The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-31

FALL RIVER, aug. sl.-Ine nrsC scene
In the great Borden drama is played and
the prosecution has rested.
But before the defence begins those who
have SO eagerly watched the course of the
hearing should sum up the case as it
stands and see whether their sentiment in
favor of Lizzie's innocence has not been
materially strengthened Some of Miss
Borden's opponents have very untruth-
fully said during the past two days that
the government was forging the chain of
evidence around her link by link. A
truer statement would have been that the
governments ground had been giving
way under it until it had really very little
to stand on.
Lay aside al feeling in this matter and
prosecution with the results OF its testi-
mony.
They stand somewhat thus:
First claim-motive for the crime.
Second claim-murder committed with
family weapons.
Third claim-evidences OF crime upon
LizZie's clothing.
Fourth claim--Lizzie's very contradic-
tory account of ber-actioHs that day.
As to the first claim it was exploded
completely when it was proven that Mr..
Borden had told no one that he thought
left.
The second claim was completely re-
futed by Prof. Woods testimony yester-
day. There was no blood on the hatchet
nor any signs OF any. This was not the
weapon used and the government must
find some other weapon. The second
claim was dead
The third claim was likewise refuted
by Prof Wood. There was no blond on
Lizzie's clothing or on her person except
a pin head lilo OF an inch across on her
white skirt, and Prof. Wood doesn't know
even that that Is spot OF human blood
That alone remains to be disposed of, and
1t seems of almost no value when it is re-
membered that her outward garments
show no signs Of blood, They would
have been bloody IL anything. The third
claim disappears.
The fourth claim never had foundation
save in imagination. The examination
of the stomachs of Mr. and Mrs. Borden
showed them to be normal aud entirely
without any signs of poison of any kind.
DIR. Bowen testified that their sickness
was such as was common and might have
been due to the hot weather. lizzie, too,
was sick. Would she be likely to take
food poisoned by herself? Aud so he
poison theory has gone the way of its
predecessors.
There remains the last and only real
evdence-that is Lzzie's testimony at
the inquest. For four days the prosecu-
tion has been working to show some
direct evidence against Miss Borden.
None has appeared. All hope for evidence
has failed, and the prosecution came to
point where something must be done. It's
officers had told all they knew Some of
them. notably Mr.. Harrington, seemed
TO tell more than he knew, for unless he
has n supernatural memory he could not
have related verbatim his conversation of
fifteen minutes with Lizzie on the day of
the murder. Human memory doesn't
work that way. Aud the evidence of this
officer lacked that element of uucer-
tainty which makes evidence of special
value.
Something must he done. What was
left for the prosecution Only one course
was open. IL must make the unfortu-
nate girl turn states evidence against
herself 1t must give the Judge sufficient
reason Tor committing the defendant
There was no way left except to make her
criminate herself If possible.
Does any one suppose that Mr.. Knowl-
ton would have used Lizzie's testimony
unless he mad been driven TO the wall and
had no other means of escape He has
given his whole case away by this act. IL
is n confession Of extraordinary weakness
on his part. and can be explained in no
other way.
But analyzc that testimony and con.
slider the surrounding circumstances The
witness is brought before the Judge with
out a friend TO attend hen and her parents
both lay dead and unburied. She had
seen them within few days lyirg i'm
pools OF blood, savagely butchered by
some inhuman criminal. Only few
moments before she had spoken TO them
alive. Is IL any wonder that her testi-
mony should be uncertainl Would any
one expect straightforward story under
such conditions.
Cruel however as these conditions
seemed there were others that must ap-
peal most strongly 10 every ones sense OF
Justice. Reference is made to the re-
fusal Of the Judge 10 allow her To have
counsel
Miss White, the stenographer, testifies
th q during the examination OF Miss Bor-
den.
Mr.. Knowlton was present.
Yet Miss Borden was refused her at
torney
Two police officers were present.
Yet secrecy demanded that Mr. Jen-
nings be refused admttance.
The marshal was present.
But no friend of Miss Borden's was ad-
United.
Aud lastly, "a stranger was present
and heard her testify.
A stranger could be admitted but the