Constitutional Rights

Marcus Garvey, standing on his constitutional rights, continued to conduct his own defense in his trial for misuse of the mails in promoting the Black Star Line (TIME, June 11).

"It would save time," Judge Mack, who was presiding, told Mr. Garvey, "if I should state now that every objection made by you heretofore has been overruled. You took an exception in every case and that only delayed the procedure. I am not conducting a school for lawyers."

Among the witnesses called by Garvey were "Sir" James O'Mealley, a master of Calaba College, Jamaica (sent by Garvey as a delegate to the League of Nations), the Rev. Frederick Augustus Toote (a director of the Black Star Line), "Lady " Bruce, "Duchess of Uganda" (titles conferred upon her husband by Garvey), James Hercules (a boatswain of one of the Black Star Liners) and Amy Jacques Garvey (the defendant's second wife).

"Is this woman your legal wife ?" asked the Court.

"She is my legal wife at present," affirmed Garvey.

Witnesses told of a trip to the West Indies. The testimony was confused but there were apparently at least three occasions on which the Black Star ship was believed to be sinking. On one occasion there was an explosion and everybody "ran around in circles " until the engineer threatened to throw some of the passengers overboard. The next morning the passengers were awakened by the cry: "My God! Somebody's opened the sea cock." All hands were ordered to the pumps to save the ship.