Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-12-16
AN EPISODE INCOURT.

1 " y, lOUCIIISG AND SUCCESSFUL ILEA.,
The routine procedure of the CIimi-.
nal Court of Baltimore was varied yes
terday afternoon by a very interesting
episode. A man giving the. uame of
George Barton was brought from jail
and placed in the prisoners dock on
trial for the theft of pair of pants val
ued at $3.50, from Joseph Barton, Pratt
and Frederick streets. He had been
arrested by the police while intoxicated,
and the pants, with Breuners card on
being found in his possession, Bremen
was sent for. He had not sold them to
Barton, whom he had never seen before,
aud Barton being unable to account for
them properly he was presented for the
larceny. He had no counsel, and said
on the courts inquiry that he did not
want any. He asked no questions OF
the witnesses. On being asked by Judge
Brown if he had anything to say he re-
piled that he had Advancing to a po-
sition in front of the clerks desk he re-
jected the offer to swear him, saying he
had no evidence to give. He was dress
ed meanly, was nearly six feet tail, with
a slight stoop OF the shoulders, features
strong, hair and beard dark. lie said :;
''This is a most painful position for
ME, your honor, TO stand before a court
OF justice charged with an act so degra-
ding as theft. AS little as any one, did
/ once, think, ever to be ashamed. For
only four years ago | was an honored
member of bar not uudistinguished
for ability in another State. How l
have fallen this degradation Gndicating
by q gesture his position) aud these rags
lholdiug out his arms) will show. They
are the effects OF intemperance. | well
know intoxicatio is no excuse in law
for crime. But the essence of criminal
ity is the intent. ] am totally oblivious
in regard TO this act. | know not when,
nor where, nor by whom | was arrested.
Could have intended, then, to do the
act If courts are instituted not alone
to find out the truth and 10 punish the
guilty, but to amend and restrain, they
must leave narrow rules and advance TO
broader principles /; the spirit of the law
rather. than its letter must be their ami
mating principle. If this court is ad-
ministered in that spirit / may again be
permitted to enter those fields of exer-
tion and enterprise where l may reclothe
myself with the honor and respect of
my fellow men, for whatever may be
the end of this matter, | have resolved
never again to degrade my manhood by
intoxication. In this presence | repeat
aud renew the pledge of reform had
made to myself. l will devote my man
hood and my old age to winning again
the honor, respect, love, friends and po-
sition l once held | will pursue again
the paths and the steps that lead TO good
repute and happiness. ..J
"But conviction means something
very different from these hopes. Con
viction means not imprisonment only.
1t means shame and ruin of a life. Ev-
cry hope of rehabiltating a life will be
vain. The hand will be on me. Every
avenue of honest industry will be closed
to me. Nowhere can l escape the
stigma. If l take the wings of the
morning and fly to the utmost parts OF
the earth it will follow me. If for q
brief space secure in obscurity il will
still ever hang like the sword of Damo-
cles over my head. All how hungry
the world is to catch up the evil reports
that blacken mems names. | ask not
for pity. but only that way may again
be opened for mans restoration to
selfrespect, friends and a home once
more. ..y s. Zen yf...'..o CD, -.ly
The mans tones were touching and
his manners eloquent. While he spoke
his auditory were spell-bound. Judge
Brown was so much affected that tor
some moments he could not articulate.
He called the prosecuting witness and
States attorney, and altar few words
with them told Barton stet would be
entered by consent of all parties and he
could 20. The clerks, bailiffs and 9TH
ers VINO listened to the mans appeals
were also some of them affected to tears.
They made up purse for Barton to
take him home, He had been in jail
tifty-si1 days. 1t is not probable that
he gave his right name, but no one
knew what his name was, and all wish
ed him every success in his new formed
resolution.-Bah. Sun, Nov. 26. .'l