Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-06-20

New BEDFoRD, MASS, June 10
The day Of arguments in the Borden
case brought out a terrific jam at the
court house, and over an hour before
the time Of opening, the doors were be-
seiQed by people. mostly ladies in holi-
day attire, all hoping for seats. But
there were too few seats for the accom-
modation Of a tenth part Of the claim
ants. and there was much grumbling In
consequence.
When Sheriff wright came in, the
aisles were cleared in second, and
everybody was obliged to sit down.
The Jury took their seats at S:55, look
ing quite refreshed after two days rest,
and a few minutes later Miss Borden
came in, a bunch Of pinks in her hand
and a contented smile on her face.
The jury was polled promptly on the
opening OF court, and almost immedi-
ately Gov. Robinson began his argu-
ment. He said:
GOV. ROBINSON's ARGUMENT.
MAY it please your honors Mr.. Fore
man and gentlemen One Of the most das-
tardlv and diaboical crimes ever commit
ted in Massachusetts was perpetrated IN
August, lS32. in Fall River The enormity
oftt startled everybody Every man feels
that the wrong should be righted and the
wicked brought 70 justice Here was
crime with all its horrors and "whO could
have done such an act." says everybody.
In the quiet OF a home, in the broad day
lixht. on the streets Of a populous city,
who could have dOueitl Inspection showed
Mrs. Borden had been slain by the use OF
some sharp instrument and below stairs
was MIR. BOrden's mutilated body. The
terrors of those scenes no language can
portray and we are challenged at the OUT
set 10 ind ont who was equal 70 that enor-
nifty, whose whole heart IS olackened with
crime. A maniac, not man OF sense ana
heart; a lunatic, devil
Tracing the course Of all suspected per
sons from the preliminary nearing 70 IhlS
trial the speaker said thaJin all those pro-
ceedngs the prisoner mad no voice, tne
government said II we can't prove II
against her she shall 90 free, but It was
sided and you are TO draw no luiorma-
tion whatever from those proceedings OF
the preliminary hearings. We would not
be safe if In those great crimes our lives
hung on the words OF . single man. We
come here 20 seek freedom and rlght
through you gentlemen As you begin 70
contemplate this crime you must say such
acts are physically and morally impossible
for this yOung woman. lt is wreck OF
human morals 20 say this of her. The de-
fense complains Of no persecution on the
mart Of the District Attorney. lie has
only one duty 70 do and with MS well
earned fame at the bar be has has no need
10 search for fame. aud be viii 0e the last
maa 70 attempt such. He STANDS above
such things, and SAYS all l have Is the
case as liz il. and as 10 was brought me by
the police Of Fall River. he is not here
for blood. neither is he helped FOR that
purpose oy our friend from Essex county.
So YOU see no small play, no mean tao
tics on the part of the commonwealth;
only a presentation Of what has been pro-
we'd here aud and only that
AwORD ABOUT THE POLICE.
Here the speaker referred TO the kindly
manner In which the sheriff had used Miss
Borden, ana said: She came IN this court
presided over by our sblest justices, who
want the commonwealth case tried fairly
and now YOU AL0 QAAN 70 ANaA VIZ Aag
facts i said the case was brought here by
the Fall River police. ] haven't time 20
20 into sarcasm and denUuciauon; the
blue coat and brass buttons cover up what
Is inside The Oficer is always magnify
ing this and minimizing that, and looking
for the one who committed the deed upon
which they are 40 work. The witness
stand brings out their weakness when they
knock their own heads together, but after
All they show themselves 20 oe only men
with human weakness. SO say 70 you
this defendant comes perfectly satisfied
with the Jury. You are men, Bristol cOun-
" men, with hearts, heads, souls and right
minds, and you come here IA obedience 70
the laws, because in answer % their de-
mands you must render this great service
ii you are loyal 20 the state and 20 com-
mon humanity. Then bring your hearts,
YOUR heads and your intehects here and
let Us talk 70 YOU IS meu.
Lizzie A. Borden has been in your charge
from the day we opened this case, and now
comes the time when not alone are lawyers
10 speak for her and the justices 70 speak,
but YOU twelve men take her Ia charge
She is not the property OF anybody, but
free, intelligent innocent woman 10 your
charge This woman has never been alone
in this court room, but has been watched
over carefully. You are trying this wo-
man for her life, and you are bound 70 say
Il will critically consider this question,
and Twill make no mistake;n for II you do,
no power on earth can right il. The man
] want 70 see in the Jury box Is be who
saws, as you have said, that he has read
and had opinions, but you were capable OF
using common sense. The man i don't
ike to see is the one who is like piece Of
putty that takes the impression Of the last
one who comes 10 contact with him.
Every man OF you is man enough, when
some one presents an idea m your inry
room that is not in the case, 70 say so. lt
IS not your business 10 uDravel the mys-
terry. but simply 10 say IS this woman
guilty: that's all, and though the real
criminal shall never be found, better that
than that YOU should lind a wrong YER
dict
always PRESUMED TO BIS INNOCENT.
There always goes with any person the
presumption Of innocence of crimes. That
is the prisoners bulwark. It started with
her from the days she was taken 10 charge,
and it never leaves her until that presump-
ton is overcome and she Is declared guilty.
II YOU are asked 10 convict upon any evil
dence YOU will look 10 see II 10 MS IN aud
whether the chain is complete before YOU
make I'D your mind. You must leave out
rumors. reports, statements which you
heard before the trial commenced aud leave
out every single thing watch Mr. Moody
said be was going 70 prove. unless he dio
a. He has spoken for the Commonwealth
and the Commonwealth expects him 70 do
lust what be said he was going 70 do. He
SAID be would complain and prove this de-
fendaRt was preparing q dangerous wea-