The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-30
COMMENT OF THE PRESS.
Prendergnst Sane Enough to Know
What lie Was Dong.

There may be people who doubt the JUS
tice of this decree, because Prendergast
was probably not in his right mind, but the
will be reconciled with this termination of
the casA.-New York Staatz Zeitung.
Prendergast, the assassin of Mayor Har-
riSon, has been convicted of murder and
sentenced to death. This is emnently right.
A "crank" who threatens and carefully
executes a murder If crazy at all. is just
crazy enough 10 be hanged. There is no
nonsense about murder trials in Chicago
New York World.
The verdict of death in the case of Prem
dergast, the murderer of Garter II Harri-
scintila OF real evidence 10 show that he
vas anything , but a cold-blooded murderer.
Sasslnauon Will be at a discount.-Phila-
delphia Inquirer.
There is no room for two opinions as to
the justice of the verdict and the sentence
in the case of Prendergast. He deserves
hanging il ever man did, and It is a great
satisfaction that the jury which tried him
has had the clear sense and simple courage
to do right. Now it is to be hoped that no
urdue delay will be permitted TO intervene
between the sentence and it's execution.
- Philadelphia North American.
The jury who have been listening to the
evidence against PrendergaSt seem to have
easily reached the conclusion that he is a
sufficiently responsible murderer and should
be hanged. AT this distance a verdict of
not guilty by reason of insanity would
probably have fallen more in line with the
general expectation than the verdict rem
dered. If hanging the Guiteaus and Prem
their execution is warranted on the ground
of grave public policy.-Philadelphi
No one who has followed the case could
have expected any other result, and the pub
lie generally will approve the verdict. The
only question raised was as to the murder
er'S Sa1itv and - ,Iefe,,sa ,,tte,ri,- fa;i1 -.
make him out lunatic. That ne is a crank
in the ordinary deception of that term, his
mind cOnSttutiOnally defective, is no doubt
true. But the true object of punishment Is
to protect society, and there is to-day no
greater menace to human life than the So
called cranks.-Chicago Inter Ocean.
The Piclyune fully approves the convic-
ton of PrendergRst. It has followed all the
testimony taken in the case and is thorough
w satisfied that he was sane enough to
know what he was doing. \ deliberate muir
der and worthy Of punishment. He was an
enthusiastic and fanatic but that fact did
not interfere with his responsibility for his
| act. The people who went to the stake for
| their religion or their faith might as well
| be called insane They knew what they
were doing and they undertook it voluntar-
/ ily.-New Orleans Plcayune.
| The verdict in the case of Prendergast
| will meet with universal approval ard the
| promptness shown in the trial is deserving
| OF the highest praise. Chicago acted well
/ i'm insisting upon prompt but fair and inn
/ partial trial, and in CONCERNING the murder
| er to death by the law and preventing IL by
the act of mob. Prendergasts mind was
| undoubtedly Unbalanced. but the trial
| showed that he knew what he was doing
! and was, therefore. responsible for his act
{ There is an increasing army OF cranlIs in
| the country. What are we to do with them
| We cannot confine them in an insane
| asylum because there is not room enough
| nor do they belong there.-New Orleans
| Times-DemOcrat
! Exact and speedy justice has been done
! by the court and the jury which YESTERDAY
! sentenced the murderer of Carter H. Har-
rison TO death. The rapidity with which
! this case has been carried to conclusion,
! without the sighting of any prescribed le-
| gal form. without denying to the accused
| an opportunity TO demonstrate his insanity
! is encouraging to the friends of society
| Defended by able counsel. with sufficient
/ means to secure wide range of expert
| testimony in his behalf Prendergast has
/ had every chance for his life. His convic-
ton deals fatal blow to the plea of Grim
! inal lawyers. backed up by the opinion OF
I physicians. that eccentricity is complete
/ defense TO n charge OF murder. 1t is to be
hoped now that the sentence of the court
may be speedily executed. Demonstration
/ has been made that wanton murder shall
. not go unpublished in Chicago Let there
/ be added 10 this, for the intimidation OF
I homicidal cranks of the future evidence
/ that the courts OF Illinois VIII not connive
at prOlonling the worthless life Of a red
handed murderer by entertaining dilatory
motions or by being hamDered by the puer
Titles Of a certain sort OF criminal law
Chicago Times.