The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-10-29

THAT suspicion, generally rests upon
the defense no one can deny. 1t is be-
lieved that the only explanation offered
is simply an attempt to break the force
of the coming disclosure. There was
manifest improperly in securing the SER
vices of an attorney to learn whether a
judge was prejudiced against litig ant
IN his court or not. While this is not
sufficient to explain the extraordinary
procedure of Judge Siebecker, it has
given edge to suggestion and has made
conjecture very unfavorable to the de-
Tense. Judge Siebecker need no longer
maintain silence for the purpose of dis
arming prejudice. Suspicion has done
all that it is possible for certainty TO do
in worse attitude before the public with
the worst surmlses confirmed than they
areat present. People have taken the
fragment of fact given and have develop
ed it in what they deem line of logical
sequence to a conclusion which is accept
ed as unquestioningly as if it was based
! on incontrovertible facts.
The case goes to trial with prejudice
against the defense fully as strong as
Siebecker intimated 1t would be against
the guilty party if the facts were known.
The whole advantage of the situation is
with the prosecution. Judge Siebecker's
silence does exactly for the defense what
he sought to avoid with reference to both
parties to the suit. The only explanation
offered thus far for his refusal to try the
case is entirely inadequate, but gives
direction 10 suspicion which it is not
slow to take. The suspicion, not the
facts as known, justifies the judge in act
ing as he did, and as it is human nature
to complete by conjecture what fact has
left unfinished, the action of the Judge is
balanced by the acceptance of the sus-
picion. Judge Siebecker can do no
wrong to the defense by stating the facts,
even though they be a confirmation of
what is suspected. His silence has the
full effect of accusation.
The Pilot always believed, and believes
now, that in fair and impartial trial of
the treasury cases the state could not re-
cover cent OF interest derived from the
general fund. Aside from the partisan
ship aroused by interested parties there
was sincere desire on the part of many
to have the cases tried on their merits,
and thus have determined the RESPONSE
bility of officers and the rights of the
state. A trial of this kind is now well
nigh impossible. To begin with, Harshaw
prejudiced the case of the treasurers by
denying the receipt of any interest money.
naturally weakened the case of the treas
urers and cast discredit on all their sub
equent statements. Now comes the la
ter revelation to increase disgust at the
mode of procedure, no matter which
party is guilty, of which, just now, there
seems to be but one opinion. II the de-
Tense is guilty of seeking to improperly
influence the court which was to conduct
the trial, the cases are already tried SO
far as public opinion goes, and its YER
dict has more potency than the decision
of any court, except as to the restitution
Of the money.
The old school of politics was Git may
now be spoken of in the past tense) a
vicious one. 1t recognized the omuipo
tence of money and degree of human
depravity which made money King.
Corrupt political methods blunted the
moral sensibilities to such an extent that
interested motive seemed to be the basis
OF all human action and honesty some
thing never beyond the reach of price.
Whatever the revelation in the matter
now absorbing public attention, blow
has been dealt to corruption from which
1t will be slow to recover. This. perhaps,
Will fully compensate for what now is be-
yond the reach of probability a fair adj
judicatIon of the treasury cases on their
lapal aSpepts