White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-28
(By Jos. S. Jordan. }

| NEW YORK, Jan. 21.-Judge Ray
and the jury which is trying George
Graham Rice and the firm of b. II.
Scheftels & Co., for alleged misuse
of the mails in conspiracy with in
tent to defraud have been sitting up
and taking notice for the past few
days. The reason thereof is that
Rice is acting as his own attorney,
| having discharged all his counsel.
The change was made before the de-
fense started to present its side of
the case which was on last Thursday.
Mr.. Rice addressed the following
letter to the court:
/ Your Honor, ] respectfully ask
that 1t be noted on the record (and
| that you announce from the beneh)
| that have released all of my counsel
and shall appear and conduct my de-
| fense in my own behalf, during the
| remainder of this trial.
Il am informed by my attorneys
that they cannot procure for me
fair trial unless they are wilfully
disobedent to the orders and rulings
of the court. Being officers of the
court, and refusing to do this, they
are helpless to defend me personally.
I'm assuming my own defense |
to be construed as opposing rightful
authority. but as opposing injustice,
and as a protest against injustice.
Yesterday Mr.. Vorhaus advised
/ that Mr. Elder arrange for a plea of
guilty on my behalf TO secure mercy.
at the same time stating that neither
he. Mr.. Baldwin nor Mr.. Myers had
changed their minds as to my in
nocence, that they believed me inno-
cent of the crimes charged against
me, but that they are up against it
here.
Il would consider myself lacking
in manhood TO submit to any SEN
tence without protest of innocence
while there is a breath of life in me,
and for that reason | refuse to accept
the advice
Given a fair chance to put in my
defense. | am convinced that the case
of the government will collapse like
a haystaek in flood. In solemn en-
treaty | ask for that chance Yours
/ respectfully.
GEORGE GARHAM RICE"
Before granting this request Judge
Ray held a consultation with two
other federal judges. Rice IS nomin-
ally represented by Attorney Elder,
appointed by the court. who stated
that the law allowed no alternative
in the matter. But, he said, he
would permit Rice to defend himself
as far as~possible. The attorneys
still represent scheftels, Stone and
Belser.
Rice had the opportunity of ad-
dressing the jury in his own behalf
when the defense opened its side of
the case. 1t was a remarkable ad-
dress with the conditions surround
ing IT, The judge and the jury were
much interested Rice is as neat and
natty in appearance in the court as in
the old DAYS His spectacles give
him a scholarly appearance. His ad-
dress was concise, foreeful and i'm
passioned lie was gentlemanly at
all times. During his speech a pin
dropped in court could have been
heard. Tears were shed The jury
listened with respectful attention.
He made a good impression on the
twelve men who are to pronounce his
fate.
Tex Rickard, who, with Jack
Gleason, promoted the Jeffries-John-
son fight at Reno in 1910, went on
the stand during the trial of the
Scheftels case before Judge Ray in
the United States district court yes
terday as witness for the defense.
His frank replies to the questions put
him made him popular with almost
everybody in the room. Some of the