The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-12-14
A uching ana Successful Plea.
o,,v

The routine proceedings of the Grim
inal Court of Baltimore was varied yes
terday afternoon by a very interesting
episode. A man giving the name Of
George Barton was brought from Jail
and placed in the prisoners dock on
trial for the theft of a pair of boots, val
ued at three dollars and half, from Jc-
seph Brenner, Pratt and Frederick
Streets. He had been arrested by the
police while intoxicated, and the pants,
with Brenner's card on them, being
found in his possession, Brenner was sent
for. He had not sold them to Barton,
whom he had never seen before, and
Barton being unable to account for them
properly he was presented fer the lar
ceny. He had no counsel and said on
the courts inquiry that he did not want
any. He asked no questions of the wit.
nesses. On being asked by Judge Brown
if he had anything to say he replied he
had. Advancing to a position in front
of the clerks desk he rejected the offer
to swear him, saying he had no evidence
to give. He was dressed meanly, was
nearly six feet tall, with a slight stoop
of the shoulders, features strong, hair
and beard dark. He said
This is most degrading position for me,
your Honor, to stand before court of jus.
tice charged with an act so degrading as
theft. As little as any one did once think
ever to be so shamed, for only four years
ago was an honored member of bar not
undistinguished for ability in another State.
How l have fallen this degradation (indi-
eating by a gesture his postion) and these
rags (holding out his arms) will show. They
AkA AAa anto NJ s~xA II aU
know intoxication is no excuse in law for
me. But the essence OF criminality Is the
intent. am totally oblivious in regard to
this act. know not when, nor where, nor
by whom was arrested. Could have in.
tended, then, to do this act? II courts are
instituted not alone to find out the truth and
to punish the guilty, but to amend and re.
strain, they must leave narrow rules and ad.
| vance to broader principles; the spirit OF
the law rather than its letter must be their
animating principle. II this court is admin.
istered in that spirit may again be per.
mitted to enter those fields Of exertion and
| enterprise where 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
| I repeat and renew the pledge of reform
had made to myself. will devote my man.
hood and my old age to winning again the
honor, respect, love, friends, and position
once held. 1 will pursue again the paths
and the steps that lead to good repute and
| happiness. But conviction means something
| very different from these hopes. Conviction
| means not imprisonment only. II means
shame and ruin of life. Every hope of re.
habilitating life will be vain. The brand
will be on me. Every avenue of honest in.
dustry will be closed to me. Nowhere can
escape the stigma. II take the wings of
the morning and fly to the uttermost parts
| OF the earth IL will follow me. IL for q brief
space secure in obscurity IL will still ever
hang like the sword of Damocres over my
head. All, how hungry the world is to
catch up the evil reports that blacken mems
nsmesl ! ask not for pity, but only that q
way may again be opened for mans
restoration to self-respect, friends, and
home once more.
The mans tones we're touching and
his manner eloquent. While he spoke
the auditory was spell-bound. Judge
Brown was so much affected that for
some moments he could not articulate.
He called the prosecuting witness and
States attorney, and after few words
with them told Barton stet would be
entered by all parties and he could 60:
The clerks, bailiffs and others who heard
the mans appeal were some OF them AT
fected TO tears. They made up purse
for him TO take him home. He had
been in Jail fifty.six days. 1t is not
probable that he gave his right name
and all wished him every success in hi,
pew-formed resolution.