The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-16

considered by oil good citizens, as 1t shows
condition of society and reckless regard for
human life that are fraught with terrible con
sequences for the future. 1t Is
very evident that some stringent measures
ought to be adopted to warn would
be assassins in the future what will be tner
fate if they do not restrain their murderouS
propensities. Judge Brewster, not many
months ago, declared from the bench tna' 'no
mawl1ish sympathy that was almost lnVarlaoi!
excited in favor of some of the worst crlilii-
nails was an evil of the highest magnitude
and that il was one of the greatest lhceh'i'o'
to crime and one of the most serious lrnPeui-
ments to Justice. With such record lor Ju'U
one-half of one month as that which we nave
before us. il is evident that there is serious
necessity that the iron hand of the law sho"io
be felt in all its rigor that criminals wneh
convicted should receive the sentences thaU
thew deserve to the full extent OF the law,
and that those sentences should DC cari!oU
out to the fullest extent, in spite OF every in-
Auence that can be brought to bear Inc
safety of the community demands that all tue
machinery of the law shall be put IN motlon
to check the reign of blood and give reason
able security for life and limb. Criminals
must be made to feel that they will be visited
by swift and certain vengeance, and that, once
convicted of such dastardly crimes as those
which are embraced in our list, 1T will be OF
no avail to appeal for Executive clemency,
but that the full sentence of the law Will be
promptly executed whatever it may be,
We cannot refrain from the opinion that
A. l,o,r;b1a oripnac which are parDetratoQ
almost daily are due in a very large measure
to the abuse Of the pardoning power. Even
the worst criminals are led to entertain hope
that they can influence the Governor to in
terfere between them and the hangman, and
with many this is all that is required to give
them the utmost license to stab and cut, as
the passion of the moment may incline them.
Governor Geary's use of the pardoning power
has certainly not given satisfaction,
and it is a serious question whether
it ought not to be taken out of the hands of
the executive altogether and lodged with
properly constituted court. The chances that
the power would be abused in this case would
undoubtedly be lessened, and the community
would have some assurances that condemned
criminals would not be turned loose upon
society again without good and sufficient rea-
sons. That it is time some decisive steps were
taken is evident from the following list of
murders and murderous assaults committed
between September 1 and H.
On September we have recorded four cases
to begin with. William O'Connell, a messen-
ger on peach train from Baltimore to New
York, while the train was stopping at the in
tersecton of the junction road and Sixth
street, shot James Cordich, on suspicion that
he was stealing peaches.
A colored man named James Rodman, be-
longing to the Marine Hospital, had his throat
cut by a woman in Barnes court.
The body of an unknown man was found in
the Delaware at Reed street wharf.
The body of newborn infant was found
at Walnut street wharf.
On September Emma Spriggins commit
ted suicide, at No. 1909 SAMSON street, by
cutting her throat with a razor while laboring
under religious excitement.
On September 4, Richard D. Carter, the
foreman of the stone-cutters at Paramount
Park, was shot by Joseph Snyder, and almost
instantly killed Snyder finished his murder
Gus work by committing suicide in his cell
at Moyamensing Prison on the 8th inst, by
holding his face in the slop bucket.
On September 6, Joseph Bickell committed
suicide by throwing himself from the fourth
story window of his residence, No. SO7 North
Fourth street. The reason assigned for this
act was insanity, induced by intemperance.
On September Revenue Detective James
j. Brooks was shot in the liquor store Of
John keenan,, on Front street, above Arch,
while engaged in examining into alleged
frauds against the revenue. The assassin
jumped into a carriage and escaped, and thus
far he has not been discovered, while Mr..
Brooks lies in an extremely critical condition,
it being mere chance whether his life can be
saved. This was a most dastardly outrage,
and one that calls for strenuous exertions on
the part of the authorities to ferret out the
perpetrator and his accessories.
On September 10 John Dryburg stabbed
William Geary in quarrel at one of the Port
Richmond piers.
On the same day William Vaughn COM
mitted suicide in the Franklin Cemetery by
shooting himself.
On September L Lieutenant Colonel James
| j. Seybert an officer who had served with
| distinction throughout the entire Rebellion,
| was knocked down in front of tavern at
| Thirteenth and Wood streets, and died from
his injuries. Philip Flanagan and George S.
| Elliott were held to answer for the assault.
On September 13 Bernard Hagan was shot
nv Dennis Quinn while riding on one of the