Allegations against the Court'
Six Months' Imprisonment There was another sensational: session of the United States Court! for China. on Thursday when Mr. W. S. Fleming, senior partner of the law firm of Fleming, Davies Bryan, was brought before Judge C. S. Lobingier on the charge for which he was committed on Tues day by Mr. F. J. Schuhl, the Commissioner, namely, criminal libel f Mr. Stirling Fessenden, the senior member of the American Bar here. The courtroom was age packed with interested auditors, Mr. H. D. Rodger (Acting District Attorney), with Mr. J. Ross, appeared for the prosecution, whilst Mr. Fleming this time conducted his own case, though Mr. J. B. Davies, one of his partners, sat with him. The other partner, Mr. R. T. Bryan, who previously assisted in the defence, was not in Court.
The moment the Judge entered, Mr, Fleming stood up with a paper in his hand and, when the Judge asked for the information to be read, Mr. Fleming started: "May it please the Court——.
The Judge (sharply): You sit down until the information is read. Sit down. 3 Mr. Fleming continued standing, but did not interrupt again until the Clerk had finished, when ho again appealed to the Judge: "May it please the Court, I desire to file a petition and motion en an application for a change of venue. I desire to argue this motion.""
The Judge:—Very well, I will hear you now, Defendant:—I am nov prepared new. I have many authorities to get together and I only received notice yesterday afternoon.
The Judge:—Woell, we will hear the petition.
Defendant read the petition.
The Judge:—Have you anything in support of that?
Defendant:—TI have an affidavit.
Artempr to Disquauiry THE Coun.
The defendant then read a lengthy affidavit, in which he made many allegations against various Court officials and members of the local American Bar.
Mr. Rodger:—In regard to what the accused has said, I submit that this is a deliberate plan to dix qualify the only Court that has jurisdiction. This application is made for that purpose and that only. He, being a lawyer, well knows that no other Court can try this case. It is a deliberate attempt to discredit anyone who has anything to do with this prosecution. I think ho hopes to gain immunity from punishment for the offence charged against him in this way. It would be a great mistake to allow it, He knows there is no such remedy-He has not quoted any law in support of his contention and he cannot do so. As for this affidavit, in that he is guilty of the grossest contempt of Court. It is all mis representations and wild, irre. sponsible statements, made by a person charged with a very serious offence, in an attempt yo confuse the issue and make such a muddle of it all that he will thereby escape trial.
Mr. Fremixe Coney on to Exptary.
The Judg: wil] hear you first of all on this question Why
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.