license taxation by
the city council
"BIow at Peoples Liberty"
Captain Berkeley closed for the
commonwealth in on able address. be-
ginning few minutes after O'Clock
and concluding at 6 o'clock. He de-
cIared that the testimony of Mr..
Warren himself proved beyond a
doubt that the rate increase was
made in wanton disregard of the
rights of the people of Newport News
The use of the rate making mower
hold by the insurance combination in
this way. he. said. IS a blow at the
liberties Of the people. "a blow struck
at the very foundation stone OF the
republic
In explaining his own atiitudt in
this prosecution. which had been
criticised by counsel for the defense.
Captain Berkeley said MIR. BatShelor
was right in asserting that the com
monwealih's attorney should ask that
a defendant whom he believed 10 be
not guilty he discharged but went on
TO saw that the rule works both WAYS
and that when he believes a defend
ant guilty II is his duty 10 ask the
jury for a conviction. In concluding
he said that he had tried TO do his
duty. and that he now transferred the
responsibility to the jurors.
Jury Out Over Two Hours
Cour; took recess from S O'Clock
to 7:20 O'Clock for supDcrs. and the
jury retired 20 agree upon a verdict
st 7:so O'Clock. few minutes later
the jury returned for further instruc-
lions. then followed two hours With
fre. door Of the Jury room closed.
The jurors fled in and .he clerk
read the verdict at ten minutes 10 10
O'clock
Tho verdict was received IN pro-
found silence. Tho def ndantS snd
their counsel were surprised and dis
appointed. and they showed Il in their
faces. There were not more than a
dozen spectators in the court room
Nv agreement Of counsel the de-
PENDANTS were not required to renev
their bonds pending tho disposition Of
the motion for a rev trial The de-
PENDANTS. MeSsrs. Harrison. OF Lynch
burg. and King. OF Atlantis. OF counsel
for the defense. and the members Of
the jury viii leave the city this morn
inE-
The costs Of this case. which viii
have 10 he paid by the defendants "
they finally lose. viii amount 70 hun
arcds cf dollars. Bcsldes This. q IS
pr,babIc. that the cDst Of counsel. the
rctord. travelling eypcsscs. hotel bills.
cic.. probably have amounted 20 hs-
tccn thousand dollars. 10 say nothing
% the :imc lost by the iwen,y-thrcc
defendant.
Poor Pay for Jurors
Tho Southampton conniy ciiizens
~ho co.no0scd the jury were Jcfiro
fsuticr. W. u. Belt Icssr J.. Conn. J
Y. Rove. ". T. Joyncr. ? W Turner
AMI 7. c fIundicy. AT 81 fhcm arc