The morning call., 1893-12-30
VIEWS ON THE VERDICT.
1t Will Act as a Check to Murderous
Cranks.

CHICAGO, Dec. 29.-In an interview to-
night Attorney Trude said: 'The convic-
tion of this man will, in my opinion.
operate as deterrent against the commits
sion of like crime by notoriety-loviDg
cranks. Since the trial of Prendergast
has been in progress cranks have arisen
all over the country, threatening mayors.
chiefs of departments and men of means.
This verdict will operate as life insurance
policy on their safety A verdict of ac-
Quittal on the ground of insanity would
have been the sowing Of dragons teeth.
and threatened Mayors and others would
be in danger of losing their lives"
The members of the late Mayors family
were expecting such a verdict as given and
seemed to derive little satisfaction from
the fact the murderer was to die for
his crime, feeling only that justice had
been done. Carter ii. Harrison. one of
the proprietors of the Times. in discuss
ing the verdict, said: II am not surprised
at the verdict. because to my mind there
has never been the least doubt as to the
mans legal responsibility when he COM
mitted the act. think the hanging YER
dict will have most beneficial effect upon
the vast army who seek notoriety by deeds
of violence or by threatening men oc-
cupying high positions"
NEW YORK, Dec. 29.-Chauncey NJ.
Depew. when called upon by an Associ-
ated Press reporter and informed that
Prendergast had been convicted, said:
"Y ou don't say so. This is the first infor-
nation l have had of such a verdict"
Have you anything to say about it?"
Yes, | have. / would simply say this:
The verdict is very gratifying TO me. and
should be so to every citizen as a vindica-
tion of the supremacy Of the law. 1t is
verdict which does great credit to Chicago,
and demonstrates. as did her action in the
case OF the anarchists. her fearless and de-
termined effort to make her municipality
safe for life aud property. That Is all l
have got 90 say"
Russell Sage was somewhat surprised
when informed of the conviction of Prem
dergast. He said: II think he deserves it
il ever any one did. His pretens sions of
insanity were made up in order to gain
the sympathy of those who might believe
in him. / think the influence Of the YER
dict will be a wholesome one. 1t will
teach the ma sses to have no sympathy for
.cranks; that they are responsible TO the
Of our lives and liberty, and its Influences
will be restraining to them and make them
lead the lives of good and respectable
citizens"
INDIANAPoIIs, Dec. 29.-Ex-President
Harrison was asked this evening if be had
heard Of the Prendergast verdict. YES"
he said. 81 have just glanced at it. / have
not read it carefully"
"Do you care to express yourself regard
ing the verdict" was asked.
No; l do not care to talk on the sub.
ject: 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"
: WASHINGTON. Dee. 29.-Among men,
bers of the Illinois delegation the result of
the Prendergast trial was discussed freely
and was generally commended. Vice
President Stevenson, speaking of the YER
diet, said: .'The verdict of guilty was
expected. [ am not familiar
with the expert testimony adduced re-
gardfng the defendants sanity, but his
crime was cold -blooded one, and shocked
the entire country. / speak rather warmly
because Cart er Harrison was my personal
friend. The verdict seems to be just"
Representative. j. Frank Aldrich. when
informed of the verdict, said: Ninety
nine out of every hun dred expected the
verdict. 1 am not in the least surprised at
the finding Of the jury. / have followed
the case In the papers very closely and am
convinced there were no 0unds for
clemency. The defense certainly made no
1f.I o. ~, 4
have to be very materially changed II |
were to say anything against the verdict
+ Representative Lane said: "The verdict
expresses my sentiments. Iindorse it fully.
There is no question asato Prendergast's
guilt"
Representative John B. Black said: 81
speak not as laymaD, for have followed
the test mony in the case, but as citizen,
having formed some impressions from what
i have read and heard. l should say the
verdict is righteous. and the twelve men
who sat on the jury arrived at a correct
conclusion"
Secretary of State -Gresh ham said he had
not been closely following the newspaper
reports of the trial and therefore declined
to express his opinion of the result.
!. Chief Justice Fuller asked to he excused
from expressing an opinion of the case. 1t
is not. impossible the case may be carried
TO the United States Supreme Court and
the Chief Justice probably did not want
to pass Judgment on a case which may
afterward come before him officially.
New ORLEANS, Dec. 29.-A reporter Wis.,
tied the Howard mansion on ST. Charles
avenue Immediately after the receipt of
the news Of the result of the Prendergast
trial. Miss Annie Howard. the bereaved
fiancee of the assassin ated Mayor of Chi
caRo, was too weak to be seen. as she is
just convalescing from severe attack of
the grin. J.
The first intlmation Frank 7. Howard
had of the verdict was when the reporter
visited hin at his house. He said. lam
rather surprised, considering Chicago's
usual hustling style. that they were so slow
in determining upon: the fate of the assas-