Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-24
THE COUREs

CRIMINAL CoURT.-Most of the day
was consumed in motions and hearing bills
Of exceptions.
In the case of the State vs.. Charles W.
Goodrich, accused of assault with intent
TO kill, the prisoner was released from Jail
on bond.
After disposing of numerous motions,
the court adjourned for the term, and the
minutes will be signed during the week.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT CoURT.-This
court adjourned yesterday until the next
regular term. The only case Of import
ance yesterday was that Of thu United
States vs. CIuue, indicted for the withhold
ing of pension money from the widows of
deceased c0lored soldiers. The defendent
was indicted under sections six and seven
Of the act Of 1864, presenting the penalty
of $500 ana Imprisonment for one year
where an agent is found guilty Of such
charge rs above indicated. The amount Of
pensions 50 withheld was embraced in nine
different cases upon which % many charges
were made out, and the defendant
found guilty, alike of each at a former
term Of this court, which holding in reserve
motion in arrest Of Judgment and refusing
4 new trial yesterday, Ovsrruled said mo
lion and sentenced the defendant to fine
of $500 and Imprisonment, a. .tzrd labor
Tor one year in the penitentiary.
The counsel for the defense was OK Gov.
Neil S. Brown srd ay-Chancallor East,
while Judge H0racs II. Harrison appeared
for the prosecution. The argument on both
sides was very strong, and most ingenious,
showing that each attorney had given the
subject much thought and analysed so IS
10 grasp severely every principle Of law and
the application of all analogous proceed
i0gs. The defense, 10 speak briefly, con-
tended that sections and under which
the indictment was framed
If the act of 1862, had
been subsequently repealed by sections II
aud u Of the oct of 1864, which latter be-
.irg. ~ force sbare PrevieuE to the tine d.
.tnG..IIt was cfszrcoG, Cs.+;-i eTS-l~ - no s'>
under which the prisoner could be indicted.
Tho prosecution held otherwise, and was
sustained b. his Honor Judge Cona1ly r.
TIi-g, whose opinion was clear and elab-
afaie presentation OF tho law aud the rela-
iiv g scope of the respective sections Of the
Nv o aCis. We have seldom heard an eluci-
dAIiOn from any judge characterized by such
brevi.y, satisfaction aud thorough compre-
hension Of the subject matter. The Judge
in reviewing the case, stated that he we'll
remembered the evidence at the trial, and
while satisfied that the prisoner at the Ear
was guilty Of Withholding money in all Of
the nine cases, still he would add only that
punishment due in one. While, as urged
by counsel, the defendant could and would
pay up $4,000, yet inssmuch 40
such had been Withheld from the
ignorant, helpless, and yet coDfding
persons, the ends of justics would be better
attained, the law more figidly vipdicated
and the government not the less satisfied by
the guilty one undergoing the imprison-
ment, Hence the sentence viii be carried
Cut and CluIe either placed in the Tennes-
see penitentiary, if no objection be made by
The tbate authorities, il which event the
Secretary of the Interior, By virtue OF pow
ers now vested in him, will make necessary
SRA 1gemepts for his confinement else
where. Judge Trlgg, in prononncing SEN
teuce, was affected AID WINS 40 aeenhgs
were deeply touched, bis official obligations
rendered sucn sentence necessary.