The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-04-08
OUR KNOXVILLE LETTER.

AN INTERESTING ACCOONA OE LIE
PROCEEDINGS IN THE UNITED STATES
COURT AGAINST THE COUNTERFEIT
ERs-PUBLIC APPROVAL OF THE
FINDINGS OF THE COURT AND AN
ENDORSEMENT OF THE CHRONICLES
SURPRISE THAT ALL THE DdPLICA-
TED WERE NOT PUNIsHED-soME
VERY PERTINENT INQUIRIES.
Knoxville, March 81, 1874.
To the Editor of the Morristown Gazette:
Not having much to do in the
shop, l sauntered into the Federal
Courtroom, where Judge Emmons
was disposIng of the counterfeit cul-
prits. Nearly all of them submitted
to the mercy of the court, and, the
court was indeed merciful.
Nicholas Sharp, of Union county,
Sc odd Nick a cognomen by which
he was more generally known, es-
peciaIly among those of the clan,
was one of the submissive, asking
for clemency. It is said that the
Judge interviewed him before he
pronounced his sentence. Nick in
formed the Judge that he had been
in the business a long time, and had
been before the State courts on the
charge of counterfeiting. His Honor
wondered that he had not been con-
victed when the proof was so plen-
ary. Nick told the innocent Judge
how he played his cards in the State
courts. His game was to procure n
continuance the first term this done,
he considered his case o7ae-third
qained. He then shufffed for a Sec
ond continuance, succeeding in
which he considered his case ttUo.
thirds better than at first. A third
continuance was, of course, harder
to obtain but, maneuvering, and a
little money, always won; and the
third point made he had no more
fear of conviction.
Prosecutor or witnesses die, or
get out of the way, and the public
interest abates, and the criminal
goes free to renew his depredations
on the people.
Such is substantially and almost
circumstantially the history of State
trials of notable offenders against
the law. Judge Emmons comments
on such administration Of justice by
so-called courts, was as withering as
it was we'll timed, and we'll warrant
ed.
Tt would have been well for the
country, if our small fry Judges
could have heard him; they would
at1east have looked as small, and as
smashed up, as the lawyers did,
when he exposed in uncompliment-
arv terms their Vaccinations in the
fiimsy affidavits which they read
to him for continuances.
Us outsiders delight in these cas-
LEGATIONS of lawyers who do not
scruple to mislead the lesser lights
of the bench and in the State courts
have things all their own way.
"Old Nick" being the :" bell
wether" of the herd, went in lem
ons,'' and all the others followed
suit.
The friends of George W. Weaver
and his son-in-law, Harper, express
much regret at their great misfortune
If nv information is correct, from
those who know them, they are mer
who stood well. 1t is said that Geo
Weaver was, until since the
close of the war, one of the best
citizens of the county. But
further comment may be distastefnl
to their friends and I do not design
to wound the feelings of any enc
Their term of punishment is light
but it is believed that al the object
the law has in Furnishing offenders
will be accomplished light as it is
Thus far the enforcement of law,
and the administration of justice in
s.Uncle Sans court has giving
general satisfaction.
Judge, jury, and the Government
prosecuting attorneys, all and sing
ular, we're the theme Of commenda
ton, congratulation and praise. Th'
people, who love law, and order, anC
fair dealing. are more openmouthet
in appreciation of what they though
would be breaking up of counter
feiting and Of kindred villainies. anC
in making new departure in meet
ing out to criminals the just reward
Of their deeds, and by SO doing main
tain good government. Men fel
better because they saw that Law
was to be supreme, and lawlessnes
must be suppressed.
In the midst of these rejoicings
| it was announced that the entire roI
of offenders would not be called
that some of them would be reserv
ed. Suspicion was at once aroused
Is it possible that the net has caugh
some of the pets of the officials
Has the Government fayoFites VIII,
have fallen into this snarcG