Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-07
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
A HARDENED BOY.


Cyrus McClintock, boy young in years,
but old in criminal experience, in this city,
was convicted on Monday, in the Superior
Court, of grand larceny of some jewelry, the
property of Mrs. Gravich. It developed DUR
ing. the trial that he had frequently been an
inmate of the local jails, and while on the
stand. testifying in his own behalf, he UNI
blushingly acknowledged that he was a fire.
ouenter of Chinese opium dens, and an
associate with criminal characters. On Tues
day MeClintock was called up for sentence
before Judge benson, his mother being In
Court. She exhibited considerable emotion,
and her evident sorrow excited the sympathy
of the numerous spectators witnessing the
scene. Judge benson, in pronouncing judg-
ment, said "The duty devolving upon the
Courtin passing jndgmentin such case this
is of the most painful aud unpleasant nature.
There is, however, this satisfaction in this
particular case, that the verdict of the jury
was fully justified by the evidence adduced
at the trial The only question that dis
tresses my mind is to determine just what the
penalty ought to be. The law fixes the term
of imprisonment at not less than one nor more
than ten years-giving aconsiderabie range, &C
cording to the circumstances of each particular
case. cannot refrain on this occasion from
saying few words to this young man, not
because have any desire to volunteer advice;
but what shall say to him is not for his ben
eft alone, but for the benefit of others also.
The punishment of those who transgress the
laws is for the prevention of crime by others
and for the reformation of those who are
punished. This young man had the misfort.
une to lose his father some years ago, and
his mother was left with a large family Of
L DOT
age when he ought to bring support to those
at home, but instead of that he simply has
brought disgrace upon them. He brings sor
row and suffering where he should have
brought comfort and joy. He admits upon
the stand, and it is undoubtedly true, that
his associations have been with those who
discuss the matter of robbiDg houses, and
who infest opium dens and smoke opium with
the vile and loathsome Chinese. His hours
have been idle and his career has been marked
by absence from school. This has not been
in accordance with the advice of his mother,
and [ want to call his attention at this hour
to the fruit which his course has yielded.
When young men start in life with the as
sumption that they will live without honest
and legitimate work the State Prison
or the gallows will be .their lot as
sure as effect follows cause. Idleness Is
the foster-mother of crime, and it leads to
nothing but misery. l would say to every
young man, By all means do something; be
employed at something. There Is an old
adage, which is as true as homely, that the
devil finds work for idle hands There is a
world of meaning in it. Any man who starts
out in a life of idleness is sure to bring up in
a life of crime; and l would say to every
young man, Do something; saw wood,
peddle newspapers, black boots, groom
horses, run errands-any thing that is hon
est 1t is honorable, it is high-minded, to
earn an honest living. The career of this
boy is well known in this community. The
jury have recommended that the Court ex-
ercise mercy in pronouucing the Judgment,
and that recommendation | have seriously
considered. They recommend it on the
ground of his extreme youth, and have con-
sidered that fact, but / cannot help consider
ing to some extent as against that recon-
mendation, that this boys extreme youth and
sympathy for his family has heretofore kept
him out Of prison. If you, sir, had felt as
kindly and as humanely towards your own
mother and towards your own flesh and blood
as Others do. you would not be here to-day.
In this case I cannot find it in my conscience
to impose merely nominal punishment l
want to recommend to you, in all kindness,
that when you go to State Prison, as now you
must, that you be careful about your associa-
lions there. You will be thrown among the
worst characters in the State, but place your
self under the protection of the officers,
be kind and courteous in your department,
and keep away from the association with bad
men. Leave crime behind you, and go there
with the intention of making this lesson of
reformation, so that you will come cut bet
ter man. Devote your idle hours to reading.
Read books of some aceount-not the yellow
backed literature of the day, for it would be
better for the world If all such literature were
gathered up and burned in huge bonfire.
Read moral and intellectual books. Improve
your mind and your character, and come out
with the resolve that you will be man.
There is yet hope for you, and II you conduct
yourself properly / can safely say that before
the end of your term you can hope for Elk
ecutive clemency" During the pronouncing
of the Judgment McChntock remained per-
fectly stolid and unaffected.
INSANE En- EoUTE.-Sheriff NJ. j. Nc.
Culchan, of Storey county, Nevada, passed
through yesterday, having an insane woman
named johanna Strada in his custody, whom
he was taking to Woodbridge Asylum. Also,
Sheriff J. L. Harrington, Of Albion, Idaho,
having an insane man named G. 7. Mason in
charge, for the same asylum. They arrived
on the morning train, and while waiting for
the Stockton train, which leaves at ll:35,
were transferred to the City Jail for safe
keeping Both were very violent and pitia-
BILE in character of malady. The woman had
frequently been through to Stockton while
sane and when the overland for San Fran
cisco went that way, but had not been down
since the change Hence when she was abous
to be taken out to await for the Stockton
train she imagined some ruse was being
played against her and she refused to leave
~ ! lr,-k to1 ,r,AI o
fore she could be taken from her position
without exercise of too great violence, the
seat had TO be unfastened from the floor and
removed. She was then taken by main force
and carried oat, but her shrieks and appear
anes, from her arms being strapped to pre-
vent her doing Injury to herself. was sad
sight. Her insanity is stated to have been
caused by the brutality of her husband, who
was of Mexican birth. The man named Scott,
who was recently taken from the street in this
city in an insane condition, was yesterday
taken to the Napa Insane Asylum by Deputy
Sheriff Chapman.
BOARD or SUPERvIsoRs.-Th Board Of
Supervisors met pursuant to adjournment
Prcsent-Messrs. Blair, Bailey. Christy and
Beckley. Supervisor Beckley in the chair,
A petition was received from citizens
of Sacramento city and county ask
ing the Board to submit TO the voters Of
the county at the general election in Novem'
Der the question of purchasing the American
river bridge, TO make the same free: Inc
petition was read and placed on file. Under
suspension of the rules claims were considered
and allowed to Frank Hasness for So 20,
and John McComber for IS So No further
business appearing the Board then adjourned
till 10 A. NJ. to-day.
THE RIvER-The steamer Harriet went
UP river yesterday, with barges Lizzie Pat
te-son, Staten Island and Bessie, all light
the Dover went up with barge Garfield, light
the G. M. Small also passed up, with barge
Marysville, loaded with potatoes.
RICH BRocADED SILKS and satins, full
assortment of colois and shades, only Il
cents, at the Red House.
BROWN KERsEY OvERooATs, excellent value
at $11. Mechanics Store.
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