Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1914-07-02

oiibe On Trial.
After tedious and tirssoms day IN
the Hinds county circuit court, which
was devoted entirely to the task Of
securing . jury Of twelve competent
men to pas on the facts and evidence
IN the case OF r. O. Bilbo. lieutsnant-
governor. charged with bribsfy, the
situation at adjournmsnt time was
practically the same - twenty four
hours before. That is, there were Just
eleven men In the jury box. with quite
number Of waiting talesmen to be
drawn upon In order to fill out.
There was this diffefsnce. however,
and that was. that whereas the defense
had exercised no peremptory chal-
ienges. but had succeeded In getting
two men challenged for cause. now
the list Of percmptory challenges 70
reduced to one. while the state has
two left.
Up to the time OF adjournment, SIX
ty-six veniremen had been examined,
and the jury boz twice filled to the
satisfaction OF the state. and twice ten.
dered to the defendant. Several Of
those seated. after considerable cues
tioning by Attorneys Henry and Cas-.
sidy, were challenged for cause.
The trial was characterized By sew
eral Tits between court and counsel.
Counsel for the defense fought every
inch Of ground and took advantage Of
every resource ct law favorable to
their client.
This was demonstrated when 4
strong effort was made to secure the
challenge from the bench OF five jur-
ors who had passed the court. the
prosecution. and the still further acid
test Of questions Of the defendants
counsel. put through the court, to show
whether or not their minds are free
OF absolute and fixed bias.
Judge Teat denied an application
from Judge Henry Of counsel for Mr..
Bilbo. to be allowed to question these
talesmen directly. a. to their feeling
towards his client. The court stated
that a similar request had been made
by the state to determine the extent
OF bias against the prosecution. which
had been disallowsd. The court was
determined to play fair all round and
would permit no such direct political
questions.
Il want counsel to understand that
Il ID the purpose to try this case on
the law and evidence. and not from
its political phases. and no such ques-
tons viii be allowed" declared the
judge.
Ultimately the defense was com
PEELED to use five challenges, at one
swoop. and the vacant seats had not
been fiIied when sdjournment time
vas reached.
Witnesses AhesaG
The opsu1ng skiFatsA prsaaninasJ
to the Trial q Lieue. Gov. Theo. q
Bflbo. charged with complictsy h a
alleged bribery deai during 1919 with
State senafos @. A. Hobbs OF Lincoln
county and Steve Castieman Of Bel
roai. the latter alleged to have been
the man with the cash. was fought In
the Hinds county court house.
Judge James A. reat Of Kosciuskp.
who is holding the court. again A.
sumsd the reins and Indicated Il was
his intention to handle the case arm-
". but impartiaily. There were few
tilts between counsel or between
court and counsel
Most OF the time after the prelim-
mary rounds was consumed In sound
ing the witness docket. there being
more than 500 for the defense. Not
more than onethird OF these witnesses
responded to their names. The witness
list included upwards OF . hundred
members Of the legislature.
The nrst name on the list Of defense
witnesses, State Senator A. w. Bond
OF Harrison county. failed to respond
a. did Or. J. d. Donald OF Hattiesburg.
senator from the Second district.
After calling these and other names
OF those upon whom service had been
acknowledged. the court directed that
fines Of SIS each be imposed. declar-
ing the defendant was entitled to their
attendance II found and II was their
business TO be here.
After an inquiry OF defendant
counsel as to whether their missing
Witnesses are material to the issue.
and upon being answered in the af-
firmative, Judge rest said:
VERY well. gentiemen. will d.
rect compulsory process to issue for
their Appearances. You are entitled
TO have these witnesses on hand and
the court viii do all that IL can to gel
them here"
Carter spsaks