The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-02-11

THIS sentence from the Cleburne
Chronicle speaks whole volume re-
garding the narrow-mindednes of the
"old Alcalde:" "Ex- Governor Roberts
said he would like to be Governor again
for 10 minutes In order toveto the school
bill. The Professor seems to be In favor
Of free education for those who are rich
enough to, attend the university, but OPP
posed TO free schools at the homes Of the
poor who are unable to go off TO high
schools. While the Professor draws
5000 year for teaching law at the
university he il not willing to pay 5000
year to the teacher who performs the
more unpleasant task of teaching the
common schools. Professor Roberts is
inconsistent"
THE Galveston, Harrisburg and San
Antonio railway system has issued
most attractive card announcing the
round-trip rates and time OF departure Of
trains from the most important points
along Its line and throughout the State
to New Orleans during: Mardi Gras.
Tickets will be on sale on February 20 TO
18th inclusive, and'will be good to return
March 2, inclusive, Mt the rate Of one
fare. Pullman palace sleeping and chair
cars win be on all trains, and rs the run
between San Antonio and New Orleans
Is only about % hours, there is no reason
why the trip will not be pleasant and
agreeable one, considering the extra ac-
commodations, the extreme low rate of
fare, and particularly the splendid equip
ment Of this popular route.
THE Marshall Messenger beholds
monopoly as n king, with great big
OK" In the rumor that an attempt will
be made to get bill through Congress
copyrlghting news matter ~ hours after
publication, being In the interest Of the
city daily papers. The Messenger places
too low an estimate on the influence of
the local press, when 1t apprehends any
danger from that source. Such n bill
could last but one session even If the
members could be prevailed upon to pass
one so foolish. Every man who an
nounced himself as candidate would
by reason Of popular indignation be
forced to stand on an anti-monopoly
platform, and pledge himself to work
for Its repeal or get Off the track.
The press is the bulwark Of the people
and the larger papers have too much
knowledge Of the power welded by the
smaller ones to attempt any such
scheme.
THE conviction of Jenkins, for the muir
der of j. l.. Borden, ut Mansfield, Louis
lana, is symptomatic Of the beginning of
new and better era in the South. One
jury has been found which has had the
moral courage and manhood to half way
discharge Its duty, and the occurrence
deserves special mention and praise.
Generally, trials for murder are absolute
mockeries and farces, no matter how
strong the proof may be. Borden was
Principal ola female academy, and Jen-
kins, who was Methodist preacher,
attacked him, without warning, and
nssassinated RI him, showing a blood
thirsty and ferocious disposition. The
reason assigned by this preacher-mur-
derer for his dastardly assassination,
was that Miss Butler, pupil in the
academy under Borden, had confessed to
him that she had been seduced by Bor-
den, and that he had volunteered, not
withstanding his being preacher Of the
Gospel, to avenge her wrongs by taking
the life Of Borden, in the most cowardly
manner. At the trial, Miss Butler testi-
fed that she had never told jenkins that
Borden had seduoed her; nor said any
thing from which such an inference
could be drawn, and unequivocally
denied that Borden had been guilty of
any improper conduct towards her. The
defence set up was that jenkins was
insane, but this defense broke down for
lack Of foundation. Insanity is the usual
plea interposed for the murderer, and II
Is not only an after thought, bu,
ia mere pretence resorted to in order
to humbug juries. Sunset Cox was In
Europe, while Guiteau's trial was in pro.
gress, and upon his return to the United
States he said on the continent the plea
Of insanity was unknown in prosecutions
for crime, the law holding that IL mer
were sane enough to go at large in so
ciety and attend to their affairs, they
should not plead insanity when ar
raigned for crime. This view of tn,
matter is perfectly correct. II nobody
considers person insane before he com
mits q foul murder, the plea of insanity
ought not to be allowed to be interposed
and the statute should be to that effect
The murder committed by jenkins wa
worthy Of condign punishment, an,
ought to have been expiated by hanging
When murderers are hung the law be
comes a terror to vicious and evil dis
posed persons and acts as restrain