The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-07-11
Mr.. Archer Pleads GuiltY.

Last Tuesday was the day set for the trial
of Ex-Treasurer Stevenson Archer, for en-
bezzlemeut and appropriation to his own use
Of funds belonging to the State OF Maryland.
On Monday. by agreement of counsel, Mr..
Archer appeared in the Criminal Court of
Baltimore city, before Judge Stewart, and
plead guilty to the charges laid in the in
dictment. The plea was in the form of a
written confession. 1t was read by Mr.. Ber-
nard Carter, one Of Mr.. Archer's counsel.
The paper was as follows:
Hon. Willians a. Stesoart, Judge Of the Grim
inal Courtof Baltimore City:
1 hereby plead guilty to the indictment
spectfully ask leave to say that when the in
dictment was found I was advised by my
counsel that they had examined the statute
upon which the Indictment was based, and
that they were clearly of the opinion that
the statute was never intended to embrace
within its provisions the Treasurer of the
State, and that, therefore, my offense, griev-
Gus as it il, was not punishable under the
statute; but, now that the highest court in
the State has decided that if am guilty of
the offenses charged, am punishable under
that statute, desire here in the presence of
this court fully to acknowledge that am
guilty of the offences charged against me in
the indictment, and also to confess that /
have beeu guilty of great sin against AL
mighty God that have proved false to the
great trust committed to me by my native
State; that have deeply and cruelty wrong
ed, not only those friends who, because of
their great and undoubting confidence in my
integrity, became the sureties on my official
bonds, but others also who have suffered
pecuniary loss because Of that same conf
dence.
For this my conduct can offer no excuse
or palliation. Now that have, go to speak,
come to myself, ! realize its enermity, and
am deeply sorry for, and sincerely trust
truly penitent of all l have done.
The sorrow and misery which have been
caused by my conduct are shared by many,
but no blame for any part of it attaches to
anyone but myself it is all mine, and mine
alone.
No part of the States money or securities
was ever used by me in gambling, stock
speculation or for political purposes, nor
have at this time one dollar of it left. I,
therefore, submit myself to the judgment and
mercy of the court. STEVENSON ARCH Err.
When he had finished reading Mr.. Carter
asked that the paper be filed. Judge Stew
art ordered this to be done and added: 81
will impose the penalty of five years in the
Penitentiary upon Stevenson Archer"
As soon as Judge Stewart had spoken Mr..
Archer arose from his seat, which he had &C.
cupied with bowed head, and leaning upon
the arms of friends who had accompanied
him into court, left the court room. These
friends were COL E. 81. Webster, s. A. Will
liams. Benjamin Silver. Jr, and Bernard Car
ter.
From the court room be was driven in q
carriage, with deputy sheriff, to the peni-
Tertiary, where he was subjected to all the
rules of that institution. Mr.. Archer being
greatly Frustrated by the intense strain to
which he had been subjected in the effort to
control bis feelings, was mercifully sent to
the hospital.
Thus has ended the last act in the mourn
full drama in which Stevenson Archer has
been SO prominent character.
He sinned and he is suffering. God in
mercy has made the two inseparable. By his
confession he cannot make restitution for his
wrong-doing, nor escape penalty of violated
law, but if, as we earnestly hope, his confess
sion proceeds from sincerely penitent heart,
there can be no doubt that he has been &C.
quilted by the Merciful Judge, in that high
court above, before which we must all ap-
pear, and our plea, Ike his, can only be for
mercy.