The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-07-19

No one who has given any critical attention to
the proceedings of our Criminal Court or to the
details of the evidence taken in criminal cases be-
lore Magistrates, can hesitate to believe that for
some years past, the fearful crime of perjury has
peen steadily upon the increase Those who are
most conversant with the business of our Courts
have long known this to be a fact: and most oe
them can readily point to case after case wherein
the mere perusal of the published testimony would
satisfy even the casual reader that some witness
was forsworn. Juries have, and that within a
few weeks past, convicted prisoners, where they
were only justified in so doing upon the theory
that some of the material evidence offered for the
defence was simple perjury With the moral
turpitude involved in this offence, it is not our
province to deal. 1t is the duty, however, of
every one TO inquire whether so deadly an evil
is really extending the limits of its influence, and,
If so, to aid by effort or suggestion in checking
Its advance. The effect of practice so iniquitou,
scarcely needs comment, in any case, and least
OF all when 1t touches upon those graver matters
over which truth and justice most especially claim
to preside. If convictions have frequently at
tended the issues of cases. despite the power OF
tails have more often brought security to guilt
Some lawyers, of loose and easy consciences, too
haoltualy advise and assist in the preparation
OIL that useful affidavit by which the evil hour
Vi ulai IS postponed for his hapess client, and in
, 'nei uniounded apprehensions are by dnt of
g swearing, made to answer the purpose
"ue belief. Many an INSCRIPTIONS
49,. mas we believe, taken advantage of
'''o"eh' boldly made but credited nv no ono
on Which 10 hang doubt and set a prisoner free
we heeu cite no instances as npmhorless roodors
can easily remember how they boo H.,
Startled, IN common with unanir,o,,.
at verdict which it was imno0s;l,N
pu"'oie itc's We would not. of conrce
NC u"ueistoou' us holding the officers to whom, oro
ch'ruSteu tne execution OF the laws altogether ro
sponSble for the existence of the crime in oro,,;
We admit the difficulties of the case W. l'1
full well that they may be morally satisfied ,,o.
perjury has been committed, and feel justified :,
laying upon some one man the burthen of its sin
yet they may be wholly unable to present such
proof as would probably insure the punishment
OF the offender 1t is not easy thing we confess,
to establish the fact that the suspected party has
"hi''' was l'tiSt WIFI IL WllluI ana ueI1DeT;lIe
intention SO to do. Still, there have been many
giarng cases which have been passed over too light
ihere mas frequently been less sitting inves-
ugauon OF evidence offered by a disreputable COM
Ptiion or accomplice of the accused than was ev
identity demanded by its improbability, or by the
circumstances which called it forth. There have
been some opportunities, not sufficiently improved.
3hen, with the utmost propriety, men might have
transferred from the witness box to the dock
4, soss-examination. 1t may be hard to convict
~Sco on cases. but it certainly is not impossible.
Frcely any one but the officers of our Courts ran
adequate remedy to this growing evil