The record-union., 1893-12-30

sage followed Night Jailer Foltz into the
cage and heard the reply as above, spoken
In clear, calm voice, very much as any
man might decline to be interviewed.
Prendergast, when removed from the
courtroom, was placed in cell No. IL, fac
ing the visitors cage. Just inside the
cell he sat, while outside was posted
death watch. If the prisoner had any
| conception Of the real significance of this
extra watch he gave no sign. He ap-
peared perfectly at ease, with no trace Of
excitement, distress or an 1iety upon his
forbidding features, having had five
hours to regain his cOmposure since the
verdict was rendered. A few minutes
after he was placed in the cell his brother,
John Prendergast, was admitted. The
brothers clasped hands, and neither
spoke for some 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 Prendergast will be given
cell in murderers' row, and will have
tor his nearest neighbors Painter and
Higgins, two men under death sentence
for murder.
HIS SENTENCE COMMENDED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Among the
members OF the Illinois delegation the re-
suit OF the Prendergast trial was discussed
freely, and was generally commended.
Vice President Stevenson, speaking of
the verdict, said: 1.-The verdict of guilty
was universally expected. / am not
familiar with the expert testimony ad-
duced regarding the defendants sanity,
but his crime was a cold blooded one and
shocked the entire country. L speak
rather warmly, because Harrison was my
personal friend. The verdict seems to be
just"
Representative ]. Frank Aldrich, when
informed of the verdict, said: Ninety
nine out OF every hundred expected the
verdict. l am not in the least surprised
at the finding of the jury. l have fol-
lowed the case in the papers very closely,
and am convinced that there were no
grounds for clemency. The defense GER
tainly made no case of insanity, and my
convictions would have to be very ma
terially changed if were to say anything
against the verdict"
Representative Lane said: 1.-The verdict
expressed my sentiments. 1 indorse it
fully. There is no question as to Prem
dergasts guilt"
Representative John S. Black said: 81
speak not as a lawyer, for l have not fol-
lowed the testimony in the case, but as
citizen, having formed some impressions
from what [ have read and heard, |
should say the verdict was righteous, and
rived at the correct conclusion"
Secretary of State Gresham said he had
not been closely following the newspaper
reports of the trial, and therefore declined
to express an opinion of the result.
Chief Justice Fuller asked to be excused
from expressing an opinion on the case.
1t is not impossible the case may be car
ried to the United States Supreme Court,
and the Chief Justice probably did not
want to pass judgment on the case, which
may afterWard come before him officially.
DEPEW GRATIFIED AT THE VERDICT.
NEW YORK, Dec. 29.-Chauncey NJ.
Depew, when called upon by an Asso-
ciated Press reporter and informed that
Prendergast had been convicted and SEN
fenced to death, said: 'You don't say so.
This is the first information l have had
of such verdict"
'Have you anything to say about it?'
"Yes, | have. | would say simply this.
The verdict is very gratifying to me, and
should be so to every citizen as Yindica-
ton OF the supremacy Of the law. 1t is
verdict which does great credit to Chi
cagO, and demonstrates, as did her action
in the case of the anarchists, her fearless
and determined effort to make her
municipality safe for life and property.
That is all | have got to say"
Russell Sage was somewhat surprised
when informed of the conviction of Prem
dergast. He said: II think he deserves
it, if ever anyone did. His pretensions
of insanity were made up in order to
gain the sympathy of those who might
believe in him. l think the influence of
the verdict will be a wholesome one. 1t
will teach the mass to have no sym
pathy for cranks; th they are respons-
ible to the law, which is the bulwark and
protection of our lives, liberty and its in
huenees. 1t will be restraining to them,
and make them lead the lives OF good and
respectable citizens"
EX-PRESIDENT HARRISON WILL EXPRESS
NO OPINION.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 29.-Ex-President
Harrison was asked this evening if he had
heard of the Preudergast verdict YES"
he said.s"I have just glanced at it, but
have not read it carefully"
''Do you care to express yourself re-
garding the verdict ?'' was asked.
mo, l do not care to talk of the SUBJ
iect. l have not followed the trial closely,
and am not prepared to give an opinion
1t was murder trial, and my views are
probably the same as those of many other
persons"