New-York tribune., 1876-02-02
rONTIrT .JOTRN

The conviction of Mr. Mckee is triumph
of Justice, because, although those who OBJ
served the evidence felt morally certain that
he was guilty, it was generally supposed that
he would escape. His prominent position III
politics and in society, his control of widely
circulated journal, and his wealth and age,
were expected to influence the opinions OF the
Jury, or at least of some juIyman, so far that
evidence which would have insured the convic-
ton of man comparatively poor, unknown,
and unfeared, would fail to secure his convic-
ton. This would have been Outrageousy
unjust. Since Mr.. Mckee conspired to
rob the Government, he deserved not
more but much less consideration and SYM
pathy because of his wealth and position,
which should have rendered him mpregnabe
to temptations before which men less fortunate
might have fallen. To acquit him because OF
those very circumstances which made his quit
the greater would have been gross wrong,
and it would have increased that dlstrust OF
the system of trial by jury which many fall-
ures of Justice have contributed to produce.
If rich and influential men were at liberty. by
reason of that system, to violate the laws with
impunity, and Justice had terrors only for the
Door and weak, then indeed trial by jury would
he no longer the bulwark of personal freedom
which it was in earlier days.
Because there has been no moral doubt of
the guilt Of Mr.. Mckee, since the evidence
was made public, the result is an important
triumph OF the jury system. Three OF the
Jury, it is stated, were subscribers to the
paper published by tho accused, but they do
not seem to have been on that account less
competent to decide as to his guilt. Perhaps
their knowledge of the conduct of the paper
helped them to judge whether the accused
had been free from completely with crime.
Very able counsel conducted the defense, and
with marked ability; the testimony on behalf
of the Government was almost wholly obtained
from accOmplices in crime, who were com
PEELED to confess that they had been cheating
and robbing the Government; and the utmost
posslblc use was made of this fact. Under
such circumstances, the verdict Of the jury
will be accepted by the public, although
new trial is demanded on technical exceptions
to the rulings of Judge Dillon.
The effect of this verdict upon public opinion
in political matters will probably prove i'm
portant. Mr.. Mckee was an influential mem
Der of a political combination having its in
fluenc6 Ill several cldttS "S "'ii q" ="
Missouri. HIS paper, protesting to be the Or
gan of the Republican party, has done great
deal to demoraize and corrupt the party at the
West, and its influence for evil is doubtless
well-nigh ended by the conviction OF Its pro-
prietor. 1t does not appear that any transfer
of Mr. McKee's interest was made before the
verdict of the jury was rendered, and II may
not be found easy to transfer it now III such
form as to satisfy the public that old associa-
tions will no longer influence its course. But a
party organ controlled by a convict i'll the
penitentiary will be decidedly new thing un-
der the sun. We have seen more than one
party organ controlled by men who were
fully believed to be criminals. and
it is not to the credit of our civilization that
such papers have in some cases retained a con
siderable influence. But we suppose that an
organ owned by convict can hardly render
party much assistance. Public opinion can
hardly be so demoralized, in any quarter of the
land, that a journal proved to have been es-
tablished as the organ of thieves, conducted
for years as their organ, and controlled by a
man convicted of conspiracy to rob the Gov
ernment, can retain the power to help any
party. That journal, and the set of politicians
who have surrounded and sustained it, ought to
have very little weight in any honest commu-
utv, and none at all in the councils OF party
winch seeks to win the confidence OF honest
and independent voters.