The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-05-02
JOHN P. PHAIR PROVED GUILTY.


bolenco OF Lne Rutland DeteetlVes,
Editor Rutland GIobe:-The Phair case
is topic of earnest discussion in every
circle among all classes of our citizens.
While those who read the testimony ad-
duced on the trial or, as was the case of
the writer, listened to every word of it
have their confidence in the justice Of his
conviction but little shaken new gen.
Grafton, 80 to speak, has suddenly
sprung up, who clamorously assert his in
nocence. 1t was said at the time that who
ever was guilty of that crime was terribly
guilty. The annals of Vermont had not
ever before been stained with the record of
deed so revolving, so atrocious. As q
matter of course the people, especially the
people of the town of Rutland, were great
lY excited.
An unusually liberal reward was offered
for the detection and conviction of the
perpetrator. Messrs. Stearns and Thorn
ton led off in the pursuit. At heavy ex-
pense to themselves if unsuccessful they
followed out clue and secured testimony
that fastened the guilt on John p. Phair.
We admit that the testimony was techni-
cally circumstantial, but there was no
missing link in the chain. For thirteen
successive sessions of the court, the Jury,
as fair and honorable panel as ever tried
cause, patiently listened to the testimony,
the arguments of counsel and the charge of
the court. They pronounced him guilty.
The defence was conducted by an able
array of counsel who were selected by the
prisoner himself. And now after the
lapse of nearly three years we have a SEN
sational journal in distant state, no doubt
seeking notoriety and patronage, and a
busy reporter arraigning Vermont, arragn-
ing the court, the witnesses, the jury, and
last though not least, the detectives. Has
it come to this that men who volunteer to
ferret out criminals and bring them to JUS
tice, shall be held up to public acorn aud
contempt? Why, if this sensational farce
is carried on much farther, the court, the
witnesses, the detectives aud the jury will
be consigned to everlasting contempt, and
John p. Phair be proclaimed the only
honest, innocent and deserving person i'm
plicated in the affair.
One word more as to detectives in gen.
eral and the detectives interested in this
case. A horrible crime had been perpe-
trated-public feeling was thoroughly
aroused-a magnificent reward had been
offered-the detectives in this case almost
intuitively fastened on Phair as the guilty
party and proceeded to work DIP the case
and secure bis arrest and also to gather and
connect the evidence necessary for his con-
viction. Had they done less they would
have been branded as inefficient and worth
less. But having accomplished the object
shall they now be stigmatised as mercenary
and corrupt and held up to public scorn
and contempt. 1t is asked why did they
not pursue III. L, Sargent and Aurelia
Brooks2 Having sure thing in Phair
why should they be diverted from the
track and follow out every suggestion that
might be made.
If any other person had reason to sus-
pect other parties as guilty of the crime it
was their privilege if not their duty, to in
vestigate the matter, bring the guilty party
to justice and claim the reward. Why
were the blood-stained garments of which
so much is now said, not then hung out
and exhibited to the public gaze? Yer
mont is not blood-thirsty state. Every
shield known to the law in any state is
thrown around a suspected person, and no
convicted murderer can be executed until
two years after he is sentenced; thus Civ
ing that space for proofs of his innocence.