The Evening critic., 1883-06-12
PAUL sTRopACH,s CASE,
A Triumph of Justice Over Persecu
ffnn.

t1Ons
A dispatch 10 the New York Times, dated
Montgomery, Ala, June 10, says:
1.-THE trial of Marshal Strobach In the
United States Circuit Court for the alleged Of
fense Of having as deputy marshal made false
accounts against the Government in the
spring OF 1880 was concluded late last nigh,
by verdict OF not guilty. The case has occu.
pied the entire time OF the court, beginnina
on the fret Monday OF May, and has cost the
Government not less than from $4,000 TO
S16,0OO. The stenographer alone, who was
employed for five weeks, stated In open court
that his fees would amount to from $40 to $50
per day. The entire accounts OF Strobach
amounted to S255, and the alleged fraudulent
items therein were boiled down to about 500
during the trial, and as TO these the charge
of fraud was conclusively and triumphantly
refuted.t
"The defense took bold ground from the start
that there was not only no merit In the prose.
cution, but that 1t was a conspiracy on the
part OF strobach's enemies to destroy him by
the prosecution, and the circumstances
brought out In the trial go far 70 confirm this.
EX-Judge Rice, special counsel, seeing that q
conviction was hopeless, bent his energies to
bring about a mistrial. To this end he brought
twenty.four Bourbon Democrats, most OF
them active politicians, on the stand to
testify that Strobach's character was bad be-
cause OF political speeches made by him In
New York In the campaign of 1870 and 1880,
and thus TO prejudice tho jury, which con-
sisted Of nine Democrats and three Republi-
cans. Rice's speech TO tho jury was a bitter
phllliplc against Strobach as a sianderer of
the South. This conduct must be considered
the more Infamous as coming from man who
himself claims to be n Republican and who,
whatever his own sentiments, represents an
Administration, which is In part indebted for
Its existence TO the bold assertions Of naked
truth In the very speeches so bitterly
villiaed. None of the witnesses, however,
could be induced to testify against
strobach's integrity outside of the political
character that his public speeches North had
made for him among his Bourbon townsmen.
To repel this mean and contemplate artlice
OF Rice, Strobach introduced an equal num-
ber OF the most reputable and influential
business men of the city, Including the
mayor and several aldermen, bankers,
wholesale merchants, manufacturers, &C., all
OF whom testified that during Strobach's
entire residence In Montgomery his truth
and Integrity in personal and business mat
tiers had been exceptionally good, and that
no word had been said against IT during the
8 o'clock, and, after partaking of supper, had
but little difficulty In arriving at Its verdict
but owing to the necessity OF bringing judge
and the attorneys Into the court, II was not de-
livered until about midnight. Notwithstand-
Ing the late hour the news that the jury was
ready ready to render a verdict spread like
guilty was greeted by the audience
with shouts of delight and applause,
which the court was unable to suppress. Many
congratulations were received by Stroblch,
some OF which were from Democrats whose
senee OF justice overcame their party preiu-
dices. Strobach has borne the ordeal like q
NhSL tho NoluiCL was Iedu WHICH re-
stored his good name and honor untarnished
and SO slgnally foiled the efforts of his
enemies, he broke down, and for tho first time
evinced emotion. He was supported by his two
sons and son'tn'law, who during the entire
trial have remained by his side.
Several other indictments are pending
against Mr.. strobach, but as every question In
them Is decided in the case on trial further
steps Will hardly be taken. One OF the indict-
ments charges perjury upon strobach for
swearing to the accounts, the correctness Of
which has been determined in this case. At
any rate, 1t is proposed to press the other In
dictments, IL 1t Will only be another evidence
OF fact already established, that this perse-
cution OF Marshal Strobach is simply an az
tempt to peryert the law for the accomplish.
ment OF private and selfish ends.