The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-30
EnaAL xMTnLLTaHMcn.
Henry Richards Sentence.
cyoainf ~ Q1tn1fer Soaoioao - LIdno pn1.ona,

motion for reconsideration of the sentence of
the perjurer Henry Reichard was this morning dis
posed Of by Judge Paxson as follows:-
An Indictment was found against the defendant
at the present term Of this Court charging him with
wilful and corrupt perjury, to which he pleaded
guilty, and he was sentenced to seven years impri
sonment in the Eastern Penitentiary, the maximum
punishment provided by law for this otfense. have
been asked to reconsider this sentence with view
to its reduction.
In order that no injustice might be done the de-
fendant, directed rule to reconsider the sentence
to be entered, and have given the subject such
sideration as l deemed its Importance demanded.
This being the last day of the term 1t Is proper to
dispose of the rule now.
The defendant became bail before me for one
Catharlne Waite, who was charged with arson. The
examined him carefully under oath touching his
competency to go bail He gave his name state
ment OF the real estate he owned, and produced the
deeds showing the title to be recorded, and stated
that the property was clear of any encumbrance. His
story was perfectly straight, apparently TRUTHFUL
and I accepted him as bail, which was duly entered
and MRS Waite released from prison.
Within an hour after his examination before me-
the whole story told by Reichard was shown to be
talse The name he gave was an assumed one. He
did not own foot OF ground, ground anywhere 9y @ and the
bench warrant was Immediately issued for the re-
arrest of Mrs. Waite, and also warrant against
parties arrested the same evening and lodged
in jail Relchard pleaded guilty, and was sentenced,
Waite was tried upon the charge OF arson and
acquitted am now asked to reconsider Richards
First Mrs. Waite having been acquitted by the
jury, it appears that he committed perjury in becom-
! ing bail for an innocent person; and
Second. That he was q mere dupe OF other per-
| sons, and was induced to commit the crime under
the belief or assurance that he could make large
| sum OF money by the transaction.
am unable to see the force Of these reasons. His
oense had nothing to do with the guilt or innocence
f 81 s nT mae M 9rea s az o she had II seen donVeed
and sentenced for the arson. 1t is sufficient that
she was charged with high crime-one that in
some of the States Is yet punished with death-and
the defendant attempted to take the prisoner out Of
| the hands of the Court by means or perjury. He
succeeded for brief PERIOD and but for the vigi-
lance and promptness OF Assistant Dstrct-Attorney
Pratt and the Court Clerk, Mr. Galton, would have
been entirely successful and 1t It is no paation TIC & Of
| crime with which she was charged. And If there
were any force in this vewof the case, we must not
lose sight of the fact that the evidence upon the trial
| of the arson bore very hard upon Mrs. Waite.
have no doubt the jury acted from conscientious
motives and upon the best lights they had. desire
to cast no censure upon them, but am free to say
that If they had come to different conclusion the
| Court would have had no hesitation in sustaining
| their verdict. The case was tried with great care
and ability upon the part of Assistant District At
torney Pratt, and point was omitted in the proofs
laid before the jury, or in the arguments enforcing
| those facts. The Commemorative officers did their
whole duty in this as in every other case which they
to hold that Mrs Wates Jury were not satisfied Of
her guilt beyond all reasonable doubt, that we
| should have any question OF Richards guilt, when
| his perjury was committed in open court detected
within an hour, and stands confessed by his plea.
1t may be that Reichard was the dupe OF some one
up In open court, as this man did, and go through
with his false story, without the moving of muscle
or q change OF ceuntenance, can hardly be novice
| in crime. i watched his face closely at the time,
and never saw an instance OF such perfect cool
ness and assurance in the commission OF such an
| ofense That he has been disappointed in the re-
suit is possible and even probable. But If men VIII
allow themselves to be put forward as "dupes' ia
such transactions this It is time they understood
the severe penalty they will have to pay in case of
detection and conviction. man who commits
perjury for pay is hardly entitled to mercifu con-
sideraton as dupe or for the reason that his crime
| has not been as profitable as he anticipated
"a This mans punishment was heavy, but his of1ense
was heavy also. He has not even the poor excuse OF
being tempted by self interest to swear falsely in
proceeding to which he was party. 1t was CON-
mitted in bold attempt 10 ObSTttct the ddnlfntstrd
| tion of public justice And because IL was 80 COM
mitted and because this offense has become so com
| mon as TO require prompt and severe treatment,
administered to this defendant the full measure o
| the law. 1t falls heavily upon him, and would
gladly tighten the blow II could do 80 consistently
but the interests OF society require that this sentence
which was imposed for its protection should be en-
| forced Rule discharged.
| Counsel for the Park Commissioners.
Court Of Quarter SessiOns-Judge Petrce.
decision was this morning given by JudR'
Perce settling that Messrs Joshua Spering anC
| Joseph X. Fletcher were the legally authorized
| counsel for the Park Commiss soners under the ap
| Of tv Sol WOrrpI