New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-05
MERCER NOT GUILTY.
PROMPT VERDICT IN THE CASE OF TIE
EXPREMIER OF QUEBEC.

THE INDICATED STATESMAN CARRIED on THE
SHOULDERS OF ADHERENTs. FOLLOWED BY
CHEERING THOUSANDS. FROM THE
COURT TO TIE HOUSE OF FRIEND
WHERE HE MAKES SPEECH
Quebec. Nov. A." Not guilty" was the verdict
given late this afternoon by the jury in the
MERCER case. On the opening Of the Criminal
Court this morning, Judge Wertelc gave his de-
cison, denying the application of Mr. Fitzpat-
rick one of the counsel for the defence, that
the cases Of MERCER and Pacand be not given
TO the jury, but that they be dismissed Mr..
Fitzpatrick then addressed the jury. lie declared
that it WAS clear that the Crown had not lost
a single fve-ccnt piece, ard that il was also
clear there were no fraudulent combinations be
tween MERCER and Pacsud. Mr.. Stewart
then spoke behalf Of the Crown.
Referring to the fact that Langais himself had
testified that when his contract was made with the
Government the offices full Of stationery.
Mr.. Stuart asked Where was the need, then,
of such contract? Why were the parties con-
cerned so greedy to conclude il The fact was
he went on to say, mot much paper was
needed as there was money wanted. j. \. Bel
leau, who followed Mr. Stuart ridiculed the state
ment that the French-C anadian race would bc dis
graced il the man WHO now awaited the verdict
Of his countrymen We're condemned. At the close
of his address Justice Wurtele began his address
TO the jury.
After reviewing the whole of the evidence, the
Judge said: The defendants are accused i'll
this of having de1rauded the Province OF
1000. and also of having defrauded a savings
bank of an equal sum Now, as the Langlais
contract not carried out, and as the Govern
ment did net pay that amount, the accused can
10. tl,at had Nipic pan
perform an acr like the one before without
the consent of his colleagues, nor can Ministry
perform such an act without the consent of the
representative of the Queen in the person of the
Lieutenant- & vernor. There is possibility of
there having been any conspiracy to deirand
the Province OF $4,000 As for the other accn-
sation, &c all know Pacaud got $4,000
Whether this was for his own personal use or
for election purposes docs not matter; the offence
is the same. What you have TO decide now Is
whether or not there was a combination between
Mercie, AMI Pacau, to defraud the CaiSse
d Economie.'
When the Judge had finished his charge. he
asked the jury if they wished 10 retire lhey
answered, Yes, for ten minutes The Jury |
went to their loom at 5:45 p III. On their re-
turn. Ten minutes later, the clerk OF the court
first challenged the jury IN French. Non
clerk challenged the jury in English, the spokes-
man replying, Not guilty.
As the jurymen were taking their seats Mer-
ciers lips were seen to culver, and Oh the an |
nouncement of the verdict he became extremely |
pale Immediately his lawyers followed by his |
friends pressed around him, shaking his hands
and shOwerng their congratulations upon hiui' |
Outside, in the corridors. hurrahs for the ex-
Premier rent the air, while the thousands OF
persous assembled in the streets in front Of the !
tourt House shouted at the tops Of their voices
\ few minutes later q squad oil Provincial police
cleared the doorway, apd MERCER appeared with |
his lawyers. Then the noise became deafenInS. |
-Four burly fellows hoisted the ex-Prcinier ON
their shoulders, and the crowd, forming in pro- |
ccssion proceeded along ST. l.ouisst, shouting |
4" iIurrah for Mercer." Down with Angers."
" Down with the Provincial executiones ami
other fervent cries. The procession turned down
1Iss Scus s?d wfqdR f M IF e9 at
was kept up, however. until MERCER made his APP |
pearance at WINDOW bo"ing u '"o '"''''"s
multitude, he said: ia |
II thank you. gentlemen thanK YOU inii
nitely for this spontaneous movement OF lriehn,
ship I thank you, moreover, f9r having saNcu
The prosecution was subjected 10 originated AZ
Snenccrwood the residence Of the Lieutenant |
Governor OF Quebec, and was continued by men
unworthy Of the high position they actually oc- |
cmnv: hit thank God that the great voice Of the |
ncpnIc has spoken and | an still free, man"
While Mr. MERCER was speaking, the cheering
was kept mp unceasinsv ard cries OF hnrrhh lor
Morcer." and Down with tyrants"' etc, came
from every direction.
J. l. Tarte Editor OF Ie Canadicn,' was the |
NEXT sneaker lie said There is still Justice
in Quebec, hut don't owe il TO judges. r
IanaIicr and Messrs. Grccnshield and LemieuN
two of Mercers counsellors, also addressed me
crowd A great demonstration in honor Of Mcr-
ccr j. To be held tomorrow night