Evening journal., 1911-05-13
HEARING MORE
BRIBERY CHARGES
I. E. Marvel On Trial In Kent
Court for Alleged Money
Promise
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL

Special TO THE EVENING JOURNAL
DOVER Del, May ts.-In the Court
Of General Sessions this morning,
Thomas F.. Marvel Of Smyrna, was
charged with promising TO pay $50
TO Isaac Ford, a registered voter of
the second election district Of the
First Representative district of Kent
county, If Ford would allow the Re-
publican voters assistant to mark his
ballot AZ the election.
In his examination, Ford stuck
closely to his testimony giving a de-
tailed conversation with Marvel
wherein the offer was made but upon
cross-examination he became con-
fused i'm his answers TO questions
from Former Judge Hastings. He de-
MED subsequent conversations with
other people which Judge Hastings
called TO his attention. There was an
argument over what Ford meant by
IAN Offer and by "a promise" Mr..
Harrington, for the State, held out
$50 bill I'm his hand and said he asked
Ford II he held that out 10 him would
he consider II an offer Putting the
bill In his pocket, Mr.. Harrington
asked Ford II he were to tell him he
would give him 500 would Ford con-
side It a promise Ford became mix
ed and showed he didn't know what
was an offer and what a promise.
Judge Rice said to Ford that If he
were to ask him to go to hotel and
get his, the judges, hat and would
pay him ten cents for doing 1t, would
Ford consider that q promise Ford
said II he were man enough to get
the hat, the judge ought to be man
enough to pay for IL.
Charles s. Powell swore he was
sent by Marvel 10 get Ford Powell
said he said 10 Marvel, you have no
more money than I have
Marvel. he said, responded, TN
guarantee IL. have good credit.
Powell then said. well, that won't
do" Marvel replied. "I'll tell you
how We work it," Mr.. Hastings OBJ
jected at this point, and Judges Con-
rad and Wooley overruled the obiec-
tion, providing that the State guar
antee TO connect Ford directly with
tho case. Judge Rice dissented, but
the majority assented with this pro
viso. Judge Woolley thaught that
the testimony should he admitted
without condition, as Marvel was con-
stituting Powell his agent to get
Ford
Powell continued: Here's how we
do II, Mr.. Jefferson. the postmaster,
has the money. When you vote you
call the voters assistant After v9t-
ing, he takes II to Phillips, the cloth
ing man. Edgar Spruance or Dick
Long, (witness pointed out these three
in the courtroom). After you vote
that right, you go into the Postofiico.
It will be i'm sealed envelope"
Powell swore he then asked Marvel:
who'll give II TO me?'
Never mind. you'll get it," he said
was the reply
After this line Of testimony had
been finished Judge Conrad voted
with Judge Rice 10 rule out the testi-
mony. Judge Woolley dissented, say
ing Marvel had constituted Powell his
agent TO get Ford's vote While Ford
was not shown this system, yet IL was
shown to Marvel. and therefore con-
stituted an admission by Marvel.
Judge Conrad said: Il would not
have voted TO allow the evidence 10
be detailed II ! had not known il
would not have been more closely
connected with Ford himself"
Mr. Hastings then resumed ques-
tioning Powell as TO his motive.
Powell said he was q Democrat aid
wanted TO break up bribery.
Don't you expect 10 get money If
Marvel is oonvicted?" he was asked.
81 don't expect anything until I get
II, replied Powell
How about the reward?"
well, II they hand IL to me I'll take
II"
Mr. Hastings asked Ford ~ he had
had some conversations with Joseph
Truiti, William Lamb and BENJAMIN
Burton. all Of whom we're in court and
stood m
Well we often talk too much when
We oughtn't to talk at all" was Fords
reply
Judge Conrad remarked that that
WAS true
The case is. expected to be finished
this afternoon
The court has not announced its de-
cision in the case Of Charles IT, Moore
heard yesterday but may later to-
day.