Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-07-20
LANCASTER DAILY 1NTE1IGENUER. TUESDAY, JULY 90
PROF. HUG0lNS
Iudulges In Some Pertinent Observation
TANCASrEp Ir-v v 10 1200

PROF. HUG0lNs
Iudulges In Some Pertinent Observations
LANCASTER, July 19, 1880.
MEssRs. EDITORS As there has been a
good deal said in your columns about my
arrest at the City hotel few days ago, 1
deem it not out of place for me to make
few statements.
want to say to the citizens of Lancas-
ter that my arrest was hasty and ill-advis-
ed. came to your city, advertised my
business in the papers, and Immediately
went to work canvassing, passing out my
business cards wherever went. This fact
of itself ought to have been sufficient to
secure me from the unjust suspicion to
which I was subjected. I had, however,
only worked three days, making many
pleasant acquaintances and friends, when
] was tapped upon the shoulder by po
liceman and informed that l was charged
with entering a room, breaking open
trunk, and "feloniously'' taking therefrom
silver watch and other jewelry. The
reason given for the suspicion was that
had been seen going to and from my room
a good many time during the day, my room
being on the same floor on which the rob-
berry was committed.
Now had engaged that room, paid for
it, and naturally enough considered my
self entitled to 60 to and from it
as often as l desired, or as often as
necessary. The very fact that so many
persons saw me going to and from my
room or up and down stairs is sufficient
evidence to any reasonable person that l
made no effort to conceal my going and
| coming. am aware that when a man is
robbed he feels that the matter will not
admit of delay, that something must be
done, and quickly. However. in all cases,
it is best to use judgment. In this case
Mr.. Frick ought to have made some in
quiry what my business was and how
was attending to it. Had he done so he
would have discovered, that had q
business in neighboring city and was
then vigorously engaged working it up in
| Lancaster.
Had he thus informed himself, and given
the facts the Chief Deichlcr, am quite
sure the chief would never have advised
him to arrest me. In SO doing he thus
wasted his time, and gave the real thief
chance to escape. These facts show
either a want of judgement or bad advisers.
1t is not only uncomfortable but very in
| md 70 1,o
in the hands of an officer upon such a
charge no matter how false it may be-.
There is always possibility of injuring an
innocent man to a far greater degree even
financially than all the stolen property is
worth, to say nothing of the discomfort at
tending such an arrest. I am fully con-
vinced that my business has been injured
at least double the amount of Mr.. Frick' S
published losses, to which may be added
the modification of being roughly intro
duced into the society Of the fleas and bed
bugs of damp and noisome cell of Lam
caster city prison. I want to say to Lancas-
ter citizens and through them to the whole
world, that the peoples liberties ought not
to be held SO lightly. The sunlight of
liberty is too precious boon to be thus
snatched away on SO slight a pretext.
Character is too valuable to each individual
to be thus lightly sacrificed.
AS regards what the reporters have said
during my confinement shall say nothing,
from the fact that they are expected to
write and print everything they hear
about such an occurrence, not stopping to
analyze very closely. AS regards my per-
sonal character, have no fear of its suffer
ing among those who know me, at my
home in Reading or among my business
acquaintanccs in Allentown, Bethlehem,
Pottsville or any other town in which l
have done business. Not even in Lancas-
ter, for my intention is to continue here
until I finish up the business for which l
came, thus giving the citizens of Lancas.
a chance to Judge for themselves.
Notwithstanding my full and entire ac-
quittal before the justice, I deem it only
fitting and proper that 1 should make
these statements to your readers.
lam, respectfully,
| LEANDER E. HUGGINs,
| 4S North 9Th street, Reading, Pa.