South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-12-08
An Episode in Court-A Touch
ing and Successful Plea.

Tho routine prece.lurc Of the Grimm.
nj Court OF Baltimore Was varied yester
day after noon by . very Interesting
episode. A man giving the name OF
George Barton was brought from Jail
aud placed in the prisoners dock on
trial for the theft Of pair OF pant
valued at $3.50, from Joseph Brcnner,
Pra.t and Frederick streets. ire had
been arrested by the police while intox-
icatcd, and tho pants. With Isrcnncr's
carl on them being fonn. in his poses
sion. Brenner was sent for. lie had not
solh them 70 Barton, whom he llat new.
or seen before, aud Barton being unable
20 account for them properly he was
presented for the larceny. lie had no
counsel. and said on the court , Inquiry
TINT he did not want any. lie asked
no questions Of the witnesses. On be.
ivy asked by Judge Brown il he had
anything to say he replied he hail. AZ.
vancing to q position in front OF the
clerks desk b, rejected the offer to
swear him. saying he had no evidence
- give. lilo was dressed mcanly. was
nearly six feet tall. with q slight stoop
OF the shoulders, features. strong. hair
and beard dark. lie said; ~
This is most painful position for
me. your honor, to; stand before q court
OF justice charged With an act so dcgrad.
ing as thefl. As littlo as any one, did
once, think, ever to be SO shamed. For
only four years ago was an honored
member of q bar not undistinguished
for ability in another State How Ihaye
fallen this degradation Indicating by -
gesture his position) and these rags
lholding ont his arms) will show. THEY
are the effects of intemperancc. / we'll
know intoxication is no excuse in law
Tor crime. But the essence of criminal.
ity is the intent. am totally obliyious
in regard to this act / know not.when,
nor where, nor by whom was arrested.
Couli have intended, then,to do the act.
1t courts are Instituted not alone to find
out the truth and to punish the guilty,
but to amen and restrain, they must
leave marrow rules AMI. advance 10
broader principles the spirit or the law
rather than its letter must be their ami.
mating principle. If this court is AL.
mnistered in that spirit may again be
permitted TO enter those fields Of exer
ton aTd enterprise where may rcclothc
myself with the honor anil respect Of
my fellow men, for whatever may DO tho
cnd OF this matter, have resolved ncy.
er again To degrade my manhood bv
mtoxication. In this presence / repeat
and renew the pledge of reform I had
made to myself I will devote my man.
hood and my old age to winning again
the honor, respect. love, friends and DO.
sition once held. l will pursue again
the paths and the steps that lead TO good
repnte and happiness.
"But conviction means something
very different from those hopes. Con.
viction means not Imprisonment only.
1t means shame anil ruin Of life. Ev.
cry hope OF reliabilitating life will be
vain. The hand will be OIL me. Ev
cry avenue of honest industry will
be closed to me-. Nowhere can !
escape the stigma. If 7, take the wings
OF the morning and fiy to the utmos,
parts OF the earth it will follow ME. r.
Tor 2 brief space secure in obscurity it
viii still ever hang like the sword OF
Damocles over my head. All, how
hnngry the world is to catch MP the evil
reports that blacken mems names.
ask not for pity, but only that way
may again be opene,l for mars restor.
alton to sef-respect, friends and q home
once MORE
The mans tones were touching aud
his manners eloquent. While he spoke !
the auditory was speIl.bound. Judge
Brown was so much affected that for
some moments he could not articulate 1
lie called the prosecuting witness and |
States attorney. and after few words |
with them told Barton.a stet would be |
entered by consent Of all parties AID he !
could so. The clerks, baiiihs and others /
who listened To the mans appeals were !
also some of them affected to tears. -
ihey made up purse for Barton TO !
take him home. lie had been in iail |
hfty.six days. 1t is not probable that
he gave his right mare, but no one knes I
what his name was. and all wished him |
every success I'm his new formed reso. !
luton, - Baltimore SHh, Nor. %. d.
--1------. - l---l----Ll ,r r
IR'It IS about time that tho people
were looking around, The election of
two United State Senators will take
place this winter, provided We have
government There are scyerni Drotni.