The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-07-18

the privilege of speaking ON the
ground that he felt the Nonpartisan
league was on trial. The court denied
his request.
Prosecutor Nicholas spoke nearly
four hours before he closed his address
to the jury. He charged that the
state had proved it's conspiracy charge
against the two Nonpartisan league
leaders through the testimony of wit
nesses who heard various speeches
made by the defendants through evil
dence in the form of league litera-
ture and through the testimony of
the states leading witnesses, one of
whom was F. A. Teigen, a former
member of the league, who declared
that Townley told him in 1917 1--WE are
against this war, but can't afford to
advertise it."
A moment after Nicholas closed his
argument, Townley stepped before the
court. The president of the Nonparti-
san league, an organization which
Townley said has more than 100000
members, had taken off his coat. His
suspenders snapped as he stretched
his long arms and began speaking.
Scores of women were in the crowd
which jammed the court room.
Fires Counsel.
"Your honor" he said, 81 have dis
charged my counsel.
81 want to say that | have every
confidence in the ability of men who
have been representing me. But |
feel that | and the organization are
on trial, and l feel that | can handle
this defense better than my attorneys.
| do not know what Mr.. Gilbert is go
ing to do about it; l do not know
whether he is going to be heard
through his attorney"
At this point, Joe Hoke, who has
been chief counsel for the defendants,
announced that Gilbert waived his
right to be represented by counsel.
Townley Continued.
81 ask your honor that l may be
permitted to make my own plea to
the jury. l am anxious to do this.
The attitude of more than 250,000
farmers and a million of people
throughout this northwest will depend
upon your decision, and I again ask
to be permitted to make the address
in my own behalf"
Judge Dean pointed out to Townley
that this is a ase alleging conspiracy
in which the law holds that the two
defendants, if found guilty would be
considered equally guilty. The court
questioned whether the law would per-
NIT M of the defendants to try his
own case in an action of this kind,
without legally representing the other
defendant. Townley is not a lawyer.
"The application of common sense,
written into words and applied to the
rule of life-is different, your honor"
said the Nonpartisan league chieftan.
"Guilbert has quit. Suppose he would
decide to plead guilty? Would that
NEAR that. l am guilty? feel that
l am innocent and l ask for the right
to make my own plea"
Assistant Attorney General j. E.
Markham objected, holding that the
court could not properly grant the de-
PENDANTS request. Judge Dean then
asked the attorneys to submit author
tiles on the issues and Townley took
his chair while the lawyers argued.
Then Townley, after a brief confer
ence with his attorney, announced he
had decided to rest his case without
argument.
~ believe that my interests as a cit
izen and defendant will best be served
in this manner unless l can address
myself to the jury" said Townley
Judge Dean began his instructions to
the jury at 1923 p. m.
Stay Granted.
Judge E. C. Dean granted a stay of
sentence until September Is to per-