The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-05-13

The failure of the jury to find a verdict
against Wickliile, on such plain showing
OF malfeasance, is another of the many evil
dences of the general Indifference of the pub
lie to the proper and honest administration
of the public offices. 1t is very obvious that
the Jury system here has failed to subserVe
the great end for which it was created, and
for which il has beea so long cherished, rs
one of the safeguards of justice and the
rights of the people. We regret to say that
this is not the first example OF such abuse of
this most valuable institution. Some years
ago, in a very similar case, the Treasurer of
the city was indicted for the most extensive
defalcation ever perpetrated III this city.
The accused, upon the detection of his mall
administration, fled from the city, and was
only captured by the skillful use OF the tel
egraph and the great promptitude and dill
gence of the police. And yet when brought
TO trial for his offence, political influences
were set to work in his favor and he was ac-
quilted. We imagine that the verdict in
the Wickliffe case was mainly the result of
like influences.
All the prejudices against Gov. Yarmouth.
political and personal, as well as those which
have been created by what has been regard
ed as a too preciptate and violent course on
his part, in eiecting Wicklifle from Office
doubtless operated upon the minds of the
jury. And yet can anything be clearer than
that the the jury, in yielding to such intlu
ences. failed in their duty and in an obser-
vance of their oath, "a true verdict TO find,
without fear or favor, bias or prejudice
Gov. Yarmouth, his acts and character, his
antecedents and relations to Nickli1fe, have
nothing to do with the guilt or innocence OF
that individual. If Gov. Yarmouth has
failed in. or has exceeded his duty and pow
err let him be held to account therefor? But
his shortcomings, or his abuses OF authOri-
ty, ought not to influence the decision of the
jury on Wickliffe's acts.
1t is charged that there is universal cor
ruption in our public offices. How is it to
be pursued and punished except through
the courts and jurieS, and by the Indictment
singly of the individuals accusedE But if
on the very first Indictment brought. a YER
diet of acquittal is found, how is the great
evil to be abated? And if iuries chosen
from the people at large, acquit the public
officials of clearly proven acts of malYersa-
ton, with what justice and propriety can
the people complain if their public offices
are filled by corrupt, dishonest aud unfaith-
full public officers? Is not this a Tepresen-
tatiye Government, and if the people see
proper to have venal, specializing and black
mailing officials, who shall dispute their
ri ght and power to choose them! If judges
sell their judgments; if judgments are held
up to allow Spectators to operate in funds !;
if Judges hold large amounts of certificates
whose value and legality depend upon their
decisions; if public officials speculate in
the stocks of the Government barter away
its privileges, and levy black mail upon the
creditors of the Government, what hope can
there be for a reform or the restoration of
honesty in the administration of the public
offices? When the people, the grandinquest
of the State, look on with indifference and
even approval, and fail to discharge the duty
which the law imposes on them, the rene
dies left are few and dangerous.