The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-10-21
WESTERYELT'S SENTENCE.
SEPEN YEA RS IN THE PEAITENTE-
AIRY and 4 FINE or VI AND
COS1S-JUDGE ELCOCK'S RE-
MARKS 10 THE PRISONER

MARKS 10 THE PRISONER.
PHILADELPHIA, 0d. ,l0,-Yesterday
sentence was passed on William IL.
Weslervelt, convicted Of "conspiring
with William Mosher and Joseph Doug
lass and others TO kidnapand carry away
and after the abduction to harbor, cou-
ccal and detain, the child Charles Brew
slcr Ross" 1t was not generally known
that he was to he sentenced, and only Il
few spectators were present, In announ-
cling the penalty Of TIE law to him, Judge
Elcock assured the prisoner that he
had been ably and devotedly defended,
and that perfectly fair trial had been
given him. He then said:
had hoped ere this l should have
been appealed to for Il light sentence by
SOME mercliul cry, revealing something
of the flle uf Charley Ross, but | have
heard not even whisper nor beheld Il
ray OF hope, anu ilthe knowledge OF his
fate rests with you, then you become
your own CXecuIioner. Justice calls
loudly Tor rOuic severe punishment, and
II remains but for me 10 annUunCc its
sentence. by an act OF Assembly OF 26ih
Of February, 1873, the kidnapping OF II
enid under ~ years Of age, Is made Il
felony, and punishable by a fine not eX.
cerdiug SlO,U00 and an Imprisonment ui
not more than 25 years, llarborms and
conctullng II Child II likewise made Il lel-
ony, and punishable by tine not TX
&c, dung 81, 900 and an imprisonment moi
exceeding ID years, THIS act was passed
Since the commission Of your offence,
and there was no evidence III the cause
wnicn would justify Il punishment us tu
yon of harburlng and cpnCeallng thc
child, or OF conspiracy 10 do 81, since the
passage Of the aCl. The section OF tie
penal code act of March, 1860, relating
10 conspiracy, which iullicts Il punish
ment Of fine not exceeding S5UO and an
imprisonment not exceeding Two yeaIs
docs not apply to your cast.
The iurclOiu abduction Ufa child by
the Jewish law was punished by death
lEXod. xxi, chap. lGl, rs it was by The
civli law, and by the common law ol
England 10y Il fine, imprisonment and
The pillury. 1t was deemed It hrinouS
crime, because IL banlshcd the person
from his country, and deprived the KING
ofhis subject, lis III this case 1t dcpriNes
the commonwealth OF her citizen 1t is
therefore more than the offence contem
plated by the acl Of March Il, 1860, scc
l21. BY sGC. lis Of the same act (peEai
codc) every felony, mIsdeneanOr, or Of.
tense whatever not specially provided
for by this act, is punishable as thereto
lore BY act of Assembly OF the 10th
April, 1880, the punishment Oi aIIcrlmes
hot capital for which Il burning
in the hand, mailing the ear or ears tt
the pilIoly, placingln or upon the pl'lo'
rs, whipping, AID Imprisonment for life
were inflicted, were changed 10 "
solitary imprisonment, at hard LABOR, lul
Il term not exceeding two years. By al
act OF Assembly Of April /, 1907, the pun
ishneuU was extended to an lmprlsUn'
ment Tot exceeding seven years, and by
decisions ol our Supreme Court the pun
iahmgut iOr conspiracy TO commit an o.
lrnse caunOt exceed that for the sucrcSs'
fui y, ijn,ratiou oi ihe ,alne ullense, You
are, therefore punishable under Ilc acl
ltol cited.
The sentence Of the Court is that you
pay Il fine of S. the costs Of prosecution
aud hat yon undergo an imprisonment
at SOLITARY confinement at hard labor III
the Eastern Penleniiary for the term OF
seven years, and that You stand commit
ted until that sentence Is cumpIlcc Win
Wcstcvcl listened with the deepest
interest, aud us ne heard the words "Scr'
en years" he bent forward ANA shooh
like ;raf Leaning his head upon his
hands he began 20 cry. Mr.. Ford lrco
to cheer him, but his consolatory words
were of lillle avail,