The Weekly Arizonian., 1871-02-18
THE FEDERAL, "RING." AGAIN.

dntnOuya DOFmau was Leleu OeIOre JuQge Titus ofAhe District Court on charge of murder in the first degree, and found guilty. The attorney for the defense, after the cOnvic. ton ofhis ceut, believing that he could obtain evidence in the case which had not been in- hoduced at the trial, moved for new trial, which was denied, and the convicted was duly sentenced to be hanged A petition was then drawn up by two prominent gentlemen, to have the death sentence commuted to imprisonment for life, which was pretty generally signed. and presented to the governor who promptly re- fused to commute the sentence. The last hope of the friends of the convicted seemed to have been abandoned at this point, and prepara- tious for the execution proceeded to comple- tion. A new gallows was erected at an expense of couple hundred dolars-even the coffin was ordered, made aud delivered to the sheriff. The two friends O. the convicted we are told, determined to try a last resourse, armed with two hundred dollars, waited on the Secretary and sought his interposision This had the desired effect; and the day immediately pre- ceding that appointed for the execution, the Shsriff was notified to stay the proceedings, as the case had been appealed to the Supreme Court. Upon what grounds the case has been so referred few seem to understand, but as Secretary Boshford is a deep lawyer he can probably point to some clauae that will justify the transaction.
 in all tbis iL hao nL haop our iDfa ton to attach censure to the part taken by the friends of the convicted to procure the mitiga- tisn of his sentence, ss they acted from mo- tiVes of mercy yalone, and were, unquestonaby, conscientious in their endeavor; and in mat, ter oflife or death, we maintain that, even af- ter conviction fla reasonable suspicion be en- tertained that the doomed man may be inno- ceut or if guilty of a crime that he has not will fully rendered himself so, such suspicion or doubt should be properly weighed and respect ed. Ifupon reconsideration, under such cir cumstauces, 1t should be shown that not sufi- oisat evidence has been brought forth to crim- mate the accused, and he be acquitted, then the public will rest satisfied and society will not be endangered; out in this case wherein new trial was denied from want ofsuaicient grounds, and in which an appeal has afterwards been taken without any known grounds, the effect upon the public mind is anything but desirable. It is simply laying the foundation for mob law and so strong is the feeling now existing against this apparent act of evasion, that, while the people are reither blood thirsty nor lawlessly inclined, we should not be sur prised to witness the assemblage of vigilance committee and see its vengeance meted out in the next aggravated case of murder that may happen iu this neighborhood The opera ton of mob law is not condition of affairs to be encouraged; and statutory law lndiferently administered is about the best nourishment for mob law.
 Another objectionable feature of this pro-. ceeding is the needless expense entailed upon the county. Why was not this conclusion ar- rived at before the Supreme Court had adjourn cd, aud before an additional $50 or 400 dollars expended in making preparations for the ex- ecution-had been heaped upon the county 2 Had the case Ion appear been taken before the Supreme Court while the same was in sesz sion, three weeks ago, the matter might now be at rest and if grounds for his aequlttal could have been discovered the man might be at liberty; or if nothing could be brought forth for his vindication or extenuation then the law would have had it's course, the county would have been freed of useless expense, and the people would feel secure under the protective arm of law
 If capital punishment may not be meted out to those convicted of the crime of which it is the penalty, then, why permi; it to incumber the statutes. It is not the act of mercy which men eombinein denouncing butitis this degra- dalton of law, which seems to license murder aud set aE nought the value of human life.
 A batch oS 200 recruits, principally for the in. tantry companies now sarvin, n Southern Ali