The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-02
GEARY AGAIN.


From the " Y. World.
From the letter of "Justitia, in relation to
the case of DIR. Schoeppe, we learn that the
Attorney General of Pennsylvania opposes
the pardon of the accused-frstly, because IL
is easy ''to find one set of chemical expert
mentalists who will fatty contradict the theo-
ries of another set;" secondly, because DIR.
Schoeppe had purchased prussic acid at two
different places within fifteen days prior to
the death of Miss Stennecke;' and, thirdly,
because suspicion Of forgery attaches to
two papers subsequently offered by the al
legged culprit
TO these propositions we reply, firstly, that
Pathological analysis is not matter OF
''theory" but of positive demonstration. AS
regards the particular case in question, the
merest tyro in physiological chemistry should
know that sulphuric acid (the reagent en-
ployed by DR.. Aiken), acting upon nitro
genized animal matter, would be likely to
give the 'test' of more than the trace OF
hydrocyanic acid claimed to have been de-
tected, and that enough cyanOgen commonly
exists in the saliva alone to form prussic acid
under appropriate chemical conditions. Far
from two 'sets of eXperimontalistS being
opposed to each other in this instance, the
testimony at the trial showed so cohclusively
the fallacy of the tests employed that the
evidence with regard to prussic acid was
abandoned by the prosecution: and since that
time the case has been thoroughly reviewed
by prominent bodies of scientific men in New
York, Baltimore, and other cities, whose
unanimous decision has been in favor of the
accused.
That a physician should purchase prussic
acid need not seem 4 very suspicious circum-
stance, if 1t be known that this substance,
despite the popular terror attached to its
name, is frequently and safely employed in
medical practice, and forms an ingredient
in very many cough mixtures DIR.
Schoeppe's second purchase of this drug was
explained on the trial by the worthlessness
of that which lie had previously bought.
Furthermore. if the deceased we're ''in sound
health" up to 1.-THE day before the prisoner
is known to have prescribed for her, to at
tribute criminal intent 10 his purchase of
medicine would imply supernatural pre-
science on his part. Moreover, we are told
by medical men that the symptoms were in
no wise indicative of poisoning by prussic
| a id, and that there were. on the other hand,
| appearances of paralysis caused by apoplectic
| etfusion in the brain.
To the third point adduced against the con-
| demned man, we would answer simply that
| whether he committed forgery or not has
nothing to do with the charge of murder on
which alone he was tried. The former offense
is not, we believe, capital crime under the
| laws of Pennsylvania, and, even if it were,
DR.. Schoeppe has not been indicted for it.
We entirely fail to see the strength of our
correspondents plea, that the condemnation
of one probably innocent man should be al
| lowed TO offset the ''unaccountable pardons
| of numerous notorious criminals; and we
| find no reason to alter the opinion we have
| already expressed with regard to Governor
| Gearys action in this affair.