The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-08-02

With slight and unimportant differ
ences of detail, the statement made by
| Mr.. McVicker substantially concurred
with that Of Judge Amber in all the
main features, giving character tothe un-
fortunate transaction and degree Of Grim
inalty to be affixed thereto. His remarks
were short and hurried, and not very
pointed, not conveying to the mind the
impression that in his sestimation the case
was not one ofgravity, requiring any par
ticular severity on the part of the Court, or
any particular exertion on the part Of the
prosecution. He might have called in
witnesses if he desired, in case he sup
posed that the case was more serious
than it appeared from these statements;
the Court would have heard the testimo-
ny even if an adjournment would be-
come necessary.
This, then, was the case as it appeared
before me as Judge, and upon which |
was so suddenly called to act Weigh
ing the facts as related in these state>
ments of the counsel, and accepting them
as true and reliable, deemed it my duty
to sentence the prisoner to be imprisoned
in the penitentiary and Kept at hard
labor for the period of two years. The
law authorizes a sentence in such cases
from one to twenty years, according to
the degree Of crininality characterizing
each case respectively. acted accordN
ing to the facts before me, guided by the
honest convictions of my Judgment and
the dictates of my conscience. was
bound to act upon the professional state
ments of counsel; had no other light or
criterion by which to be governed; and
considering the character and position of
these honorable gentlemen, thought
as still think, that could rely with
confidence on their professional states
ments, men who have been honored by
the people with high and respectable
positions as they repeatedly have been,
had, and still have, the firm conviction,
they could not and would not, deceive the
Court by statements so solemnly made.
This statement make, that if there is
anything wrong in the disposition Of the
case, have no knowledge Of it; and that
if censure is to be attached to the case, it |
may rest where it belongs. Certainly |
there was no case before me, or decided |
by me of character or gravity such as is
represented by the editor Of the Youngs-
town Register and Tribune in the article |
mentioned, or as represented by the |
editor of the Buckeye State, in his paper.
The uncharitable and most foul insin>
uations of both these papers, "that relig- |
ion and politics must have influenced |
the Judge in rendering the sentence" l
will leave to the just appreciation Of
their enlightened readers. Aeide from
the statements made by counsel, both of
whom are leading Republicans, knew
nothing of the man Naughton, and |
knew absolutely nothing about his relig-
ion or politics. Such insinuation can
but be the product of minds having lost
their balance in long continued and Bit
ter partisan warfare; or of more wicked
spirits who have grown deaf to the voice
Of conscience. Let the people judge.
Dare hope that the papers named,
which so wantonly attacked me, will
zee the propriety of publishing this card
n their columns, that justice may be
lone in the premises'
Respectfully yours,
S. MEYER.
CANTON, o., July 18TH, 1877.