The Man Who Wrote His Name Twice: How J.C. Haines Cleared His Name in Seattle

The friends of ex-Justice Haines in Chicago and throughout the northern part of this nation will learn with satisfaction that he has been acquitted of all complicity in the opium smuggling case worked up by Special Agent Crowley of Chicago. The jury in the United States court at Auburn, N.Y., after a careful consideration of all the testimony in reference to the opium conspiracy, has rendered a verdict of 'not guilty' as against Mr. Haines, and has convicted Edwin A. Gardner, who seems to have been the chief plotter, fixing the penalty at six years in the penitentiary and a fine of $10,000.

The verdict, by implication, convicts Lawyer Stone, of Ogdensburg, N.Y., who turned state's evidence, and whose testimony was directed mainly against Mr. Haines. Mr. Haines' friends in this vicinity were greatly shocked at his indictment on Stone's evidence, which the jury now pronounces to be worthless, as far as Haines is concerned. It is evident that Stone only tried to shift the burden of his own misdeeds on Mr. Haines, whom he sought to make the scapegoat of the conspiracy.

The point against Mr. Haines has also a political purpose. He is one of the leading Republicans of Washington Territory, a lawyer of marked ability, having great influence in the community and his party. His indictment came just before the election and the Democrats hoped it would have the effect of demoralizing the Republicans there. As the result of the trial Mr. Haines will return to his Western home with a stainless character, and will be restored to a position of trust, confidence and leadership from which he was temporarily driven by the malignant conspiracy against him. He has suffered only a temporary check.