The Evening critic., 1883-06-15
Judge wilson interviewed.

The Republican this morning publishes
the following interview with Hon. Jere NJ.
Wilson:
~ would prefer to say nothing on the
subject. We have gone through q long,
tedious, exciting trial, the Importance of
which cannot be overestimated. Many
things have occurred during its progress
that regret, and yet under the circum-
stances they might have been expected.
The excitements of such trial were cal
culated to produce them, and 1 want to for
get them as far as l can. / made as careful
and thorough an examination of the
case as was capable Of
two years ago, and became then thoroughly
satisfied that the parties were not guilty,
and tbenceforward my convictions were
constantly strengthened. l never had any
fear as to the ultimate result of the case,
excepting that which grew out of an ap-
probation of the power of the Government.
/ felt, possibly unjustly, that there was a
determination on the part of the Govern
ment to secure a conviction at any hazard.
felt, possibly unjustly, that the Govern
ment had agents in its employ who would
not scruple to resort to unfair means
to accomplish its purposes. Such
things as these filled me with appre-
hension, and after the conclusion of
| the last trial, when saw the foreman of
| the jury indicted, and when 1 saw clerks
| dismissed from the Departments, and other
officials dismissed from their offices because
| of their supposed friendship of the defend
ants, that apprehension was increased, and
| was, perhaps unnecessarily, fearful that
when there were such manifestations on
the part of the Government, coupled with
| the attitude of the press, to which was
added a published letter of the Attorney
General bitterly and vindictivoly denounc-
ing the defendants, 1 could not but
feel that there was great danger that
the case could not be fairly tried upon
the law and the evidence, but that these
outside influences would so taint its atmos-
| phere as that the result, no matter what
the facts were, would be disastrous. In
my Judgment, the Government did not
| have the shadow of a case against the de-
| PENDANTS, and it is but natural that l should
| feel gratified with the result under tho cir
cumstances, and j am glad to say that my
| apprehensions were unfounded, because it
Is manifest and will be to any lawyer who
| ever examines the case, that the jury COM
| pretended the evidence and were con-
trolled solely by it. l regard it rs one of
the highest encomiums upon trial by jury"
what have you to say in regard to any
matter in connection with the details of
the case" inquired the reporter.
II PREFER" said Judge Wilson, mot TO
speak of these. What had to say on that
subject said in the presence of the Court
and the Jury, and hardly think it proper
to speak ofthem elsewhere"
what effect in your opinion. will tho
verdict have upon the prosecution of the
indictments now pending against General
Brady?'
"That is q question:" answered Judge
Wilson, "that l do not think ought to
answer When those cases come up before
the court they will be met and there is the
proper place to meet and try them. l have
uniformly during the progress of this whole
business declined to be interviewed, pre-
ferring to say what i had to say in the
court and hope you will pardon me if
decline to speak as to any case excepting
one that has been finally disposed of.
Mr. JEFF Chandler
said We feel that this verdict is just
one and it simply represents the intelli-
gence and highest courage of the jury
system. 1t is not only of great benefit to
the defendants, but it is of incalculable
benefit to the country. 1t is worth twenty
years of ordinary history to the country
1t is an extinguishment Of tho spy system
and it is verdict that every candid man
in the country will approve if he ever
becomes informed concerning the real fact:
concerned in the case. The only disap.
proval of this verdict will be founded on
misinformation. 1t will be universally
accepted in time by intelligent people a:
the only verdict that could have been rem
| dered."