Morning journal and courier., 1892-08-16
MISS BoRDRN,s TRIAL.

MISS BORDEN's TRIAL.
Before Judge BIaisdens-Doubs
About the Young Woman's Guilt
She Receives Kind Treatment In
Jail-Letters OF Consolation FIRE.
quentIy Received.
FALL RIVER, Aug. 15.-The most i'm
portant subject tonight is that relating to
the prospects for securing an impartial
preliminary hearing for Miss Lizzie A.
Borden next Monday. The point raised by
Counsel Jennings has started a discussion.
The Daily News puts the matter in the best
| light as follows
| There is a general opinion among law
yers and citizens that Judge Blaisdell
should not preside over the preliminary
examination on Monday next. This state
ment is made, it was argued, by Mr.. Jen-
niDgs on Friday without the intention of
casting any personal reflections upon the jus
tice. 1t is only urged, because having heard
the governments side of the case that was
presented in its fullest and strongest light,
he must be prejudiced in forming his opin-
ion; in fact, in consenting to a warrant,
he has already made his opinion public.
1t is argued that whoever the Justice may
be he would find the accused probably
guilty" The case may have the fullest
exposure and ventilation before the court
has power to take jurisdiction should guilt
be established.
One of the strongest believers in Miss
Borden's innocence raised this point to-day:
Miss Lizzie and her truest friends should
court the fullest Investigation. When she
Is acquitted her innocence should be so
fully established that not a shadow of sus-
picion can remain against her.
1t was urged, however, that the prisoner
had the right to have sufficient govern
ment evidence exposed to indicate what
line of action was to be pursued; to know
what line of defense she must prepare to
meet 1t. At hearing before justice who
Is ignorant of all the real facts more would
have to be exposed to warrant her holding
than at hearing before a justice who is
already fully informed as to the govern
ment's case. The object of the govern
ment should be the conviction of the guilty
rather than the establishment that Ii has
not been in error thus far.
PRINCIPAL TOPIC OF CONVERSATION.
This opinion is the principal topic of the
conversation in club circles tonight and
may be taken as q severe reflection upon
the statutes of the state which allow a dis
trict justice to preside at all inquests and
conduct all preliminary trials. Among
those who are most intimate with Judge
Blaisdell, the presiding justice, 1t is con-
tended that no better man could sit in the
case to determine her probable guilt or in
nocence. He is allied with the best fami-
lies in the city and holds high social po-
sition. In addition, he had been heard to
express an opinion on the case before Miss
Lizzie was strongly suspected, which was
entirely in her favor. The case as
sumes no new features as the time of
the hearing draws nigh. 1t has been
noticeable here since yesterday forenoon
that intelligent persons have ceased giving
positive opinions on the merits of the case.
Temperate minded people will not talk at
length about facts, but will argue that no
fairer trial can be secured than may be
had in this city. There has never been
any intense feeling here against Miss
Borden, despite the weight of the charge
made against her. The most prominent
lawyers have changed their opinions on
the merits of the case since District At
torney Knowlton ordered the arrest. An
other topic of discussion relating to the
crime is the small bail furnished by the
HltucsSts, Mies auu 1I.
Morse, being held in $500 each.
MARSHAL billiards STATEMENT.
Marshal billiards. statement concerning
the published opinions of the various news |
papers of the country has given rise to |
much speculation as to the character of |
the evidence that the prosecution can sub |
NIT at the trial. 1t will be of positive |
M III yrtl ha hos n1 nn SfatA aa1.
by Bridget Sullivan relating partially to |
Miss Lizzie's manner before and after the |
crime, her instructions to wash windows
in remote parts of the house; also her con-
duct toward her stepmother the past six
months.
KIND TREATMENT TO MISS LIth his
Miss Emma Borden, who wene relief -
ton to visit her sister as usual, cried Ter
in an unchanged franc of mind. She is
being accorded the kindest possible treat
ment by the sheriff and his wife, the latter |
particularly offering much motherly con-
ISOLATION, which is being well received. To- |
day Mr.. Morse went toward Winter street |
to examine a tenement. He declined to |
say why he went, but it is conjectured |
from the msnners of the writer's informs-
ton that the family dielike to remain in a |
uOusc WucIc tucy uust Dc tuOloClco COu-
tinuously to the public gaze and police sur
veillance.
VERDICT WILL BE PROBABLY GUILTY.
The preliminary trial is not now regard |
ed as of especial importance in fixing the
responsibility of the crime except that it
gives the defense an opportunity to meas
ure the strength of the governments case.
1t is an even chance that the verdict will |
be probably guilty. If the verdict should |
be probably not guilty the government
could still insist on placing the case before
the grand jury and demand an Indictment
over discharge ordered by a lower court.
This fact makes some acquaintsnces of the
family insist that no fairer man than Judge
Blaisdell could bs procured for their inter
ests.
CHRISTIAN EHDEAvoRERs sYMPAIHIZE.
The following was sent to Taunton Jail
this morning: eve, the members of the
Young Peoples Society of Christian En-
desvor, desire to extend to our fellow
member, Miss Lizzie A. Borden, our ain
cere sympathy with her in her present
hour of trial and our confident belief that
abe will soon be restored To her plane of