Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-06-22
VOICE OF THE PRESS
Concerning the Verdict in
the Borden Case.
THE GENERAL SENTIMENT.
Police Of Fall River Referred to in Un'
complimentary Terms.

FALL RIVER, Mass, June 22-It is
stated by relative Of the Borden family
that as soon as Miss Lizzie Borden and
her sister, Emma, can make proper ar
rangements they, with Bridget Sullivan,
will sail for Europe for an extended trip.
This is considered the better way to escape
unpleasant recollections of the past year.
The first day of Miss Lizzie Borden's
new life was filled to the brim with con-
gratulations. They began early in the
morning when the sisters returned TO the
old home on Second street and lasted until
bedtime, keeping Harriet, Bridget Sulli-
vans successor, on constant trot to the
front door. The doors were tightly locked,
and Harriet opened them only just enough
to serve as a sort of inside guard, so that
intimate friends might pass the counter
sign.
Editorial comm,nts. as showing the
trend Of public opinion In the final out
come of the trial OF Lizzie Bo rden, prove
instructive and interesting reading. They
form a marked contrast to the positions
held by many of these same papers 10 or IL
months ago.
Boston Opinions.
The verdict of the jury saves from deadly
peril and vindicates from cruel suspicion
true modest and upright woman. The
justness Of the verdict will be approved by
the almost unbroken sentiment of the
community.-Journal
The verdict of acquittal which was given
yesterday by the twelve good men and
true" at New Bedford will find, from that
larger Jury, the public, general acquies-
cence and approval.-Globe.
People-and there are good many of
them-who have believed from the first
that Lizzie Borden was not clear of grave
suspicion have been compelled to recog-
nize that the evidence as brought out at
the trial fell far short of fixing the crime
upon her.-Herald.
The verdict of mot guilty" was generally
and with ample reason expected. Even
before the trial began it was the prevail
ing opinion that no conviction was posi-
ble.-Advertiser.
The trial of the case is distinctly honor
able to Massachusetts, justice. But ia the
preliminaries of the trial 1t has been far
different. From the very beginning, to
the time when Lizzie Borden was brought
before the court and the jury, the course
| of the officers Of the law has been that of
| persecution rather than of justice. Post.
The verdict can surprise only those who
had expected@4s disagreement of the jur..-
Without regard to the justice of the YER
| dict, this case bids fair to be celebrated in
the criminal annals of the United States
terrible chapter In the mysteries of
murder. The jury find that Miss Borden
| did not murder her father and her step
mother, but they do not say who did the
crime, for that is not within their prov
ince. To determine wao did the deed
should be as much "A public duty with the
authorities as il ever has been. Trans
script.
Outside the Hub.
Lizzie Borden is legally innocent. A
person is presumed to be guiltless until
| guilt is proved, and in her case guilt was
very far from being proved. But this un-
| fortunate woman stands in n terrible posi-
| tion, because 50 long as the assassin of her
father and stepmother remains uudis-
| covered and unpunished there will be
many people who will still believe her
| guilty. Springfield Republican.
The speedy verdict of not guilty i'm the
| Borden case meets popular approval, and
| no one doubts that from the evidence pre-
| sented justice Is done. The male residents
| of this city consider the verdict insufficient
because it did not order the entire police
| force of Fall River to be hanged or i'm
L
There il cause for public congratulation
In the verdict that acquits Miss Borden OF
| the charge of D,urdcr. 1t is salutary
circumstance that the l2 men, chosen
| partly be cause they were fathers, to decide
her fate, were all so thoroughly convinced
Her unanimous acquittal will not wholly
spare Miss Borden from suspicion even
now.-W Worcester Spy.
| The verdict OF acquittal OF the jury In
the Borden case was not unexpected to
4 those who have followed the evidence Ii
Is true that there are still very many per-
/ sons who believe that Lizzie Borden Is
| gully. Under the circumstances il will
| be n hard task for Lizzie Borden to live
down the prejudice there Is against her.
Lowell Mail.
| Lizzie Borden is a free woman. IL, as
the law adjudged her, and, as we are all
bound to believe, she Is innocent, truly
| never was woman so visited with suffer
ing and misfortune. II she was guilty,
she must and will suffer n punishment
| worse than any tortures which the most re-
fined human cruelty could devise. Lowell
Times.
From New York.
II will be the verdict of the great public,
| which has READ the evidence given In che
| cdse any Otner result OF the trial would
have shocked the popular mind as a
wrenching Of justice The government
had no case.-New York Herald
| The acquittal OF this most unfortunate
and cruelty prosecuted woman was, by its
| promptness, in effect condemnation of
the police authorities Of Fall River, and Of
the legal officers who secured the indict-
ment, aud have conducted the trial. New
| York Times -
| No other verdict was possible, In view
OF the utter destruction OF all points that
were vital on which District Attorney
Knowlton sought to convict Miss Borden.
From first TO last IL was prosecution In
the interest Of police conspiracy TO fit
facts TO the preconceived theory and con-
vict an innocent woman by fair means or
| foul-New York Recorder.
No other verdict could have been ex-
pected. There was absolutely no case
against the accused woman. The case IL
one Of police bluhtlers. after fam iliar
fashion, but with rather more than or
dinsry stupidity.-New York World