Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-06-24
A Woman's Victim.
AN EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT IN A
LONDON UKT.

OOu0 lutO tu0 SSuIidi
Cours for q few minutes" said legal
friend of mine, ss We were pas sing the
locality of this famous London tribunal.
"You can easily amuse yourself for q
short time while speak to Mr.. Poland >
We went in. The business was evident
" very dull. The trial then going On
was clearly net sensational. There
we're only very few spectators. The
Judge was leaning back with a languid
air. Mr.. Jutcs Hawkins was Q
Judge. The jury were just beginning
70 consult as to their verdict. In the
dock stood straight, we'll built fellow
of about five and thirty. He was fair
man and pale. He looked aDxiously
round the court FIR a moment US ny
friend began speaking 10 Mr.. Poland
the counsel who had been conuucting
the prosecution against the prisoner.
my lord" suddenly said the pris-
oner, L would like to say few words.
1t was q very earnest application.
There was something peculiarly i'm
pressive in the tone of the mau's voice.
So much so that the jury su denly
Q. ased their suppressed talking end
looked first at the prisoner and then al
the judge.
"Yon had an opportunity of address.
ing the court; the Case is now closed,
said the judge.
MAY ask one question. my lord
only one 2" said the prisoner.
cit is cut of order," answered the
judee, "bus if"
MY lord" said Mr.. Poland, rising
in response to glance from the judge
60 have no ti-c;iOn whatever"
TIE learned counsel spoke as one
who, showing that the prisoner c0ul
do nei her good nor harm, the evidence
having already convicted him, did no
wish TO appear ungenerous. The jury
resumed their seats.
Your question:" said the Judge
1T ia the policeman to whom I wist
to put question: said the prisoner
with so-t Of strange calmDess. as il 1t
had bad struggle with himself before
concluding to address the court. Tut
evidence upon which he was to be con
victed was that of the policeman. ant
the sentence was certain to be heavy, a,
apreviOus convictiL n had already beer
proved against him--a previous con
viction for coir ing. 1t was for CHI
grave ffense of coming that he nov
stood at the bar.
Policeman. stand forwe ri, =" said th,
Judge. An officer stepped into the wit
ness box.
"What is your question? You ma,
put 1t through me-" said the Judge.
II wish to ask him" said the pris
oner, "upon whose information he ar
rested meP" MIR. Poland objected
The answer might lead to revelation
OF police secrets which belonged I
Scotland Yard and not to the public
There Was brief discussion upon thi
point, and the judge overruled the oh
May ask the question in anothe
snspe!" nsked the prisoner. cit ma
save time"
Pot it" said the Judge.
was 1t woman who gave you tn
information upon which you arreste
me?" Again counsel objected. Sco
land Yard had its own methods G
hunting down criminals, aud how th
police obtained information as to tb
movements OF persons like the prison
er Was not Necessarily of importanc
to the court or the public, while it wa
OF Preat moment that the police shoul
not be called upon to expose the de
ftctive secrets of the force. The pris
oDer lad been taken with spurjou
money In his possession and had bee
previously convicted of coming an
had undergone seven years penal kerv
tude for the tffepse. Re.eased fror
prison he had gone back to his furme
criminal hahits; it was an old stor,
ard 30 Oh. But again the Judge rule
that he should permit the question I
be put.
I" Wos it woman who gave yon til
information?" The policeman hes
tated.
Answer" commanded the Judge.
1T ws'," sa,d the officer.
Do You s-e her iu cour, ?" ssbe
the prisoler. Toe officer looked abo,
vaguely.