Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-15
Thomas c. Boyd, Sentenced TO
the PenitentiaFY for Five
Years, and Fined $1,000.
rom lie Knoxyille Chronicle

4 -AAo lNSNSH
From the Knoxville Chronicle
Tlamediately after the opening of
thg court, the defendant, Thomas
G.. Boyd, was brought in by Deputy
Marshal Clingan. He took his ac-
cugtOmed seat a little in rear of and
between his counsel, Messrs. Nelson |
and Cooke, with whom he at onc9
entered into conversation, speaking
in his usually quiet manner, and Oc-
caionally smiled while talking.
His face was of marble paleness,
while his ewes were very bright, and
as he looked around the courtroom
the beholders could not fail to OBJ
serve the appearance of hollowness
in his features, which appeared al
m)st haggard.
After taking his seat Judge En-
mems asked the defendants counsel
if hey were readyI
Col. Cooke replied that they were,
but he wished to know if the sub
mission of his client in the five
cases adduced in collateral evidence
would be considered a confession OF
guilt in the other cases pending
against him, or would they be dis
posed of by nOlle prOSeQui!
The Attorney-General said that
he had no power to do so, or even
recommend that it be done, the
matter being out of his province.
Judge Nelson said that Judge An
drews was correct, and he readily
understood his position. The court
could either OYerrule the motion
for new trial or he would with
draw it and enter plea of ''guilty"
in the five eases alluded to above to
be entered of record.
Judge Emmons then oYerruled
the motion-of Mr.. Nelson for new
trial, and stated that if the impris-
onment was for one year only or
less, the defendant could not be re-
moved from the jail where he was
now confined, but in this particular
case it would be different. The sem
tence of the court was then passed,
the prisoner being allowed to re-
main seated while listening to the
dread penalty, which read as fol-
lows:
TIE SENTENCE.
1t is not unusual for courts to ac-
company their judgment in cases
like this with detailed statements of
the circumstances of the crime for
which punishment is to be inflicted,
sometimes associated with repri-
mands for the past and admonitions
for the future. They are frequent
lv intended more for the public than
the prisoner. The usual motive is
to attract attention TO the fortunate
fact that, however cunningly de
vised, oifenses are not committed
with impunity; and thus, arrest as
far as possible ali who are contem-
plating crime. No effort to enhance
your own appreciation of the mag
nitude and gravity of your wrongs
is necessary. With an intelligence
beyond that of the average of your
fellow-citizeRs, it is quite impossi-
BILE that the turpitude involved in
the continuous commission OF the
numerous frauds, perjuries, ferge-
ries and corruptions of public Off
GERS, so amply exposed by the proof,
is not so fully realized by you as by
either Judge upon the bench. Low,
if not before, you must feel, with
an exceptional force, the anguish
resulting from having brought dis
i grace upon your hitherto respect
able family. 1t is not that disgrace
alone which is inseparable from the
criminality of one of its leading
and influential members, but by
connecting the names OF relatives,
| friends and neighbors frequently,
with the instrumentalities of your
own crimes, clouds at least are rest
ing upon some of them. They are
to pass through the ordeal which
| has not spared YOU. We will not
4 do YOU the injustice of suppOsing it
needs a suggestion from US to ava
/ ken all he sorrow which even the
worst of men must feel for those
whom he has subjected to suspicion
and public prosecution. If beyond
| this, they. too. are guilty, it can but
add to your regret that you led
! them into temptation. 1t is not
/ with an unfecling desire TO increase
your dependency now that we re-
| fer to these more affecting cOnse-
/ quences of your wrongs, but for a
! wider purpose. y large audience
| has witnessed your exciting trial,
and many are here to listen 10 your
] sentence. You will pardon the
temporary pain it may cause, If the
! occasion is improved to ask their
! earnest attention and lasting remem-
brance 10 the lesson which your sad
history affords.
You. we know, will authorize US
to say that from the first moment
YOU entered upon their commission,
/ these crimes have left YOU no peace
of mind. We should all know this
without confession on yGur part.
Ii is but an ignorant and vulgar
Judgment which sees in the bold
fictions and desperate resorts which
attended your flight, but additional
evidences OF iusensibility and indif-
ference to crime. We read its lesson
differently. No man but one suffer
ING from a fear. a continuous unrest
and mental pain which he could not
endure, would voluntarily attempt
the complicated crimes by which
you sought to cover your escape
The corruption of new accOmpliceS
the robbery of the grave, the pre-
tense of assassination and murder
: the subornation of false witnesses
the disgusting and repulsive burn
. inc the half-decayed body of Negro
that YOUR family and friends Nigh
follow il to the grave aud your poo
, | wife weep over il as that OF he
, dead husband. the mockery of fu
neral, the deliberate suggestion Ol
, | the record OF your death that tn
q Government might be still furthe
defrauded, constitute an aggregat
, of repulsive incidents from whicl
every man would shrink If he wer
: not Goaded to desperation and sui
, farinG in excess. And we beg al
who relate the exciting story o
YOUR numerous O1enses, when tn
. details of those complicated an
! bold frauds which constitute III
o foundation Of the twenty-seven i'll
I dictmeuts against you now upO
4 our records, and the still NOR
o numerous crimes which an impOliti
+ and unenlightened statute OF limi
: tations OF twenty-four month
p places beyond the laws reach, ar
o related, that they in no wise forge
o TO accompany il with the fact tina
4 sorrow. unmitigated, came alike
: the leader and his coadjutOrs; an
that they would, one and all, Tesig
not ONLY what they have dishonest
e taken, but all else they have o
g earth, could they wipe from I'll
: slate Of the past SIN years every di.
! honest act against the Government
n In view OF this extraordinary histt
n rv we have felt embarrassed [
. iustifv to the public the seemingl
e IfGht punishment of five years il
10 generation in the State penitentiar
and a fine Of five thousand dollar