Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-10-20
CLEARFIELD PA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20. 1895
NEW SERIES--V0L. 10, NO. "A.

held dear were fastened in that con
suming fire
BY your verdict you have said that
Griffin did right. You have said thai
he had a right to go to sleep while OF
duty that he had n right to sit on
his cushion, reclining his head against
the bar, and voluntarily 90 to sleep
even If a hundred lives were depend
ing on his diligence; that it was right
that the persons on that train should
be burned You have said, as a Jury
OF Pike county, that Griffin and all
other engineers, may sleep upon their
posts, and they are guilty of no crime
l supposed, when ! charged you yes.
terday, that | was addressing intelli.
gent and conscientious jurymen-men
who would have some regard for their
oaths. feel Inundated. the public
must feel humiliated, that a Jury Of
Pike county should so conduct them.
selves.
No one has more sympathy than
have for the defendant and for bis
wife, and for his children if he has any.
Yesterday when / heard that shrek
from his wife, l felt to syinpathizo
with her, but | could not be a party
to such a monstrous verdict. thank
God that the verdict of this jury settles
nothing.
But such q monstrous verdict as this
brings the jury system into disrepute
"A system for which | have always
had the greatest respect, which now,
! must admit, is somewhat shaken-a
system which permits twelve men TO
nulily the laws Of the Legislature, TO
set at naught the instructions of the
Court, to ignore Justice, and to pub
lish to the world that public servan;
has right to sleep on bis post and
not be responsible for any of the con-
sequences. Suppose you were asked
to give a reason for yourvcrdict. You
could not your tongues would be as
silent as those Of the victims Of James
Griflin's negligence. This verdict may
have been an error of Judgment on
your part and ] trust it was, as !
wish 10 be as charitable towards you
as ! consistently can.
l rcbuked the demonstration that
was made here last night trust
that such another town meeting dem.
onstration will never be exhibited in
this or any other Court.
In future ! hope that you will feel
a proper regard for your oaths.
You are now discharged from any
further duty at this Court. You are
not ft TO sit as jurymen. / will not
try causes before such a jury.
THE SENSATION IN THE COURT ROOM,
when the Judge pronounced this
scathing and wilhering reproof, may
better be imagined tnan described.
The impression made by his remarks
has extended abroad through the en-
tire community, and has given rise to
eapsi5sr9bIee, excited feeling and dis
CONCLUDING SCENES OF THE TRIAL.
Griffin was brought into Court,
when the Judge addressed few re-
marks TO him, saying that he had been
acquitted of the offence that be (the
Judge believed the verdict was an
unjust and improper one; but he was
glad to find, however, that in the
bour Of peril he (Griflin) had been
sustained as to his previous good
character by the voice Of his friends
and neighbors, etc. The Judge then
sentenced him to pay the costs Of the
suit probably about sl00) or give
security for the payment Of same.
Mr. Jcssup, of counsel for prosecu-
ton, made a motion that Griffin be
held in recognizance to await proceed.
ings against him on an indictment for
manslaughter under the common law.
Aler some discussion by counsel on
either side, the Judge denied the
motion.
Griffin was then released from Gus
tody, and Immediately started for his
home at SusQuehanna Depot.