Morning journal and courier., 1885-02-26
THE NORWICH DEFAULTERs.

The District Attorneys Remarks
Governor walters Plea for Mercy |
MANY Norwich Friends with the |
Misunderstanding Scenes.
The Norwich bank defaulters were SEN |
fenced in the United States District court |
yesterday. Cashier James NJ. Mech and |
Assistant Cashier Charles Webb, of the
Merchants National bank, were sentenced to
five years each in the Connecticut State pris-
on for Understanding certificates of depos-
it and making false Roaths to the comptroller
of United States currency. William Roath,
cashier of the Shetucket National bank, was
sentenced to four years in the Connec-
ticut State prison and to pay fine of 81 and
costs
The thre. defaulters were early in court
yesterday morning and were accompanied by
| many friends from Norwich, who seemed to
! have the greatest sympathy for them in their
| difficulties Mech was brought down from
| the Jail and was accompanied by his wife and
| little nine-year-o boy and lady friend.
\ Mrs. Meech's lot seemed a hard one. She
wore a melancholy look and everyone in
| court expressed the greatest sympathy for
her and her son. Near the Mech family sat
William Roath. He was in earnest CONVEX
sation with his friend, William Rawson, of
/ Norwich, who has been extremely kind to
both Roath and Webb. The latter named
gentleman defaulter kept aloof from his COM
paniens in crime. He took seat on the op-
| posite side of the court room and was next
his friend, Mayor Osgood, of Norwich, who
has been his constant friend and companion
| while in court.
| The grand jury, who were considering their
| cases, came out from the jury room about IL
o'clock and returned true bills against the
| defaulting cashiers. Before the indictments
were read to the accused men Judge Ship
| man asked if Mr.. Webb had counsel. Gov
| ernor Waller who was present as counsel for
Roath, replied that he thought not. Mr..
| Webb was called before the bench.
| Judge Shipman said, "Mr. Webb, have
| you counsels"
| 81 have not" he replied, with a shake of
| the head.
''Do you desire counsel assigned you?"
| asked the judge.
81 do not" replied Webb.
During this conversation Webb wore de-
| termined look. His eyes were CLASSY and oc
casionally twitched from nervousness. He
| walked back to his seat in firm and deter
mined way and seemed quite unconcerned.
Previous to this he had been talking cheer
| fully with friends and frequently smiled at
remarks made.
| United States District Attorney Stanton at
| this point went on with the cases, after the
court had been informed by Governor Wal
Ter that he appeared for Roath, and that Sol
ONION Lucas appeared for Mech.
| Clerk Marvin called up Webb and he
| walked firmly up to the bar while the indict
ment was read to him by the clerk. His
| right elbow rested on the corner of the
| clerks desk and his left hand was behind
him. He struck dramatic attitude and as
| the counts we're read off Webb changed his
position frequently and appeared to be grow
| ing nervous. He frequently stroked his
moustache and his fingers across his
forehead ind tshhroughs theywhite stubby hair
on his head. After the indictment was fin
ished and the question was asked, "What is
your plea, guilty not guilty?'' he replied
i in broken voice. 'Guilty." He then walked
| over to his friends and resumed his seat,
| drawing long sigh as he sat down. During
all this time Mech and Roath had been cram
ing their necks, from their seats, to watch
and hear all that was said by Webb and 9th
ers. Mech was next called and after hear
! ing the Indictment read pleaded guilty. He
| was less nervous than Webb. He took a
| seat near the counsel table. Roath, who was
the most detected looking of the three, was
next called. He also pleaded guilty to the
| Indictment. He took scat beside Mech
i WoIh ioir 4ha IIa IroJ
| if he had anything to say in mitigation of his
crime. He shook his head
District Attorney Stanton stated to the
| court that he had considered the cases alike.
| He said that the cases of Mech and Webb
were similar Since they ad been detected
| they had made no trouble for the government
| They all came to the commissioners Office
| and gave themselves up. They waived any
preliminary examination and came to the
| District court and pleaded guilty. 1t is true
| that the bondsman of one of the men (Meech)
| had become frightened and had surrendered
| his man to the authorities, but there was
| nothing in fact that ought to affect the SEN
| tence He thought the place of confinement
| should be the Connecticut State prison. If
| their offence is not State prison offence
| then there is none known to law During
| the past ten years the national banks
| of Connecticut had suffered by defaulters
to the amount of 100000, an average of
| 500, 900 per year. During the past eight
years the amount was $S00,000, increasing
| the average to 800, 900 per year. 1 dare not
| advise extreme sentence, because it might
enlist the sympathies of men of influence
| and be nullificd. 1 shall ask, your honor,
| for just and fair sentence, and that the
sentence be served out to the last day, to the
last hour and to the last minute, whatever
| the consequences be to the accused or their
| families. As the government has taken con-
| troll of the banks of this State, 1 submit that
the government owes something to the State
| of Connecticut
| "How about Roath's case?' asked Judge
| Shipman.
| GAS regards Roath there is an exception
| in his case," continued Mr.. Stanton. 81 have
/ enquired into his case and among the most
| substantial members of the community in
| which he lives. He was to certain extent
| under the influence of men of stronger wills
| than his and do not think he appreciates
/ the enormity of his crime. The bank with
| which he connected substantially
| without directors. It was peculiarly man
| aged. think he was not morally RESPONSE
| bic for his connections in this matter"
Ex-Governor Waller arose and addressed
| the court He said he appeared for Roath,
but as he went on he argued for light sen
| tence for oil of them and lighter ono for
Ronth. These men have been overwhelmed
| by the great temptation before them. They
are men of good standing in tho community
in which they live, and while they arc guilty,
even the terrible temptation which led them
on has not taken from them tho knowledge
Of tho wrong they have done. Tho minimum
penalty IL five years in State prison. That
Is long time and If they serve five years
they will satisfy the demands of justice.
As to Roath he Is u boy compared to the
others, and that bank he was connected with
WINS not only peculiarly situated, but was
| wickedly situated / am told that for Ave
years the directors Of the institution have
not met, and that the entire business of the
bank had been left to this boy. II Mech
and Webb could say in court they would say
that Roath was not so much to blame az
they, and l think the penalty of two or three
years in his case would be fair and reason
| able.
Judge Shipman said: "The plea of guilty
made promptly and without delay is gem
orally considered in favor of the accused
have given these cases considerable attention
and l do not think that the difference be-
| tween Roath and the others is so serious as
the attorney thinks it to be. The sentence
in the case of James nj. Mech is. that he
| be confined in the State prison for the term
| of five years. In the case of Charles Webb
| that he be confined in the State prison for
| the term of five years. In the case of Will