The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-12
Is a Mans Life Worthless.

state In the approaching struggle.
Is a Mans Life Worthless.
By an act of Assembly, approved March 49,
1867, it is provided that all persons who are
committed to answer at the bar of the Crimi-
nal Court serious charge, must be put upon
their trial before the expiration of the fourth
term of the court thereafter held, or be dis
charged. The terms being monthly, the trial
must be fully and formally inaugurated within
four months Of the time OF commitment. If
the prisoner demand delay for any purpose,
or if the sickness of any of the parties to the
case, or any other legitimate and reasonable
cause not within the control of the representa-
tives of the Common wealth, render such delay
necessary, then, and then alone, is the accused
deprived of the benefit of the statute. This law
is certainly reasonable one, demanded by
the strict rule of justice, and necessary to the
full protection of all innocent men from vexa-
tious and unfourded prosecutions. The limit
of four months is as fair limit as could be
fixed, giving the prosecuting attorney ample
time for examining the case, and not exacting
of the accused penalty of excessive severity
in case he should be found innocent. Bat the
statute is explicit and precise in its wording,
and if none of the contingencies named above
occur, the accused is entitled, under the law
to his full discharge at the expiration of four
months without q serious after. pit to discover
his innocence or guilt. BY reason of its pre-
cison-a merit by far too rare in our criminal
legislation-a heavy responsibility is thrown
upon the prosecuting officers of the Common
wealth, of whom it demands prompt and zeal
GUS action.
How that demand has been met in a case
which has just been closed before Judge
Peirce, is a question which the law abiding
citizens of Philadelphia request Mr.. William
B. Mann, the late District Attorney, to
answer.
On the after noon of the 22d of June last, in
broad daylight, Michael Galen met violent
death near house at the corner Of Ninth and
Manila streets, in the Second ward, at which
Democratic delegate election was in progress.
When Galen attempted to deposit his vote,
he was challenged by some one in the large
crowd grouped about the window, on the
ground that he was fugitive from justice.
His vote was received, however; and the man
then had his revenge upon his opponents by
challenging the next voter who presented
himself. This was Michael Mcbride. The
following then occurred, according to the tes-
timony of James Hagen, an inspector acting
at the election
mcbride said, You -. do you challenge
me p and pulled out a knife and came at q ,llen.
who drew back; think he struck Galen in
the heart; Gallen fell back. but Mcbride kept at
him, striking him as butcher Sta6S cdLf; there
was no possibility Of Gallen escaping; Gallen
had nothing in his hands at the time; he after
wards got away, and when he came back TO
the window had club; he was then covered
all over with blood. ana his head cut; (Thomas)
Grieveland. at the time Mcbride was cutting
away, was firing stones at sllen, and | am
positive one struck him; (fnomas Holland
pulled out black jack and hit Gallen also; |
can't say where; he struck at his head, but
| don't know whether he hit him; when Gallen
came back be said, Il could lick all you people
but am killed now ana Mike Me Bride killed
| me-; he then threw the club at some one"
The murderous weapon welded by Mcbride,
according to the same witness, chad long
blade;" and, according to another, 'it was like
a lance-a long, curious looking knife" The
latter witness, Francis McIIlhone by name
who had been in the company OF Gallen fol
some time, also testified
"He (McBride) was carrying the knife open
in his hand all the time b. fore the fight;
thought he was going to murder some one; h
| looked JuH of IL. @ / saw Mike Mcbride
put kniie inIo Gallen during the Tight"
The Press of June 20, from which we have
extracted the above evidence, because its re
port was the fullest and most explicit, filling
an entire column, gives the testimony of ftteel
different Witnesses and states, in conclusion
that several others were present, but it wa
not deemed necessary by the Coroner to exa
mine them. The verdict returned by tn
Coroner's jury was as follows
"That the said Michael Gsllen came to hi
death from a stab inf tcted at the hands OF Mi
chaaI McBride June 22. 1858, at Ninth and NJ 4
nilla sire els; and we also find Dennis Mcbride
Joseph Grieyeland, and Thomas j. Hoilsn
accessory TO the fact"
We have given the details of this disgrace
ful encounter, because they are SO clear an
positive, unless more than dozen men wer
guilty of the most unblushing perjury. The
present even more than prima facie case {
murder; it.wOuld ssem to be inccntsstabie, an