Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-01-13
scoTr.DRuRY \ HOMICIDE.
[RrOm sanau.kr Rnri.tsr.l

Ne" lOrk heTdtd says "Ihe whole
wretched affair may be charged TO the ut
terly inexcusable habit in young men OF
heavy drinking" Nothing is more injuri-
ous to the bodies and the minds Of young
men, and of old men as well, than intem-
perate use of strong drink. That is the
universal testimony Of those who are
themselves drinkers either in moderation
or to excess. But the Herald does not un-
derstand the theory Of the defense or OF
the prosecution in the Scott case. The
theory of the prosecution is that Governor
Scott's son, a lad of sixteen, who had been
drinking heavily all day Christmas, was
taken in charge late in the evening by
Drury, young man of twenty-five, and
put to bed to he cared for, young Scott
having refused to go home; that Scott at
tempted to force his way into Drury's
room, and meeting with resistance delib-
erately shot Drury and killed him. It is
not pretended that Gov. Scott was under
the influence of liquor or that he had
drank any liquor, but that he was mad
with passion at Drury's refusal to let him
pass through the store to his room. The
theory of the defense is that Scott lett his
home to find his son; that he learned hat
Drury had him in charge; that he attempt
ed to force his way into the room where
the son was sleeping off his debauch; that
his revolver, which was in his oyercoat
pocket, went off accidentally and shot
Drury to death. Why not charge the
tragedy to the unlawful and foolish habit
of carrying weapons If Scott had LETT
his revolver at home, Drury would now
be alive and Scott would not be charged
with murder. A few years ago a promis-
ing young dentist was shot down in the
streets of this city and killed by revolver
belonging to companion. Both men, the
victim and the owner of the revolver, were
on their way home from temperance
lodge. That tragedy, which many men
believe now was murder, was not occas-
ioned by liquor, but by the wicked habit
of carrying deadly weapons.
GOV. SCOTT.
AN ITEM REGARDING HIS DEFENSE.
Cincinnati Enquirer
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-A private letter
received here to-day from relative of Ex-
Gov. Scott, of South Carolina, who killed
young Drury at Napoleon, Ohio, states
that the theory of the defense at the ap-
trial will be that the sho oting
was accidental. The writer says that four
intelligent surgeons who examined Dru-
ry's body and marked the course traversed
by the ball, concur in the opinion that it
would have been impossible for it to take
the direction it did, had not the shooting
been accidental.
From the Bee.
PERSECUTION vs.. PROSECUTION.
SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE CASE OF
GOV. SCOTT. A CRIMINAL LAW
YER IN A NEW ROLE.
Ed. Bee :-"Give me neither riches nor
"Iu medic tutissimas i6is." If]
one happens to be rich, he is summaril y
by the sans caltotte, if ther g
,xisfs semblance of crime against him,
ss an enemy ofthe commonwealth.
If another having once possessed riches,
md by some erroneous business move,
uch as too liberal contributions to the des-
itute, or by endorsements, or other aids
o friends, sweep away his posses sions, he
) then, often by those who have been re-
ipient of his benefactions, placed down in
heir calendar as "a fool, and the sympa-
HES of mankind are closed against him.
If one possessing wealth is accused of
rime, woe be unto him. The populace-
1e rabble-without why or wherefore,
~ aloud: "Crucity him-hang him with
ut judge or jury"
Envy and malice have shining IN ark.
n most cases juries return verdict OF
against criminal, because
o is poor, although he has committed a
ol-blooded and deliberate murder, ac
ording to testimony, and his own confess
on added; and he is sentenced to a ye ar's
The man of wealth, how
YER, arraigned on charge of homicide
Though defendants own statements and
of witnesses corroborates his
tory, his case is pre-judged.
Is this right? Is it equity? Is it hu-
,anity? Where is the living man, rich or
oor, who can rise in his place, and say
nat Gov. Scott ever wronged him of a
ollar? On the contrary, many there are,
,nants and others, who will say that his
usiness dealings with them have always
cen not only fair and honest, but gener
us.
1t strikes Inc, though no lawyer, but an
utsider, that there is noisome odor of
instead prosecution, on the
art of those who are managing this cru
ade against Gov. Scott.
met J. r. Tyler, Esq, yesterday. In
lis professional career, this is the first in
tance in his life where he has been called
lpon by the prosecution, and he appears
IL new role. His reputation in this coun-
y and throughout Ohio is thoroughly es-
in the fact that he has success
ully defended thirty-tive persons ar
aligned by juries on the charge of homi-
.ide. AS criminal lawyer for the de-
ense, his name and fame being so emil
lent, it astounded the friends of Cover
1or Scott when they discovered that Mr..
Tyler was retained by the other side. He
S in harness for the first time, since he be-
,ame lawyer, for the State.
Mr.. Tyler's position is an embarrassing
me, as his great heart has always gone
,ut in defense of the weak and the op-