The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-01-16
WHOLE NUMBER 1873.

Closing Scene in the Huntington Trial.
The following, giving an account of the
final proceedings in the trial Of Huntington,
the great forger, is from the report by the
New York Times
"Shortly after seven o'clock, the court
room being crowded to its utmost capacity.
the jury returned to their seats. The Judge,
district attorney, and clerk of the court pre-
sently appeared, but Mr.. Brady, lIuntington's
counsel, was still absent. Huntington
glanced uneasily around the court. Then
he fixed his eyes on the jury rs il he would
read their souls. During the whole progress
OF the trial he dill not at any time appear so
agitated. His insanity had given place to
an anxiety which could only tc construed
as that of a perfectly sane person whose
game was played out, and who now waited
the result. When Mr.. Brady arrived Mr..
Faudervoort, the clerk of the court, pollcd
the jurors, and asked if they had agreed up
on their verdict On their replying in the
affirmative, he inquired, amid the breathless
silence of the court, whether they found tho
prisoner guilty or not guilty! Huntington
then learned forward and seemed breathless
till the verdict was delivered The foreman,
in clear voice, satd 'Guiity,' and Hunting
ton fell back in his chair. His selfposses-
sion Immediately returned, and did not
again desert him.
"The district attorney arose anil addressed
the judgc.-Ifyou honor pieases, he said,
gave my learned friend notice this afternoon
that, in the possible event Of the jury con-
victing his client, in view of your honor's
speedy retirement from office, should move
for Immediate judgment.
"Mr. Brady said that nothing that could
happen in any case that could Ire tried could
have surprised him more than the verdict
which had Just been rendered. lie would
, leave the matter with his honor without COM
ment.
"Judgc Capron said, in cffect-for we did
not catch all his words-tllat if points Of law
alone were to he taken into consideration,
judgment might be suspended on the part
of the counsel for the prisoner, there conha
be no objection to the present disposition Of
the case
"Mr. Huntington was then sworn as TO his
knowledge Of any mechanical trade-tho
usual formula before sentencing cuprit to
the State Pris6p. He said he was of no
trade or profession. On being asked what
he had to say why Judgment should not be
pronounced against him, he replied, in a
firm voice, 'Nothing'
Judge Capron said that under no cir.
cu'nstances conld he postpone scnsance.
lie would be glad to do so if he could.
But what he did in the case Of Wills and
ConIey lie would have to DO in the present
instance. Ills feelings would indeed lead
him to suspend judgement, not only in this
instance, bnt in others. Yet, when person
of no standing, socially or morally, WAS ar
raigned for crime, with no one to say
word for him, it was considered no wrong
to sentence linn at once. And still, igno-
rant people, those without position, were
not SO much to blame for the wrong they
did society rs those who were in better cir
eumstanccs, and in far higher station of
life. Taking this into consideration, he
could not postpone sentance neither could
he pronounce less than the fnll sentence of
! the law. A shorter term Of punishment
than this prescribed by the static would
not meet the requirements of the offence.
| Yet, as the law required that the prisoner
should leave prison within certain months Of
the year, the full term of five years could
not be imposed. The sentence Of Tire court,
therefore, was, that the prisoner be confined
in the State prison for the term Of four
gears and ten months.
"rhe jury were ont little more than four
hours. At their first ballot there were nine
for conviction, two for acquittal on the
ground Of insanity, and one for AIN anquali-
fled acquittal. After four hours deli bera-
tion and investigation Of the evidence, they
agreed on verdict of guilty. Their failure
to agree was confidently expected, and many
bets were made that they would be dischar-
ged tonight, at the expiration of Judge
Capron's term Of Office, without coming to
verdict.