The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-02-28
X. II. Meals Statement.

munication from X. H. Neal, which will be of
interest to many of our readers. Neal was re-
Gently convicted on charge of enlightenment,
committed during his secretayship of the San
Antonio Real Estate and Building and Loan
Associations:
DEAR SIRs-I will now avail myself of your
kind offer of space in your valuable paper by
making statement, or, rather. an explana-
ton, which, think, is due my friends, who
have mtigated, to very great extent, the
hardShips and sorrow incident to my pro-
,racted imprisonment, by expressions of kind
ness and encouragement, as we'll as having Of
fered me pecuniary aid.
The nature of the charge upon which was
convicted is thoroughly known, and there are
many who are more ConverSant with the de-
tails than l am, and therein consists the prime
cause of my troubles. fully realize that an
assertion OF innocence on my part would be
uselesss and my words would not receive Gre
dence, however much truth there would be in
the assertion. Notwithstanding this weight Of
must and can only feiterate my plea at the
bar of justice: mot guilty."
do not, and cannot believe that the report
of the expert, (E. p. Claudon), is correct, and
in the trial of the civil cause, was advised by
my leading counsel lat that time) Hon. ]. II.
McLeary, not to make any defense. AS stated
before, my lack of knowledge of the details
was the prime cause OF my troubles, and from
November, 1877, to September, 1879, l knew
nothing in regard to the books, and strange to
say, that up TO November 1877, very few dis
crepancies occur, and at that time my per-
Sonal attention to the books ceased, and al
though still retained the secretaryship, yet
did not keep the books nor receive the salary.
l have no desire to cast reflections nor attach
any blame to any one, nor do ask that any
person should share with me the ignominious
burden that has been cast upon me; yet do
assert that the gross carelessness which has
resulted SO disastrously to me was occa stoned
by reposing too much confidence in both the
ability and integrity of others.
Since my arrest in 1873, my case has been
very much pre- udiced by the overt acts of GER
tain parties, who, prompted by personal ami
mostly, have used their best endeavor to
mould public opinion as viewed through their
distorted vision. My own misconduct, unn-
territorial as well as inexplicable, has contribut.
ed much to the weight of prejudice with which
| have had to contend, and for which am
alone lin that respect) to blame, and have
been punished, deservedly, perhaps. though
certainly unjustly. Many of the absurd rumors
which were prevalent at the time of my arrest
were void of truth, which is a characteristic
peculiar to the sources from which they enc
mated. AT the time of my re-arrest, l was en-
gagged in striving to earn support for my
family, and not attempting to evade the Off
GERS of the law, as was reported. Chief detec-
tive Lucy will corroborate this assertion, and
will, at this time, take occasion to thank him
for the courteous manner in which he dis
charged his duty.
fully realize my situation, and the ignom-
my that has crowned my misfortunes; an out
cast from the society of those among whom
once occupied an enviable position, honor
ed and respected, but now the mantle of
honor has been torn from me and have been
clothed with the habilments of disgrace; a
comfortable competence replaced by poverty.
Surely my cup of misery is filled to over
flowing, and my fall should satisfy the crav-
ings of my most implacable enemy. Could |
alone suffer my punishment, though severe, it
would be borne without a murmur; but the
blow falls upon the defenseless heads of my
motherless and now more than fatherless chill
dren, who will not only bear furnished name,
but deprived of my assistance, may perhaps
suffer the pangs of AFFECT poverty. My means
are exhausted, and my mother is too far ad-
vanced in years to provide maintenance for
them. l think l can hear some one or per-
haps many remark: "You should have thought
Of all this sooner" and to such an expression
will reply by quoting that passage in scrip
ture, where it reads: Gle that is without sin
among you, let him cast first stone" etc.
recognize all through my misfortunes the
hand of just God, whose punishment is sure,
but whose mercy endureth forever and to his
tender mercies | commit my loved ones. One
ray of hope illumes the gloom of despair
which now surrounds me. By the help of
God | shall endeavor, by an exemplary life in
the future, to repair as far as possible the mis-
fortune have both caused and sustained, and
if my life is spared, will endeavor to remove
as far as possible the cloud of disgrace that
now, like pail, covers by loved ones.
Much has been said from time to time dur
ing the trials Of my cause, in reference to the
want of feeling and interest manifested on my
part Now, would simply ask: Who could
have been more Interested. Who had more
at stake? In regard to my feelings, will re-
ply that God alone knows my feelings, and
only those who have children of their own can
magazine my feelings. 1t has cost me quite an
effort to maintain the cheerfulness that has so
often been remarked, and my fortitude has
been taxed to the utmost to bear the burden
of my sorrow, and would remind them that
beneath many smiling countenance lies con-
cealed broken heart.
In regard to my acceptance of the verdict,
desire to state that my decision was, and is,
contrary to both the implied and expressed
wish of nv counsel: as also in direct conflict