The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-14
The Thompson Cases.

The cases against Ben Thompson
were called in Justice Won Rosenberg's
court at 10 o'clock yesterday morning,
as per appointment. The county at
torney, Mr.. Wooten, was present, rep
reSenting the state, and Col. Trigg,
counsel for defendant. The defend
ants counsel asked for postpone
ment of the cases on the ground of
Mr.. Thompson's sickness, and the de.
PENDANT himself appeared and said he
was sick and unable to attend the
trial. The county attorney offered to
waive the presence of the defendant
in order to go on with the trial,
which the counsel for defendant
objected to, and preferred to have
Mr.. Thompson present to assist in
the conduct of the trials. The county
attorney stated that he was willing to
submit the matter to the court. If the
defendant was sick and really unable
to attend the trial, then of course, il
| he was unwilling to waive his person.
al presence, it would be proper for the
court to consider the sufficiency OF
the application for postponement
that it was not desired to deprive the
defendant of any right to which by
law he was entitled. After consider
alton the court postponed the case tC
| 8 o'clock Saturday morning next.
In this connection it may be well
to- say, that in the prosecution
of these cases it has been only the
object of The STATESMAN, its propri
etor and employees, to vindicate theil
persons and property from unlawful
attack by Mr.. Thompson. Owing tt
the degree of excitement growing out
of the difficulty between THE STATES
MAN and Mr.. Thompson, it has been
the aim and desire of the prosecution
and OF the prosecuting attorney to bt
as prudent, impartial and deliberate as
possible in these cases. Mr.. Thomp-
son should be tried by the same rules
and judged by the same laws
as other men are, anC
it has been the purpose OF THF
STATESMAN in It's prosecution OF bin
to keep strictly within the prescribed
limits of the law, irrespective of pub
lie clamor. ConsequentlyTHE STATES
MAN has not pressed these cases be
You'd legal warrant and the county
attorney, Mr.. Wooten, and the court
have sought to give to Mr.. Thompson
every right and every concession
to which by any possibility hi
might under the law lay claim
In this effort the prosecution has not
we think, been met half way, no
have it's confidence and concession
been returned, we think, in good faith
On the contrary, delay, worry, tech
meal exceptions and an attempt t.
impede the course of justice hav
been resorted to, and every engine o
legal ingenuity resorted to to proven
Termination of these cases. Yester
day. after the postponement of thes
cases on the ground of Mr.. ThomI
sons sickness, he was seen on tn
Avenue. If he was sick, as claimed
he should have been in bee
II on the contrary he was simpl
playing for delay and trifing with tn
court and county attorney ia his pie
for postponement, we would respect
fully suggest that such things shoul
not be allowed. Under such provoca
tions and public excitement as MI
Thompson's conduct has excited, it
difficult to be calm and to mete on
even-handed justice, due to all men
. but it has been our endeavor to do Sc
and from this time we are assure
that it will be the purpose of the cour
and the prosecuting attorney to aid i
demanding prompt settlement of til
charges against Thompson. The case
are set for 8 o'clock Saturday morning