The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-01
TRIAL OF SULLIVAN.
Guilty" Responded John L.
in a Sturdy Voice.
sEes THE COURT FOR MERCY.
The Attorney General Is So Kind That
Tears Roll Down the Cheeks
of the Conqueror.
Purvis Special, June "a.

Purvls special, June "A.
Long before court met this morning il
was generally understood that the Sullivan
trial would take a sensational turn, and
when Judge Terrell raped for order the
courtroom was packed.
The first case on the docket was that OF
the State VS.. John Lawrence Sullivan, and
District Attorney James III. Neville COM
manded Sullivan to stand up. The district
attorney read the Indictment, and looking
Sullivan in the face asked:
What say you, John L. Sullivan, are
you guilty or not guilty"
Guilty" responded Sullivan, in firm
voice; and turning to Judge Terrell, Sulli-
van said:
IF your honor please. may address
the court?"
The court would be pleased to hear
from you, Mr.. Sullivan" said the Judge,
and Sullivan then proceeded.
In entering the plea of guilty, do so with an
humbleness of heart, and ask for the leniency
Of the court | realize the fact that have done
wrong and violated the laws of Mississippi. but
assure your honor that IL was uninieutlonal
on my part, and it will never occur again
Since the beginning OF this trouble / have
suferea awful punishments, which have told
upon me severely and beseeeh the court TO
be as light as possible in this unfortunate
affair. remain your obedient servant,
JOHN j. SULLIVAN.
After few moments silence ex-Attor-
ey-General Ford, who represented the de-
PENDANT, arose and said:
with the kind permission of the court,
l desire To submit a few remarks, and Ia
doing SO dc not address the court as an
attorney, but as a citizen. Ever since my
first acquaintance with the defendant,
John Lawrence Sullivan, have felt keeii
interest in him. / DO not care to dwell
upon the circumstances of the alleged
prizefght or upon matters connected.
Herewith further tir&0 TO state that Mr.
Sullivan was compelled 10 either forfef}<X
large sum OF money or violate our laWK
'.Of course this argument will not stand
IN law, but human nature is so constituted
that very few men would have acted in any
other way than the course pursued by Mr..
Sullivan. / will alse call the courts atsen-5
ton to another matter, and | know your
honor is charitab.y disposed. Since the
beginning of these troubles Mr.. Sullivan
has been in ill-health and has suffered the
loss of his mother, and if there is anything
on the face of the earth that man loves it
is his dear old mother at this moment a
very dear relative lies in the balance be-
tween life and death, and it shows nerve to
stand up under all Affections. In closing
my remarks permit me TO quote that oft
told maxim: TO err is human; to forgive
divine 1now consign my client to the
tenderest mercies of the court"
buiilS JGdSS COTQ TcIudfkS tears were
seen to trickle down the big cheeks of the
Boston boy, and he was compelled to hide
his face in handkerchief. For about five
minutes there was death-iike silence in
the courtroom. and the silence was becom-
ing oppressive when Judge Terrell arose
and commanded Sullivan 10 stand. The
big fellow sprang to his feet and gazed out
OF the window.
MIR. Sullivan" began the judge, II am
truly sorry that you are in such bad pre-
dicament In fact. / am sorry to see any
human being step from the path of righte-
BUSINESS and commit an EVIL deed; but /
am confronted by the will of the people
the law that protects society-and am
compelled to enforce it. / extend to you
my heartfelt sympathy in your bereave-
ment, something which every man has to
bear, and truly hope that you will reform
and become better man.
I'm obedience to ny own convictions
and those of the leading citizens, impose
upon You fine of 500, upon the payment
of which into the county treasury the
sheriff will release you from custody"