The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1885-04-16
HIS BITTER PHILIPPIC.
THE Ex-PREsIDENT OF THE MARINE
BANK CASTIGATED IN COURT.
Fish Finally COnvicted-Disfrict Attorney
Roots Scafhing ExcOriation-Grant's
Good Name Defended-Other
metropolitan Items.

|
Roots scafhing Excoriation-Grant's
Coed Name Defended-Other
metropolitan Items.
NEW YORK, April AFTER a months
trial in the United States circuit court, be-
fore Judge Benedict ana jury, on tech
nical charge of the violation of the United
| States banking law, James D. Fish, ex-presi-
dent of the Marine bank, was, after mid
night Sunday morning, found guilty on eleven
| of the twenty five counts in the indict-
ment that was brought against him.
The United States circuit court was mere
| crowded Saturday than it has been on any
/ day since the Fish trial was begun. The
public was anxious to see the closing scene in
this cause celebre, and crowds were turned
away from the doors. District Attorney
Root resumed his address to the jury an
hour before the usual time, and from ID
o'clock to 5, with only a brief recess, he
poured a most bitter philippe on the lato
president of the Marine bank
''Tha5 man." said Mr.. Root, pointing to
Mr. Fish, who leaned back in bis chair and
seemed perfectly unmoved by the bitterness
of the attack, ''that man is ready to testify
to anything which he thinks will save him
from the pemtentiary. To the crime of de-
falcation he has added that of perjury. He
knew well enough that not dollar was spent
in the conduct Of the business of the firm
of Grant & Ward, business by the side of
which any other business in New York or
Chicago would fade into insigniicance. He
knew that not a cent had gone toward the
expenses Of freight of storage, of insurance
nfh -of,o oil IN,
on the smallest business. We are told Mr..
Fish believed that the. government was pay
ing enormous profits on these supposed con
tracts, because it could not buy in open mar
ket. Either he knew he was putting the
money of the bank into the hands of con-
federate to defraud the bank, or else he tried
TO cheat the United States government by
helping his confederate to carry out fraudu-
lent contracts His defense reduces itself
into this-that he knew the banks money
was being used in corrupt practices, un-
equalled since the days Of the Tweed ring.
Mr.. Smith said that the bank was wrecked
because James D. Fish believed Ward. say
it was wrecked because James D. Fish en-
tered into conspiracy with Ferdinand Ward
to rob the bank, to lend its money to carry
out contracts which he knew were fraudu-
lent. He deliberately allowed the firm of
which he was a partner to honeycomb the
bank; he deliberately embarked the funds in
trusted to his charge in fraudulent scheme
Whether he was deceived by Ferdinand
Ward or not, James D. Fish deceived the
directors of the bank, he deceived the stock
holders and the depositors. II he cannot be
punished for such course of fraud and de-
ceit then we can only say that the law of this
country Furnishes only the poor criminal and
allows the rich one to escape. He tells you
that Mr.. Meigs, the bank examiner, suggested
the evasion Of the law.in regard to the loans,
and drags in the name Of this dead officer to
defame the character offa man who cannot
defend himself. e. i;'a
!The relations between this man and Gen.
Grant and between Gen. Grant and Ferdi-
nand Ward haveno bearing on this issue
only refer to the generals name, for do
not wish that anything that may have been
said in this case about him may be supposed
to cast any imputation on the character of
that great man. Is this man to be acquitted
because Gen. Grant stands ON the same grade |
with him? In order to inculpate Gen. Grant |
in his fraudulent transactions he swears to |
you that in a letter referring to such transac-
tions when friend and partner was alluded
to, Gen. Grant was the person meant. This |
attempt to inculpate the general in this story |
of fraud and corruption as he stands on the |
brink Of the grave stamps the whole transac-
ton. There lay some dishonest reason back |
of their not telling Gen. Grant the condition
of affairs They knew that great heart would |
not stoop to their frauds; they knew his |
weakness lay in his steadfastness to his |
friends, aud his lack of suspicion which ap-
pears like the simplicity of a child, and when |
they knew that the bank must fail they let |
Ward go to Gen. Grant and persuade him to
borrow Sl50, 900 from personal friend.
81 do not know in the records of business
treachery any story that can parallel this |
treatment of u simple and great soldier by
those two conspirators. Forever be sunk
into infamy the ignoble soul that would seek
to besmirch that great reputation, which is
the glory of c U country, for the sake of gain
by petty treat heries, faithlessness to trust
and lying devices"
In concluding his address to the jury the
attorney said: "James D. Fish stands here
for your Judgment, Us he must some day stand
for the Judgment Of that God whose name he
has profaned n the witness stand. On your
verdict depends the value of trusts; Oh your
verdict hangs the reputation of this city
aye, and of the country, too"
Judge Denedict's charge occupied over an
hour in delivery and the jury retired for
For nearly sis hours longer Fish lounged
about the court room with his hands in his
overcoat pockets, and chatted with his law
yers and friends as to his chances He did
not seem to be greatly disturbed in mind.
When the jury finally fled in he dropped his
half smoked cigar and looked with seeming
upon the men who had his fate
in their hands. - =
The jury announced, in response to the
question Of Clerk Shields, that they found
Mr.. Fish guilty ON eleven of the twenty-five
counts IN the Indictment.
On each count he is liable to imprisonment
for not less than five nor moro than ten
years.
Fish took his sentence stoically. He said
nothing, but looked at his lawyers, who gath
cred about him. He was at once given over
TO the care of Marshal Jeffries, who took
him to Ludlow street Jail, where he will re-
main pending an application for admission
to bail.
Gen. Porter's Gloomy Picture.
NEW YORK, April a Gen. Grant slept in
his chair from midnight until $50 a. M, dis