Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1893-11-29
A SURPRISING VERDICT.

@A nNANt IT.
 The verdict in the ease of E. W.
 French, charged with forgery, seems
 to be a great surprise to the com
 munity, and particularly to all who
 heard the testimony given, or who
 have read 1t, as published exclusive
 Iy m the JoURNAL-MNER. In fact
 the only people who do not seem
 surprised at the result of this trial
 are the twelve men who returned
 the verdict. The names of these twelve men, who took a solemn
 oath to return a verdict in accord
 ance with the law, and the evidence introduced, are as follows:
 Daniel Lower, Thomas j. Dunkle,
 L. NJ. Bates. B. c. Knapp, E. K. Marsh, John Krellin, Albert Melrord
 William Peat, Chas. II. Bennett, J
 l.. Hall, J. L. Wren, s T Ellidge.
 That the crime of forgery was
 committed, even these men will ad-
 mt. This fact was certainly estab- hshed very clearly. It was also es- abolished by undisputed evidence. that the defendant in the ease had pue notice of the closing of the school ia Tip Top district, at the expiration of the eight months term, and therefore he must have had full and clear knowledge of the fact that the ninth voucher was fraudulent Notwithstanding this. warrant was issued on this voucher. and the county school superintend- ent presented this warrant for pay ment; he received the money on it. and has made no accounting Of the money so received.
 With the motives which actuated the jury in their action, the JourNAL- MINER has nothing to say. Some of the jurors are total straug gers to us. while others who are known nave always been looked upon as hoaor- able and upright citizens. But while not willing to ascribe any wrong motives to them, We uuhesi- tatingly assert that their action re- suited in a miscarriage of justice, and tends to bring the jury system into further disrepute with the pub lic, and to make farce of cour, and law.
 The only evidence available in any forgery case usually, and pon which thousands of people nave been convicted and are now serying terms, is proof of the forgery os the ! instrument, and that the party ac- l 'used was the beneficiary ol the 1 act, which was proven in this ease.
 In today's issue will be found the l report of the expert appointed to examine the records of the ollic, of | he county school superinten, ent. 1t shows, from even incomplete re- ports from the various districts. hat he county has been robbed of hun ireds of dollars. In no single case. probably, is there any more con 'incing evidence, that the co intv chool superintendent was guilty of he fraud CT responsible for the ounty school fund being def, lud- d out of this amount, than in the ase recently tried.
 In one of the cases cited bv the 'xpert it seems that dummy loard f trustees, and a dummy teacher Tas maintained in animaginary dis rict from which about $500 was aken from the school funds of the ounty. In another district war ants, amounting to Sl50, were rawn in favor of teacher who was robably never in the limits oi the ,hool district in her life, but in all , vents never taught a day ther,. | This report certainly shows a rot 'n and corrupt condition of affairs s l the administration of school af- Iirs of the county, and it is a most ' condition of affair, that le responsibility can not be located ! the party responsible for it, who 'er he may toe. |