The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-03-12
THE BRIBERY CASES.
PLEAS OF "GUILTY' ENTERED.

1T Harrisburg for attempting to bribe mem
Ders of the Legislature on the Pittsburg riot |
bill wa. fixed for last Monday. When the |
eases were called everybody was greatly sur
prsed by the entries Of pleas of guilty by
Kembe Sater, Rumberger and Crawford,
Kembes plea vas a .companied with a state
ment to the ellec; that the defendant was in
nocent of the charge Of offering money to
members Of the Legislature for their votes
for the Tilt bill.
While the pleas in the cases of Salter
Crawford and Rumbergar were accepted
without comment Judge Pearson doubted
the legality of the Kemble plea coupled
with the qualification.
Mr.. Simonton asked that the plea be
stripped of the protestation of innocence.
Mr.. Herr then addressed the Court. he
said:
We would like to conform to the sugges
ton OF the court aud proceed strictly in
accordance with the law at the same time,
if possible, prevent the defendant being in
false position. To make this plea inteIli-
gible it must be understood that some time
ago Kemble was witness before an investi-
CATION committee and his testimony in re-
gard to these things would subject HIM to
conviction under the Act of Assembly 1t
| j. not his disposition to deny but in fact to
realHrm what be said was true, but there are
reasons in his breast founded upon facts to
prevent him saying without some further
qualification that he is guilty under this bill
Of Indictment. While we are not guilty OF
perjury rs expressly laid down it seems to me
,he Plea is sutii lent to require him to suffer
the penalty of the law Therefore we put III
The plea of guilty. We also file a paper
setting forth the fact that we protest, in
pite of the plea that we are guilty of cor
rupt solicitation towards these particular
persons. We believe this works no one in
Jury at all and no harm to any person. This
plea is not to be construed as an admission
IN the part of said defendant that he did
c1rruptly offer any money or thing of value
unto any or either or any Of the persons
named in the indictment. 1t is much like
the finding of verdict of not guilty bu
pay the costs.
Judge Pearson having decided that the
plea would have to be entered separately
Mr.. Herr filed paper, of which the follow
ing is a copy:
Commonwealth VS.. W. II. Kemble
Now, March s, 1880, defendant pleads gull
ty, and by leave of the court files this pro
test that the plea is not to be construed a
an admission on the part of the said defend
ant that he did corruptly offer any none
or taing of value, unto any or either OF th
persons named in the Indictment"
Christian Long was next called for tria
but his attorney said his mind was afiecte
and his physical condition greatly impaired
This could be proved by his physician an
other persons. The district attorney di
5 not press a trial, and Judge Pearson CAV
the dt fendant until Tuesday to show that b
e was not able to appear in court.
/ The names of Representatives Drum an
Kntte, witnesses against Representativ
T smith, of Philadelphia, were called, bl
e their being no response the district attorne
: ! informed the court that he was not prepare
! to try any case.
In speaking of the action of the defer
{ dants the Philadelphia Chronicle Hera
n says:
"Why do these men at this time plea
guilty? Because they are convinced tn;
II they can no longer escape trial by dilatol
y motions They and those who stand bac
d of them dare not allow these cases to con
~, to trial. Disclosures, more damning tina
: any of the black trials yet unearthed, a
ready to be made on the witness stand. III
e pleas of the guilty are entered to cut sho
" the inquest and the disclosures. So despe
i ate is this phase of the case that soon
:, than have the hidden secrets of the Ha
u ri,burg lobby revealed in their full enorn
Iy ty, Kembe and his gang will go to the Pen
Tertiary.
Iv But they do not expect to be put in pri
> on They hope to be let off with a fiji
n' which will be easily paid out of the thieye
le protection fund. About all is the pardon
IS That they have in view and no doubt the
N confidence is well placed, The Board
Pardons is Just the kind of body to help
u this new kink in the conspiracy against Il
~ commonwealth.