that I was not expected to give any of my time to the company, as I
was otherwise engaged. I was editor of a daily newspaper, and could
not attend to anything else. While this company was doing business a
printed circular was used, stating that the corporation had one
hundred thousand dollars PAID up capital. This circular was sent out
through the mails over the State advertising the business. It was
charged this circular was fraudulent; that the company did not have
that amount of capital paid in. My name was attached to this printed
circular. For this, I was indicted in the United States District
Court, on the charge of using the mails for fraudulent purposes. The
advertised capital of this corporation was SUBSCRIBED, but not all
paid in, as it was not needed in the business of the company. After
indictment I was arrested, and gave bonds for my appearance at the
next term of court, which was held soon after.

Not being able to secure the attendance of all my witnesses, my
attorney wrote the prosecuting attorney asking his consent that my
case be continued. The request was granted. When the case was called,
my attorney appeared and introduced a motion to continue the case,
filing affidavits necessary in such cases. The prosecuting attorney
having given his consent, there was no doubt in the minds of those
interested as to the continuance of the case. For some cause best
known to himself, the judge would not grant the continuance, and
forced me to trial without having a single witness. It was my
intention to have some fifty witnesses subpoenaed, to prove that the
insurance company of which I was president was not a fraud. Not being
allowed to have my witnesses, I was, under the instructions of the
court, which were, indeed, exceedingly pointed, found guilty, and
sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment and to pay a fine of two
hundred dollars. The political ring now triumphed for a brief period.