New-York tribune., 1886-05-18


The honest sentiment of New-YOrk is sat-
isfed that justice has been done in the result OF
Jaehne's trial, and it demands that he shall
speedily suffer the punishment his wicked
conduct has invited 1t will have in his case
no such spectacle as is presented by the un-
fettered but convicted Buddensiek turned 10 )se
upon the streets to the citys lasting shame.
While the bench of NewYOrk stands
d-servedly high in the public estimation for
its integrity as well as its learning, it contains
one or two noticeably amabe judges. 1t
should be understood that the people are in no
mood to stand release of Jaehne like that of
Buddensiek. The Broadway cOnspirators who
plundeIed the city and dragged its good name
in the dirt, whose infamy has at last, in the
face of tremendous obstacles, been demon
strated in high court of justice are even yet
boastng that they will nuify this righteous
verdict The judicial officer who enables them
to fulfil their arrogant defiance must realize
that he does it at serious risk to his reputation.
We make this statement calmly and after
cautious study of the questions and crcum-
stances involved in the trial. Dir. Justice
Barrett gave the defence every possible oppor-
tunity to establish its caae. He has reiI ak
points of law. 1t is a fact, wee believe, that he
has not had a single verdict overturned IN a
criminal case for the last fifteen years. His
notification to counsel yesterday that he had
since the verdict carefully reviewed all the
points of law that had been brought up. and
was entirely satisfied that he had not erred in
any decision is entitled to great weight. No
one better appreciates the issues at stake
betv cen the prisoner, the public and himself as
the judicial arbiter. 1t is safe to assume that
he undertook the trial determined that no
blunder of his should operate to the disadvan-
tage of the accused man on the one hand or the
State on the otl cr and the grand theory and
foundation of The law, which is impartial
jus ice supports every one of the decisions he
made.
The proceedings by which person convicted
of felony is released from prison peculiar
and designed to prevent judicial tyranny and
not TO defeat justice. certificate must hrst
be obtained from court declaring that there
is reasonable doubt that the verdict should
stand. Upon that stay of proceedings may
be granted and the prisoner may be admitted
to bail. But each of these orders is entirely
discretionary with the court. The law, pre-
sumIng that the high character and authority
Of a Supreme Court judge are of themselves a
guarantee against an unlighteOus use OF his
power, vests him with many extraordinary
discretions that permit him to intervene when
a verdict is cruel and wong. But this is no such
case. Bribery, as Judge Barrett truly said in
his charge to the jury, I" is species of moral
treason" and if unpunshed "wl destroy the
State" 1t is so dastardly crime as to be
alluded to specifically in the Constitution, and
its punishment cOndign and severe, is settled
upon in view both of the adherence in which
it should be held and of the great difficulties in
the way of its legal demonstration. The
evidence in Jaehne's case was conclusive, and
contradicted only by the prisoners denial. All
the moral effect of the laws victory will be lost
if this convicted scoupdrel escapes the just and
immediate penalty of his CRIME. Such
scandal must not be inflicted upon our city.
The people are nightly i'll earnest i'll their
determination to make a repetition of the
bribery outrage the most dangerous thing that
public knave can hereafter attempt.