The Evening critic., 1883-06-15

should happen that the defendants were
innocent, n contrary verdict would bo
terrible visitation on the men and their
families. If there was doubt the defend
ants were entitled to tho benefit Of 1t, and
If the Jurors erred it would be on the side
Of mercy. IL was not until Wednesday
night about 10 o'clock that tho three jurors
announced that they would probably go
with the majority, but would sleep over IL
another night. Yesterday morning all
hands were up at an early hour, and at g
o'clock fell to q discussion Of the absorbing
theme. At n vote was taken with
unanimous result for acquittal.
AS to the three men who stood ont for
conviction, Mr.. Crane said that a pledge
had been made in tho jury room that their
names would not be divulged. The matter
had leaked out, however, as the names had
appeared in an afternoon paper. Their
names are Michael Horrigan, Geo. b. Sheriff
and o. G. Green.
Concerning the methods pursued by the
prosecution, Foreman Crane said II think
the real conspiracy has been on the part of
Government officials to convict a lot of in
nocent men. There was not q man on the
jury who was not disguised with the means
employed by the prosecution. There was
no effort at bribery that know Of, but In
fluepces were sought to be employed
almost as mean and infamous. Tho
malice against Dorsey was especially
vigorous and pointed. For ms stance, when
it was put in evidence that Dorsey had lost
eleven -twelfths of his eyesight, men inter-
ested for the Government brushed by the
jury and said in audible tones, "He's no
moro blind than / am-it's all q id
sham" Furthermore, it seemed to
me, the Government counsel took
very low method of manufacturing
testimony for conviction. The testi-
mony of Moore, the man brought all tho
way from the West, who openly proclaimed
his. shame by acknowledging that he
was thief saying, Eyes, there was a con-
spiracy; Dorsey told me SOL was in it,
and we divided the stealings" had q con-
trary effect upon the jury to that intended
by the Government. 1t did not seem to us
at all probable that as shrewd man as
Dorsey would make of his house hotbed
of conspiracy and coolly invite men there
to plot for the robbery of the Government.
The belief of almost every juror was that
Moore deliberately perjured himself. The
1000 note story told by Walsh excited
incredulity from the first.
Is to Rerdell, Mr.. Crane said that his
attitude was curious one. He had pleaded
guilty to conspiracy, and now the jury had
found that there was no conspiracy. 1t put
| Rerdell in a singular position. Under his
| plea the Government could go on aud SEN
tence him, and yet it would be strange
| proceeding to punish a man for a crime
which jury had declared had never been
| perpetrated. Under any legal construction
| it could not be held that Rcrdell had
been guilty of a conspiracy, except
| possibly with Peck, who is now
dead. But, of course, Rerdell is in no
danger, as his bargain with the Govern
ment would afford him immunity from
| punishment in any event. Mr.. Crane said
there was an especial sympathy for ex-
Senator Dorsey among the jurors. 1t SEEM
ed to them that the Administration which
he had been particularly instrumental
in building up had betrayed an anxiety
| to send him to the penitentiary
The ex-foreman said that under the
circumstances most of the jury being con-
vinced of the innocence of the defendants,
the long speeches were looked upon as an
inordinate punishment. The jury thought
it was great hardship to have to be sub
jected to a courtroom service for seven
months, taken away from their business
and compelled to accept the paltry and une-
quail pay of 81 per day, while the Govern.
ment counsel were getting so much more
Republican.