New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-02
d CARD.

MIR. PARTON AND FALsEHooD IN THE DAILY PRESS
In the July number of Hdrper'S appears
long article by Parton entitled Falsehood IN the
Daily Press" in which Mr.. Parton conveys a decided
impression OF his that the columns OF the daily
paper nowadays are made up largely Of exaggeratons
so gross majority OF cases, as to come fairly within
the definition "ies." The instance which seemsto be
the basis OF the article aud which calls forth MI Par
toms most deDunciatOn is the conduct OF the
representatives Of the Metropolitan Press who ATTENDED
professionally the execution of Lusgnania Morristown.
N j. May I5 1873 The charges against these reporters
are grossly untrue that THE TRIBUNE reporter who
furnished the detailed account of this Affair." and whose
name hereto appended, deems 1t only far TO hlnsef
and the journal which he represents to make reply.
Mr. Parton that the reporters spent the even
ing before the execution in drunken that be-
cause they refused admtance TO the Jail at an un
seasonabe time they resolved at indignation meet
inc TO give the Sheriff fits and that IN accordance with
this resolve they false and scandalOus descriptions
of the hanging 10 the journals 10 which they were
attached. statements grossly untrue The
undersigned, who in his life tasted liquor or wine
of any kind, lager beer, certainly participated
IN no carouse did he any species of indulgence
among his companions which could, by stretch Of
imagination be called by that name. The proprietor OF
the hotel who found himself unable TO provide rooms
for all and kindly took four least of the reporters in
Guiding the writer 10 his private residence can probably
testify the general condition OF the salaut Oanu
As for the next mornings exploits which Mr. Parton
SAYS were marvel to the inhabitants of rural Morris
town. they were decOrOusy performed as those Ofthe
previous evening. No " demand" whatever was heard
for admission to the jail reporters did not keep COM
ing up and every few minutes give laundering knocks
at the door," were there heard the arguments,
threats sOrming and swearing, which Mr. Parton says,
resulted the Sheris refusal to open the door,
was there manifestly the defiance of deceney of which
young men a. NJ, demorazed by alcohol, alone
capable" for the unanswerable that they
not demOrazed by alcohol.
Regarding the details of the hanging itself Mr. Parton
makes the most serious charges Of al, denouncing as
having resemblance to the truth the reports OF
the newspaper men, Of which he quotes as exhb
ting the possibilities of fasehOod of riotOus indie
cency to brains weakened and crazed by the fumes OF
alcohol" Since THE TRIBUNE report is one of those
quoted proper that the real facts should be again
told by the writer of it. OF the eight executions
which writer has reported for THE TRIBUNE he has
no hesitation in saying that the hanging OF theIaian at
Morrstown was the most horrible. When Lusignani
brought under the scafOd he found the yard filed with
men who closed around the machine of death with
out much order, some leaning against the uprghts,
some encroacbng the floor of the scaOd itself,
while outside "rural Morrstown" the aspect OF
holiday, and her citizens seeking way
another TO gain admittance TO the " fun"
said. The moment the Italian reached his last
apparent that the rope, end Of which was &C.
cording TO the usual custom, around his neck,
too short to reach the end which danged from the
beam above The Sheriff. pale and agitated and
evidently wishing himself thousand miles away, at
tempted clasp the two ropes and the intense disgust
on all sides, which into "A sensational murmur,
be when IL that the rope ends did not
meet by foot. 1t time for quiet deliberation;
the miserable bungle must be remeded and that
quickly, for the excitement of the Italian was rapidly
increasing. The Sheriff, a TALL angular man. grasped
the ropes and he stood on tptoe with his hands
shaking pulled and strained on them for moment,
ing to make two ropes foot apart meet Impossible
task! Mr. Parton says there was "no excessive excite
ment" aud yet there is the picture, which those who
saw will forget, of piniOned excited young man.
surrounded by horIed faces, and shouting at the top
OF his voice 10 mingled Italian and English, Perdone.
Garibaldi! Me good Catholeek! Me 'fraid to de."
What followedl The Sheriff, now totally unnerved,
cast about him wildly for remedy in Of which
hen with her head cut off would be vivid illustration
box was brought and put behind the criminal who
was all this time singing and passionately kissing the
crucx, and he told to stand upon It, Scarcely had
the words been heard when the italian leaped up back
ward planting both feet simultaneously upon the re-
sounding box, and with his clenched hsts-in one of
them the cruc6x-rased in the air high the rope
around his elbows would permit, shouted again. in ac-
cents that thrilled the nerves and fairly touched the
hearts of those watching his agony, Me no fraid
die! no 'frald TO die!" Then the cap drawn the
swapping black eyes shut forever from the light
and IN moment his part In the terrible drama ceased.
Mr. Parton denies 6aty that a box used or at
least that a soapbox was employed; The kind OF box.
however, being Of little moment. He does not deny
that the rope short, unless denial is included
In the assertion that of these statements o the
uewspapers has any resemblance TO the truth" If he
does deny it, itmust DO presumed that he admits it,
and the question left for him. how the two ropes
olaspedi Manifestly either 1.-THE Italians neck
stretched else the rope elastic Mr. PaSton's
Imagination is.
The bungle Of the Sheriff OF Hudson CouRty was not
yet completed The report in THE TRIBUNE at the time
which Mr.. Parton quotes, declaring 1t false
say that lowing to a buugling arrangement OF the
knot, which the Sheriff ADVISED in whispers several
times to readjust slipped almost under his chin and
tue wretched began those repulsye struggles Of
agony which are sickening to behold"
This was the literal fact To this, and all the other
material statements OF the report writer is prepared
TO make affidavit. GEORGE Z. MILES.
Nep- York. June Is, 1874.