The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-01-13
Letter from Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, Jan. lUIn, 1871.
Tho Bennett May duel has been topic of gen.
eral gossip and speculation throughout the week.
Even up to this time the whole thing is wrapped
in mystery. There has, in all probability, been a
hostile meeting, but where or when is not clearly
defined Both begerents are to have
so, then so be it. They can rest upon their aures.
Courage, so far as duello courage goes, was with
each of them-that is, they willing to be shot
at rather than acknowledge a supposed or real
wrong which, in either case might be more wisely
adjusted by proper concessions. If, however, men
are fools enough to fight, why, let them. 1t don't
prove anything substantially tending to convince
sensible world either way, other than that actors
therein are open volators of law which they set at
defiance. 1t is said the authorities after May
and his seconds-also Bennett and his-fOr the
purpose of indicating outraged justice. The
general sympathy seems upon the side of Mr.. May
and his accomplished young sister, whose name
unfortunately, has been thus brought so conspicu-
ously before the public. She always has been, is
now, popular favorite here and elsewhere. The
mistake was in having anything to do with rake
like Bennett, so VIGOROUSLY known, whose dispo-
sition and procliyities congenial to fe-
male virtue and innocence.
Judge Brown of the Criminal Court decided to-
day very important law point which deeply in
wolves the interests of all business men. A young
man named Theodore Briscoe formerly an entry
clerk of Hamilton Easter & Sons, was tried for
embezzling $l69 from his employers. He had col
lected the money from different parties indebted
to the firm, kept and spent it, There were also
two other indictments against him of a similar
character. No doubt whatever existed of his guilt
1t not only confessed by the accused but clear
ly proven. The law of our State requires that the
articles or things embezzled must be definitely
itemized and set forth in the indictment so as to
be positively identified Such was attempted in
framing the indictment. 1t turned out, however,
on trial, that none of the witnesses who paid the
bills of Mr.. Easter Sons to the prisoner could
state exactly the kind or denomination of money,
as alleged in the indictment, which they passed
over to him. This defect in our law which is
founded upon statute of George Ill, and no
statuatory enactment in the Maryland Code to
punish, unless the party who suffers embezzlement
can name precisely the kind, denomination etc.,
of goods or money lost set forth in the indict-
ment. Judge Brown said though the prisoner was
unquestionably guilty, yet obedient to our
Maryland law, he must acquit him and did so-
The Judge, in rendering his decision, regretted
very much the effectiveness of our law, but as he
had to abide by law, not make it, his duty was
imperative and plain in letting the young offender
go at liberty. According, therefore, to this dec-
sion very wide field is open to all persons or
employees, who may venture upon robbing their
employers under the form of embezzlng If wit
nesses cannot prove positively and directly that
very identical kind of goods or money set forth in
the indictment, he can put them at defiance and
steal without moestation. A. Leo Knott, Esq,
States Attorney, confessed the looseness and inf
cheney of our statutes regarding this particular
crime, fully agreeing with the views of Judge
Brown. Our Legislature, therefore, at its next
session should give the matter immediate attention
and remedy the evil otherwise employers will be
always running great risks should they have in
their employ persons dishonesty inclined.
Though our city authorities try to prevent boys
from the dangerous but exciting amusement of
"coasting" within the city limits, yet temptations
are so great that the young urchins will persist
steal marches upon the police. Several very seri-
GUS accidents have resulted therefrom. Neverthe-
less juveniles cannot be kept from enjoying them
selves. Even those of maturer years are tempted
to indulge as if they were boys again.
There were hopes week ago of the harbor be-
ing freed from ice, but it is still blockaded There
is fine skating in our parks and elsewhere around
Baltimore. Amusements are only fairly attended.
The scarlet fever still prevails to considerable
extent. NEsToR.