Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-06-27
J. !: Il 4 F %oa1ss: Secretaries.

ARREST AND DISCHARGE OF WESTwoRTH.-The
local mal'agent of this city few days ago encoun-
tered in the streets pcdar having in his possession
one Of the mail bags Of the government. Upon
Questioning him, this person responded that he had
got it from the farm of John Wentworth, and that
there were plenty more of them there. This infor-
nation was followed up, and on searching at the
farm number of bags were found there, all ofthem
in general use.
Upon this information, and in strict obedience to
the law of 1852, Wentworth was arrested and was
examined yesterday before Robert Rae Esq, U. S.
Commissioner and Judge Drummond of the U. S.
Court
The law governing the case is the following section
of the act of 1852.
"That if any person shall steal, purloin or EN-.
bezze, any mail bags, in by belonging to the
Post Office Department Of the United States or any
property in by, or belonging to the said Post
Office Department, shall for any lucre, gain, or
convenience appropriate any such property to his
oon or any other than ITS proper use, or for any lu
ere or gain, shall convey away any such property,
to the hindrance~or detriment of the public service
OF the United States, the person so offending, his
counsellors," &c, on conviction thereof, &C., shall
be deemed guilty Of felony" &C., &c.
The evidence is published in another column. 1t
is full and complete to the offence, but Judge
Drumnond decided, that the bags having come into
the possession OF the accused lawfully to constitute
the offence defined by the statute, it necessary
that the department should formally demand a re-
turn of the property, before any offence could exist
We have great personal respect for Judge Drum
mond, and WHILE for the credit of the city, we
joice that its Mayor has escaped prosecution for
crime, still think his honor would have done him
self more credit by saying that he afraid to de-
eide against Wentworth, than to have discharged him
on such an extraordinary pretext
man who hires horse at livery stable, or who
borrows horse from neighbor, and rides into the
next county and sells the animal, could not, under
Judge Drummond's law, be convicted of stealing
until the owner formally demands return Of the
property. Convenient law that for horse thieves
We have always understood that man finding an
article OF value, and, knowing the owner, applies
ceny as it he had picked it from the owners pocket
Judge Drummond thinks otherwise.
friend borrows Judge Drummonds horse and
carriage for temporary purpose, and then hides
the equipage for two years. using it constantly in his
own pursuits. Judge Drummond thinks that friend
is not guilty Of conversion until he, Judge D., shall
formally demand Its return.
The case is over, and, as we said before, we are
glad of the result Chicago has suffered deeply from
the fact of Wentworth's election as Mayor. We
have desire to add that disgrace the fact of his
conviction of felony while Mayor. The fact Of his
guilt and the miserable plea upon which he was let
of will, however. 60 forth to the country For
that there is no help. As far the Mayors person.
al character for honesty is concerned, it cannot da
age him abroad; and at home, to use the words OF
the Tribune "stealng, adultery" ETC., will not
hurt Col. Wentworth with his Republican friends"
He goes forth acquitted technical grounds by the
Judge but with the fact his guilt proved by abun.
dant testimony.
Chicago Ill) Times.