Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-11-27

The routine procedure OF the Criminal Court
of Baltimore WAS varied yesterday Afternoon
By very interesting episode. \ n1au giving
the maze Of George Barton was brought from
Jail aud placed 10 the prisoners dock on trial
for the theft Of pair Of pants, valued at 50. 30,
from Joseph Brnnncr, Pratt and Frederick
streets. lie had been arrested by the polio,
while intoxicated, aud the pants, with Brcn.
ner $ card on them, being loud 10 his posses:
sl0u, Bremen WAS sent Tor. lie had not SOLD
them to Barton, whom he had never seen be-
fore, aud Barton being unable TO account l1r
them properly Tas presented Tor the larceny
He had no cCuase!, and SAID Gil the courts ~
uuiry that he did not went any. He asked no
Questions Of he Witnesses. On being asked by
Judge Brown If he had anything To sag he re
piled he had. Advancing 10 position 10 !roat
Of the clerks d2sA he rejected the offer to
swear him, saying he tad no cPIdGDrc 70 give.
lie was dressed IicanIy, VAS aeariy siy lcc'
tall, with !. sl.gLt scoop CT ID" shoulders,
features s!rons, hair onl beard dark. lie said ::
"Thii is most painful position for Gle, your
honor, to stand before 4 court CT justice charged
with an act so degrading az their. AS little AZ
any one did / orco thin: ever 10 be 20 shamed.
For Only four years AGO was Al honored mem
her Of 4 bar 10, r1dstinguished fur ability IN
another State. ilow have fallen this d"sra-
datian indicating ty a gesture his poSl'lon)
aud lhes. rags thoding cut his arns) vi
show. They are hc elects OF In!empcrance.
| well know intux cation Is no excuse 10 law Tor
rrlnr. i:ut The essence Of c;mlnaIiiy Is lha
inicnt an tGtally allivions in regar;! TO Ia :
act | know not when, nar where, nor IS
whom / was arrested Could nave intended.
the Il, ia d., The acs! Ii courts are Instituted
nat aane 10 find DAT the truth and TO putlsh
tn. gully, bat 10 SUI :ad and restrain, they
must leave narrow rules and advance 10 broader
principles; the spirit 0i the Law rather than us
letter must he their arlmatlng prlEclpl,. II
this e0ur; Is administered IN that spirit | may
again l., permitted 10 enter thi.:a Fields 81 eN-
crlon and enterprise WHERE ! may rcclothG
myself wth the homer and respect 0! my fellow
men. Tor whatever nay b. the cui Of tbs Mat
ter, have resolved Ecvtr again 10 degrade my
mauhooi by ntoxication. In this presence |
rep2at anl renew the pledge Ct reform had
mad. to myself. vii! devote my manhood
and my cid age to winning again the honor, re-
spect, love, friends and position once held.
[ will pursue again the paths and the steps
that lead to good repute and happiness.
But conviction means something very diff
ferent from these hopes. Conviction means not
imprisonment onlg. 1t means shame and run
Of lfe Every hope oil rehabii,atiog life
will be vain. The brand will be on me. Every
avenue Of honest Industry will be closed 10 me.
Nowhere can escape the stigma. /! take
the wings Of the morning and fly to the utter.
most parts OF the earth, it will follow me. II
for brief space secure 10 obscurity it will still
ever hang like tho sword CT Damocles over my
head. All how hungry the world is to catch
up the evil reports that blackcD mems names.
| ask net Tor pity, but only that way may
again be opened for mans restoration to SELF
respect, friends and home once more.
The man tones were touching and his man.
Ger clcyuent. While he spoke The auditory
was spclbounl Judge Brown was 50 much
affected that Tor some moments he could not
articulatc. He called the prosecuting witness
and States attorney, and after q few words
with them told Barton stet would be entered
by consent Of all parties and he could 60. The
clerks, bafs and others who listened to the
man appeal were also some Of them affected
10 tears. They made up purse Tor Barton to
take him homo. He had been in Jail ffty-six
days. 1t is not probable that he gave his right
name, but no one knew what his name was,
and all wished him every success in his new
formed resolution. Sun Of SATURDAY,.