Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-10-20
NEW SERIES--V0L. 10, NO. a.


held dear were fastened in that con.
suming freg
BY your verdict you have said that
Griffin did right. You have said that
no had right TO 60 to sleep wbilc on
duty that he had right to sit on
his cushion, reclining his head against
the bar, and voluntarily go to sleep,
even II 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 jury
OF Pike county, that Griffin aud 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 somo regard for their
oaths feel humiiated. the public
must feel humiliatcd, that a Jury of
Pike county should so conduct them
selves.
No one has more sympathy than !
have for the defendant and for his
wife, aud for his children if he has any.
Yesterday when | heard that shrek
from his wife, l felt to syrnpathizc
with her, but | could not be party
TO such monstrous verdict thank
God that the verdict ofthis jury settles
nothing.
But snoh monsirous verdict as this
brings the jury system into 1isre2utc
"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 tho
Court, to ignore justice, and to pub
lish to the world that a public servant
has n right to sleep on his post and
not be responsible Tor any of the con-
sequences. Suppose you were asked
TO give a reason for yourverdict. You
could not; your tongues would be as
silent as these Of the victims Of James
Gri6in'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 rcbnked 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 l 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 fit TO sit as iurymen. ! will moi
try causes before such jury.
THE SENSATION IN TUE COURT ROOM,
when the Judge pronounced thi:
scathing and whitening reproof, may
better be imagined tnan described
The impression made by his remark,
has extended abroad through the en-
tire community, and has given rise tc
considerable excited feeling and dis
cussiOn Of the merits or the verdict
CONCLUDING SCENES OF THE TRIAL.
Griffin was brought into Court
when the Judge addressed n few re
marks TO him, saying that be had beer
acquitted Of the offence that he 9TH
Judgc) believed the verdict was ar
unjust and improper one but he wa
glad to find, however, that in th'
hour Of peril he (Grfiin) had beer
sustained as TO his previous gooC
character by the voice Of his friend
and neighbors, etc. The Judge thel
sentenced him to pay tho costs Of thu
suit (probably about sl00) or Civ
security for the payment Of same.
Mr. Jossup, Of counsel for prosecu
ton, made a motion that Griffin b
held in reoognizance to await proceed
ings against him on an indictment 70
manslaughtcr under the common law
Aiier some discussion by counsel oI
either side, the Judge denied tn
motion.
Griffin was then released from Gus
tody, and Immediately started for hi
home at Susquchanna Depot.