AMERICAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1925, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association

NOVA SCOTIA POLITICS. OTTAWA, Juno 20.. Nova. Scotia’s elections resulted in tlio complete disappearance of the Fanners’ Party. Candidates appear to be sliding back to tbe two party system, legislation by groups not having proved .successful. {SHEPHERD ACQITTTiJD. NI-IW YORK. June 27. ■William Shepherd lias been acquitted at Chicago on the charge of murdering young William McClintoek, tbe fester sen of the late William MiClinlock the millionaire.

The second charge against Shepherd el murdering Mrs McClintoek, was withdrawn, and Shepherd lias now been set free.

The fact.- of the case were that mereurv in sufficient quantities to kill two persons was found in the body of Metliiitock's motner. Mrs Emma Alcdintock, who died in 1009. The Coroner declared last April that lie was positive she was murdered, because the evidence "as of such a nature that theories of suicide or accidental poisoning were unacceptable.

Judge Olsen, who initiated tbe inquiry, claimed that Shepherd murdered the woman as a first step on his plot to gain control of the million dollars' McClintoek estate, then killed Doctor Olsen, .the Judge's brother, when the latter threatened to baulk his plans, and finally he poisoned AlcClintock. when the boy’s impending marriage threatened to deprive accused of the money. Alercury was also found in Doctor Olsen’s body after three years in the grave.

The physician who attended the, woman declared that he never prescribed mercury.

All the evidence during the trial which lasted for six weeks was only circumstantial, and the prosecution admitted that the testimony of its chief witness, Faiman was unreliable. During the Jury’s deliberations, lasting five and a half hours, only one juror favoured the minimum murder punishment. The others advocated an acquittal. Nine of the cousins of MoClintoel; will contest the bestowal of the million dollars estate on Shepherd, they alleging that he used undue influence in the preparation of the will which was drawn up by Shepherd. At the trial. Miss Tsabelle Pope, Wm MeClinto-k’s fiancee, testified that Shepherd had delayed the marriage ceremony for fear of losing the settlement. She admitted that McClintock’s cousins had agreed to split the benefit, if the will were broken. When the verdict was announced, the Court became a bedlam of congratulations to Shepherd, and flashlights boomed over a gesticulating, shouting crowd. CONS?RIPTION ADVOCATES. OTTAWA, June 20.

A resolution urging the conscription uf the nation’s property and power, similar to that recently presented to Congress by the American Legion, was passed by the Great War Veterans Association, al their convention here, following on a di-cus .-ion on world

AMERICAN POLITICS. NEW YORK, June 20

A message from Madison, Wisconsin. states the local Legislative lias chosen the late Senator La Foldte as the subject for the. second of the two statues to which the State is entitled in the National Hall of Fame in the Capitol at Washington.

The death of Senator Ladd, of North Dakota, another Independent, within a few days of Senator T.a Colette's death, leaves the Third Party searching for a cohesive leader. Mrs La Folette is certain to ho elected if she becomes a candidate for her late husband's unexpired term of Senatorship. hut she i- reluctant to enter politics, Mr Robert La Folette. junr., may attempt to succeed his father, but the latter’s followers are divided regarding his capability.

The second son, Phillip, is expected to leave the law and become a candidate for Governor of Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, the Republicans arc doing everything possible to capitalise the situation, and to recapture their former prestige in the Independent strongholds, as a part of which piogranime, President Coolidge personally visited Minnesota shortly before the death of Senator La Folette. The situation summarised, appears to bo that the fat© of the Third Party in the United States is hanging in the balance.