The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-30
EIGHT-PAGE EDITION

sad; The conviction OF this man will II,
nv opinion operate ss deterrent arainst
the commission oflike crimes BY notorietv-
loving cranks- Since the Prcndervast
trial has been in progress crsnks have
arisen al over the country, threatening
mayors. chiefs of Departments and men af
means This verdict will operate as life
insurance policy on their safety A verdict
oi acquitial on the ground Of insanity
voaia have been 8 sowing of drssouts
teeth. and threatened mayors and Others
woald have been in danger Of losing their
lives"
The members of the late mayors family
apparently expected such . verdict "a was
given, and seemed to derive little sa,isfac-
ton from the fact that the murderer was 10
die for his crime. feeling tha, only justice
had been done. Carter Harrison, jr., one
OF the propr'etors OF the TisEe.. In discuss
ing the verdict. said: al am not surprised
at the verdict. because 90 my mind there
has never been doubt as 10 the man's ls-
gal responsibility when he committed the
act | think the hanging verdict will have
most beneficial effect unon the vast army
who seek nosoriety by deeds of violence or
oy threatening men occupying high posi-
tions"
Please ask the gentleman 10 excuse me-
l would prefer not to see or talk with
anybody tonight" This was the verbal
response OF Prendcresst - he sat in his
cell tonight To q written message to the ef.
feet that the Associated Press would be
pleased TO receive any statement Prender-
CAST might be disposed TO make. The re-
porter who sent in the message followed
Night Jaiier Foltg into the cage aud heard
the reply rs above spoken in clear, calm
tone. very much as any man might decline
to be interviewed. Prendergast, when
removed from the court room. was
placed in cell No. IL. facing shs
visitors cage. Just inside the cell
he sat while outside was posted the death
watch. II the prisoner had any concep-
tion of the real significance Of this extra
watch he gave no sign. lie appeared per-
sectiy at ease. with not trace Of excite
menf. distress or anxiety upon his forbid
ding features, having had FIVE hours 70 re-
gain composure since the verdict was rem
dered. A few minutes after he was placed
in the cell his brother. John Prendergast,
was admitted. The brothers grasped hands
and neither spoke for q time. Then John
said: '.Don't lose hope. Gene; We will do
all We can for you" Later the assassin's
lawyers called and did what they could to
cheer him up. Tomorrow Prendsrgast
will be given cell in murderer row, and
viii have for his nearest neighbors
Painter and Higgins. two men under
death sentence for murder.
The Iatcr-Ocsan says: mo one who had
followed the case could have expected any
other result, and the public generally will
approve the verdict The only question
raised was as to the murdcrer's sanity,
a o ~ I>f- ~xxk& f-4t LII 49, - =
out q lunatic. that Is. . crank In the ordi.
nary acceptation of the term. That his
mind was constitutionally defective is no
doubt true. but the true object OF punish-
ment Is to protect society. and there il to-
day no greater menace TO human life than
the so-cailed cranks."
The Times says: Prendergast's convic-
t,on to death Is Q fatal blow to the plea OF
criminal lawyers, backed mp by opinion
atcd physicians, that ecccntricity Is q CON-
plete defense TO . charge of murder. 1t Ii
hoped now that the sentence may be
speedily executed. Let demonstration be
made that tho courts OF Illinois will not
connive at prolonging the worthless lite
Of . redhandsd murderer by entertaining
dilatory motions or by being hampered by
puerilites of . certain sort of criminal law.
NEW YORK. Dec. 29-Chauncey N. De-
pew, when called upon by an Associated
Press reporter and informed that Prender-
CAST had been convicted and sentenced to
death, said: .'You don't say sol This is
the first information have had Of such
verdict" ''Have you anything to say about
ii 2" was asked. "Yes, have. I would
say simply this: The verdict 10 very graf
flying to me, and should be so to every
citizen M q vindication OF the supremacy
OF the law. II is o verdict which does great
credit to Chicago. and demonstrates. as
did her action in the case of the anarchists.
her fearless and determined efforts TO make
her municipality safe for life and property.
That is all have to say"
Russell Sage was somewhat surprised
when informed Of the conviction Of Prem.
dergast. He said: "He deserves IL II ever
any one did His prctensions Of insanity
were made up IN order to gain the sympa-
thy of those who might believe In him.
think the influence OF the verdict will bc
wholesome. 1t will teach the masses to
have no sympathy for cranks; that they
are responsible to the law. which Is the
bulwark and protection OF our lives and
liberty. and its influence win be restrain
ing to cranks and make them lead the
lives OF good and respectable citizens"
MiDrIEEONNs ~. Iss DcC. -S--Of. Cctusn
II. Talco.t, who gave medical expert testl-
mony in the Guiteau trial, said; II think
Prenderga.t crank. His mind 10 un-
balanced, but think he should be held
responsible for the crime. The laws
should be 30 amended as to cover cases Of
this kind"
IspYAsAPoIIs, Dec 2o.-Ex-President
Harrison was asked this evening IL he had
heard the Prendergast verdict. "Yes."
he said. II have just glanced at It. but
have not read IL carefully" "Do you care
to express yourself regarding the yer.
dict % was asked. "So, do not care to
talk on the subject. ] have not followed
the trial closely, and am not prepared to
give an opinion. II was q murder trial.
and my views are probably the same ~
those of many other persons"
WAsHfSoros CIrY, Dec, 29.-Among the
mem oers Of the Illinois delegation the re-
sult OF the PrendsrRast trial was discussed
freely and vas generally commended.
Vice President Stevenson. speaking Of the
verdict. said: ''The verdict OF guilty was
universally expected. l am not familiar
with the expert testimony sdduced regard
ing the defendants sanity, bat his crime
was cold-biooded one and shocked the
entire country. I speak rather warmly.
because Carter HARRISON was my personal
frIend. The verdict seems 10 be just"
Representative J. Frank Aldrich, when
| informed Of the verdict. said; Ninety
nine out OF every hundred expected tAs
verdict. am not the least surprised az
shn sudsnx as ths 4.re 4 have foffnwed