New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-27
The CrOnan ArsOn-Periury.Ca Cases.

| EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:
A communication from Mr.. L. Cronan
| with particular reference to his residence
| No. 42S Erato street, appeared in the Times
| of Saturday, addressed to Roundabout
| The necessity Ofsaying something probably
| caused the editorial reference to the Attor-
ney General instead of the waste basket.
Mr.. L. Cronan can easily learn, by inquiry
| OF those better informed, that the Attorney
| General has no control over district attor-
neys, although he may take charge of any
| case, even the most trivial breach of the
peace, if he 80 pleases. AS he has, how
| ever, the same confidence in District Alto
ney McPhelin the community has. he will
not be likely to trouble himself about this
case. The people of this city know Mr.
McPheiin to be faithful officer doing his
best to serve his client, the State.
Mr.. l.. CrOnan's communication would
have more weight if it indicated the posses
sion OF more knowledge and less personal
bias kor instance, eases are not en-
titled in the criminal courts Duffy VS.
Cronan, but have more potential plaintiff
called the State of Louisiana. An Obser
vance of the rules of grammar would re-
move defect Ia composition near the end
OF the letter, aud consideration OF the
fact that the district attorney is supposed
to know his business would prevent feel
ing of injury if the inquiry when would
he have the case called up did not postpone
all other cases on the docket.
Mr.. l.. CrOnan is also much aggrieved
that other parties than the Dutfys have
been convicted of perjury, though the
Dutfys have not been tried. That is very
true, and the convictions are very credita
BILE to Mr.. McPhelin, for that crime though
most frequently committed is the most diff
cult to punish. 1t is enough for an indict-
ment that two witnesses swear third
swOre falsely, but petty jury must
have great deal more. But an explana-
ton of this would be wasted on Mr.. l.
Cronan.
Mr.. l.. Cronan ought to regret that he
suggests an cumberland" method is neces-
sary to move the machinery of the Criminal
Court, for going privately to the district
attorney to know "when he would have the
case called up' is about as much as any
prosecuting officer ought to stand from a
citizen of intelligence, and the reply, if he
gave it, that he had not thought OF it, was a
very mild reproof to such question.
The trouble with Mr.. l.. Cronan is plainly
this. He is not content with the honorable ac
quit1aI the jury gave him in the face of the
testimony of Duffy, Gallagher and others,
but considers they have injured him. With
them OF old time, he would have the eye for
eye and tooth for tooth. SO our law says he
shall have, but in the Criminal Court the
State is to be considered and not the private
prosecutor. The parties may be guilty in
the opinion of the district attorney, but he
should not put the State to the expense OF
trial without the strongest evidence, and
certainly should not be influenced by pri-
vate dictatiOn.
But Mr.. l.. Cronan has apother-the
civil-remedy for damages The Fourth
Court is his proper arena. and there he
can lay on his personal feelings as thick as
he likes. He can be sure of an impartial
hearing through and strict ruling under the
law. for Judge Lynch hates liar as much
as he does an opponent of the civil rights
bill. 1t will be d much more consistent
course for Mr.. l., Cronan than that of
abusing the officer who now has the case in
charge, and whose privilege it is to exercise
discretion in the matter. ALPHA.