The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-29
GHaAn xNTELLTGuwCH.
Murder In the Second Degr,

Murder In the Second Degree.
Court Of Oyer and Iermtner-Jttdges Parson ana
Finletter.
In the case OF Alfred Riley, charged with ste
murder OF Matthew Sempe, the jury, after being
guilty Of murder in the second degree, and the
Court at once imposed sentence OF ten years In the
Eastern PenteuttarY.
snoderass, the Drayman.
Samuel Snodgrass, who was convicted OF involuD-
tary manslaughter In driving his drsy over the boy
sentenced to fine Of 90 and an imprisonment of
three months.
Receiving Stolen Goods.
In the case OF the Common wealth against Jacob
Metzgar, Judge Paxson said This was a rule to
show cause why the sentence should not be recon-
sloereu ana reduced: Inc uelenuahG was convicted
on the 9Th OF April OF receiving stolen goods, know
ing them to be stolen, and was sentenced TO pay
fine OF $500 and to undergo an Imprisonment OF three
years, the maximum punishment provided by lawfOr
the O1ense.
This, like a similar sentence at the last term, was
imposed from the conviction that no class OF crlm-
mails are more deserving OF punishment than re-
ceivers of stolen goods. Since the conviction OF
MetZgar strong pressure has been brough, to bear
Court has afforded every opportunity for the defen
dant to present everything which could possibly
bear upon his case. The facts or the case as dis
closed upon the trial were, substantially, that in
March last three burglaries were committed, and
A portion OF this was taken to Metzgar, who
applied an acid test, and numSer OF plated spoons
and FORKS y ere broken up by him and thrown down
the sink When arrested Metzgar denied all knowl-
edge of the goods, but the broken articles were
found IN the SINK py the OIncer, with the owners
name still upon them. On the strong evidence pro-
duced the jury very properly convicted the defen
evidence OF good character. The additional evidence
OF good character produced since ind
Gates that the defendant has hitherto
borne good reputation for honesty
among a certain class Of people, who knew him only
as a tavern.keeper and dealer in cigars but am
equally Satisfied that all this tmeat least for seve
raj years-he has been leading double life one as
tavernkeeper and the other as receiver Of stolen
goods. Tn, re is no class OF criminals against whom
the law should he enforced with more inheXio ole
hrmness than receivers of stolen goods. While they
abound il our midst, 1t is rare that the law can
reach them, SO generally and erectuaiiy are they
shielded and protected by their associates in
crime. But for the facilities which they anSrd
in the sale OF stolen property would be but few
burglars and thieves. There is not burglar in tue
pententiary but will say tnat but for the receivers
they could not ply their calling successfully, aud
the number Of boys ami young men who are en-
couraged in crime by receivers is incalculable. In
view OF all these things do no less than mete
out to such persons, when convicted, the severeSE
penalties OF the law.
Feeling as do the most profound pity for the
family OF this unfortunate man, consider that the
interests of justice and the protection OF society
imperatvely require that his sentence should stand
Severe though it may be, it is but proper Judgment
upon righteous verdict. Rule discharged.
Grand Jury Presentment.
The Grand Jury having completed their labors,
made their final presentment TO the court They
have acted upen Se2 bills of which 26s returned
as true bills and 90 were ignored. The Grand Jury
stereeyped visits TO public institut 5ns and were
discharged from further attendsp ;e. Among the
DllS EEey nave ignored were one t-BSlHSt william
Bum, charging him with Gining money by frau
dulent ana false means, and one against Robert
Fox, charged upon the oath Of ohm H. Taggart with
keeping theatre without license In this latter
case the Grand Jury Ignored tue bill and put the
costs upon MIR. Taggart notwithstanding the fact
that the City Treasurer went before them and tesn
fed that Mr.. F0x had not license at the time the
charge was preferred.
The FOx-Taggart libel.
Messrs. John d. TsggarG and Henry L.. Taggart
publishers OF the Sunday Times, court to re
ceiVe sentence upon their conviction of libel agains
Robert Fox. Mr.. John II. Taggart addressed the
CouIt, saying he desired 70 interpose no delay IL
the nal disposition OF his he admitted that the
publication OF the article In question wreng an(
ubjustihable; he regretted 1t very much, and mai,
assurance that he would not again be led into a k,
error but he had been grieyousy provoked 10 1t bl
the prosecutor. However, he was ready te submit
himself TO the judgment OF the Court, saying tina
his son had no hand whatever in the matter.
Judge Peir0e reminded the defendant that news
paper publishers had not the right TO sit In judg
ment upon mans private acts and character anC
when they did 30 they made themselves amenaol,
70 the criminal law He imposed upon John Ii
Taggart fine OF 500 and costs, and upon Henry l.
Tsggart nne OF 500 and costs.
The large and intelligent black dog belong
ing to the Providence Police Department
knewn as "Dan," is a valuable animal, and Il
said to have been the means of saving the live
of no less than i've persons since becoming th'
pTOEeTty OF the CITY.