The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-01
The tonnage was as follows:
JUSTICE AsTRAY.
How 1t Was Administered by South.
ern Backwoods Dogberry.

Grn BaCKWOOQS DCED6rrY.
From the Nelo YorI: Recorder.
There was once in Mississippi justice Of
the peace who needed no clerk to write him
down an ass. He attended to that clerical
duty himself. His district was interior and
remote from the centers Of intelligence. 1t
was far away in the wild woods. No lawyer
dwelt in those parts, and the prevalent idea
of Justice and the modes of administering it
we're primitive and somewhat arbitrary.
There were no railroads, telegraphs, or
rapid mails to spread intelligence as in these
palmy days
A man in the neighborhood of this mod
ern Dogberry had the misfortune to take
the life of a fellow-nan, and the function
airy had him brought up for trial. He ex-
amined the witnesses on both sides, made up
his miud that the homicide was unjustifia-
bic and condemned the prisoner to be hanged
by the neck until dead. The sentence al
lowed the man but few days more of life
and the condemned begged for a little more
time. He told the court tearfully that his
crop was about ready to be harvested and
he hoped for the sake Of his wife and chill
dren his honor would spare his life until
that duty could be performed. 1t was the
last service he should ever render to those
nearest and dearest to him.
Friends interceded and the judge re-
Tented. He granted the doomed man a re-
spite Of thirty days and discharged him on
his own recognizance, after exacting a SOL
emn pledge that he would appear promptly
on the day appointed and be hanged.
political campaign was in progress that
fall. Gov. Matthews, a popular stumper,
was in the field and happened to have an APP
pontment at the time and place fixed for
the execution. While he was chatting with
group of rustic adherents a wagon drawn
by two oxen was observed slowly approach
lug.
AS it drew near il was seen to be occupied
by man, q woman, and several children.
They we're all weeping bitterly, and the
wife chung to the husbands neck. The lat
ter was pale AMI haggard. He stopped his
wagon as bystander (he was the justice)
called out:
80 you've kept your word. Charliep
yes" said the condemned, with deep
sob. I'm q man of my word; I'm ready to
die"
Here the walls of the wife and the little
ones became heartrending.
why, what's all this" said Gov. Mat
thews.
It's hangin',n some one answered.
But is it all regular" said the governor,
VINO was good criminal lawyer.
~, yes, it's all right. JedGe Smith knows
what he's about"
Who's Judge SmithF
He's our jestice NV the peace"
:, And did he try this man" continued
matthews, becoming very much interested
IN the proceedings. But be could get no at
IGNITION for the procession was now forming
10 convey the prisoner to the place of exc
cution.
Inc governor followed along, half dazed
Dy the amusing procedure and half believ-
ing 1t was all practical Joke. But it was
al IN dead earnest. A gallows had been
erected, and, when the place was reached
we prisoner was made to stand up and the
Justice, assisted by his nervous constable,
ued his hands behind his back, bandaged
us eyes, and was beginning to adjust the
voice:
l.. bold on there, Mr., Justtce Will you
Ns zen to me Just a momentp
wen, what Is it, guv'nerW
w nat is the mans crimeN
hlHn another man."
now was he trleds"
u l Tried him and sentenced him to die.
Ne guilty. guv'ner. It's ali right
=, out IT'S not all right" answered Mat
ue"S' ITS all wrong. Don't you know
grand jury must indict man before he
can be tried for homicidel Don's you know
No ne can only be tried in the circuit court?
D9ht yon know you can only send him to
-: M or bind him over to await the action Of
' tue grand jury? DON'T you know that if
yy ou laKe this mans life you will be indicted
'ot murder yourselfF
Is mat 80, guv'ner?' said the justice as
W. as ne could recover breath.
prisoner loose.