The daily gazette., 1883-07-12

the escape of Coilingwood Hallett, the
Sussex county murderer, who cheated the
gallows by feigning insanity, nd finally
worked his way out Of jail, is taken as
pretext by certain Republican journals to
attack the Democratic administration OF this
State, upon the ground that Hallett was not
only permitted, but aided, to escape by the
Democratic officials, simply because he was
a Democrat.
This is the first time we ever heard Hal
lett's political views brought into the ques-
tlon, and as far as the GAZETTE is con-
cerned, we never considere,; for an instant
what political opinions, If any, he ever en-
tanned. We looked upon him as
foul murderer, whose conviction was
just and righteous, and never supposed that
political considerations had any bearing
upon subsequent events connected with the
case.
No fair minded man will deny that Hal
lett's pretended insanity was so well
simulated as to warraLt the postpone
ment of his execution, and it was not
until his escape that people realized
how successfully he was shamming.
And here comes the question of completely
on the part of local officials in his escape.
Unfortunately, the Sussex county papers
who seem to think the prisoner received the
aid of the Sheriff lack either courage or re-
liable information, and deal in iLuendo
instead of making a direct accusation.
We have no knowledge of the facts, and are
10th TO believe that the Sheriff of Sussex
county would lend himself to such an in
famous scheme, but we have no hesitation
in declaring that If he did deliberately con
nive at the prisoners escape he ought to be
summarily impeached, criminally prose
cutcd and punished to the full ex-
tent of the law. And further, If he did
SO on account of the political associations OF
the red handed murderer, he ought to bt
kicked out of the Democratic party ant
never allowed TO advocate its principles o.
vote for its candidates, during the balanc
of his natural life.
AS to the attempt to class the acquittal O
DR.. West and the reprieve of Jerry Harriga
with the escape of Hallett, as in
stances of the impossibility q
visiting capital punishment upon Demo
cratic criminals, it is an insinuation tha
can emanate only from minds too mean an
narrow TO view any of the affairs of life excep
in the most contemptibly partisan aspect
West was tried by "jury of his peers AM
acquitted, and even if it is admitted tina
his escape was a result of politica
prejudice, bis case finds more thar
counterpart in the infamou
verdict that freed William Neal for no othe
reason under heaven than that he was
nero and his victim white woman. Tn
reprieve of Harrington was an act of simpl
justice, done in answer to the geners
sentiment of this community that tn
circumstances of his crime wei
position of the laws severest penalt,
He is now in prison, where he is likely
remain until his offence is fully expiateC
before he receives ull pareon, aud is a
lowed to walk forth free man.
Hallett's case is in nowise parallel wit
these. He was proved to be foul mu
derer, and would have been hung had /
not SO cleVerly deceived everybody by feigr
ing insanity. He is now fugitive frol
justice, and every effort should be made
bring him back to receive his richly d
served punishment And if the Sheriff
Sussex county is responsible for his escap
he should be held to the strictest account
bllity.