The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-28
Correspondence of THE RUTLAND GLOBE.
Will Phair be Hung the 4th OF
New?

Editor Rutland GlO6e:-This is u ques-
ton which hangs heavily upon the minds
of all, both the few who are thirsling fer
the blood of their victim, and the many
who are ever solicitous that the ends of JUS
tice are met and the guilty alone suffer ig-
nominious death. Were we living in the
age of Draco or Jeffreys, the question
without doubt would be answered aflirma-
lively, but when we reflect that we are in
the advanced century of civilization
the case IS one of grave doubt. We are led
to believe that neither Phair, Sargent or
Aurella Brooks, will be executed next
month for the murder of Mrs, Freeze.
10 the first place the deposition of Down
ing and the evidence discovered in Provi-
dence, if presented by Col. Veazey, as a
counsel of his high standing should, must
of necessity leave the governor TO see the
Importance of a further reprieve for the
doomed man. Again, were there no other
evidence than the strong suspicious attached
TO Aurelia Brooks and the artist Sargent
and that too since these have never been in
vestigated, otherwise than under the super
~intendency of the detectives Thornton and
Stearns, public opinion demands q thorough
investigation Of every ~asonabl doubt be-
fore the death penalty is imposed. There
ale those, and We respect the opinions of
any who may have good grounds upon
which to base their conscientious belief in
Phair's guilt but we would query, are
you not willing to adhere to the customs of
81 -,,AN nr-nn;ollYr orirnsnol and rira tha
unfortunate man the benefit of every avail
able doubt ?
Perchance you may not credit the testi-
mony of Downing, and claim that the late
| developments in Providence are q myth
| Don't borrow any trouble on that score, for
if you we're willing to credit the evidence
adduced by Thornton, who is supposed to
be in earnest TO secure the reward, surely
you cannot presume to discredit the testl-
mony of those who have never seen the
murdered woman and have no interest ca
cept to see that Phair has fair play. Allow
that you do believe Phair guilty, or at
least capable of committing the crime,
knowing as %perchance you do his ante
cedents. Are there not others in your
communities, and doubtless your acquaint-
ances, who if the dark veil of sin should be
raised would reveal characters of question
able purity. Are you not aware of the
high social standing Of the detec-
tive gentlemen who produced the
What then would you say if it is shown
that the evidence against Phair WAS mainly,
il not totally furnished from that source ?
1t would not be regarded as a wonderful
phenomenon if one of these detectives
would not choose to have his Jewish asso-
ciate give an account of his whereabouts
while ia Boston drumming and bulldoZing
pawn-brokers.
Stearns asserted that John y. Phair was
registered at the Adams house, a highly re-
spectacle hotel. Where did you register,
Mr.. StearnS, and spend your happy noe
turnal hourt? Perhaps 1t would be a pleas
ure to you to have tho same pawnbrokerf
who swore Phair's life away, and the clerk
OF the Adams house, tell their little story
in reference to your migration while col,
Letting evidence at the Hub. You and your
associates of the detective force found evil
idence which The ny could do no other
wise than weiah ii ,a'nst Phair, mol his
learned counsel reilte, but does this prove
beyond a doub, that Phair killed the Freeze
woman. Now, If you can prove that mont
of the evidence furnished by you is dis
creditable and now known to you was sup
pressed, then you should by no means b(
numbered with that class OF detectives whit
compelled william A. Airing, through feal
TO petiure bime Elf before the jury whicl
found jesse ii. Lewis guilty OF the murde'
of Albert w. Demlng. But enough typ
for the present he's teen used Tor the bene
fit of the detectives, and we leave to tn
readers of Ting GLOBE to judge whether
q there is not a doubt thrown over some O.
the evidence at least. Pdg te cum SIT 2 dc
t~ectiyes, but remember justice must b
maintained and the end is not yet.
n. o. o.