The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-06-14

eral quarters that THE CRITIC, under its
new management, was TO become the de-
fender and apologist of certain public ofii-
cials, alleged to be implicated in some pend
ing prosecutions, to wit, the investigation
into the Star Route frauds. The reply we
make to all this inspired cbaff shall be brief
and to the point In the present aspect of
Dairs we observe that u number of charges
have been made in an irregular manner,
and, SO far as can be asccrtained, upon IRE
sponsiblc authority against II body of men
lately entrusted with large power and the
performance of high official functions. We
believe it is usual, in even the jury trial of
murderer to proceed by due process of
law, in shaping conviction or acquittal to
some extent by the development of tcsti-
mony, and have never believed in the sum
mary method of hanging the man first and
then rcsortingto trial.
five are wrong in that view of the case,
il is some satisfaction TO feel assured that
the sentiment of all civilized communities
from an early period has been to the same
purport. In dealing with gentlemen, who
have heretofore borne characters good
enough to cntitle them to the administra-
tion of prominent trusts, in great govern
ment like ours, it is at least their due when
suspicion raises its head, to enjoy the same
decency of procedure and legal decorum al
ways accorded to the lowest felons on the
calendar.
In case it should appear, after fair and
impartial hearing before legally constitut-
ed tribunal, that any or all of the gentle
men now assailcd in the press and by rumor
have been guilty of malfeasance in office,
THE CRITIC will be found second to none in
its zeal for the administration of justice
But to impose fines to mete out criminal
punishment, and to settle term of years
for imprisonment, before the above usual
formalitics have been gene through with, is
neither journalism nor common sense, and
we propose to introduce BOTH as much as
possible, into the conduct of this paper. We
believe that all fair-mindcd people who, still
retain respect for the civilized rules of .ju-
risprudence, will cheerfully subscribe to
this declaration Of principles. Up to the
present moment the men who are engineer
ing this job of snap Judgment are not enti-
tied, either by their own regulations or by
spect of law-abiding citizens. They are
mainly individuals whose careers have been
tainted with professional libel, subornation
of perjury and blacllmail, in some cases
self-confessed, and in all cases clearly sub
jcct to suspicion.
They began the prosecution in the press
ON the strength of unsiftcd and unsubstanti-
ated assertions. They are still carrying it
on in close corporation style. Those repre-
senting the newspaper side Of the prosecu-
tion are allowed access to every fresh rumor
or suspicion, given entire control of docu-
ments supposedly reserved for the court
room, while the duly selected attorneys for
leges, but even decent recognition We
deny the right to dignity such eX parte and
star-chambcr proceedings with the name OF
proof. We propose to frame our views OF
the case according to proof when found.
1t is true that in all large public prosecu-
tions, where so many interests are involved
trial by newspaper is unavoidable to some
cAtclt. Dut inc Tulc WlWl lnOSc WHO nave
been in charge ofthesc prosecutions, ,eithero ON
the bench or in Congress, has been to sup
press, us much us might be, all testimony OF
rumor that gave but one coloring to the
case in advance. Judicial procedure must
be protected from these unjust assaults. But
the clique having this Star Route busnes.
in hand have not only not tried to observe
this principle but have thrown all theil
energies into the other extreme, intimatine
rumors and circulating through the press il
an underground and disrcputable way, sucl
reports as affected but one side of the cas-,
and rcprcssing every circumstance that
could conflict with their prosecution b,
conveying an impression favorable for tn,
defonse. The CRITIC will be an organ in tn,
cause of common justice, and in behalf of al
legal precedent against such high-handet
measures. Our organism" bears this of
fense-no more, no less.
Nv L.,