New-York tribune., 1893-12-29
4 TEST C1SE ", IRkINSIS.


We are waiting anxio,isly TO hear the result
OF the second trial of the Hon. William f..
Woodruff of Arkansas formerly Treasurer of
that peculiar Commonwealth. Mr.. Woodruff,
following the distinguished footsteps of certain
trcasurcrs of Louisiana, Alabama MISSISSIPPI
Kentucky and Tennessee emerged from MS
term Of office with ! good deal Of the States
money sticking to his fingers. We do not knew
how hard he tried 10 shake it back INTO the
vaults There is no record that we know OF
on that point. He WAS $4,000 ahead OF Ar
kansas rs the result Of four years OF paillStaK-
ing industry. and that is about the extent OF
onr information In the premises.
Mr., Woodruns first trial came 10 naught.
The jury could not agree. The htch was not
over the question of fact. however. but arose
ont If purely sentimental consideration a
consideration altogether beautiful and touching
in itself but hardly timely or pertinent under
the circumstances. In a word. Mr.. Woodruff
escaped conviction last October because one
of the Jurors had known him thirty years be-
fore in his capacity aS Confederate soldier ana
could not find II in his heart to send an old
comradc To the pcniicnliary This juror, whose
heart was i'm the right place ana who sun
nllrsrd The glorious memories of Pea Ridge,
Helena and other fields of Arkansas rcnown,
admitted 10 lis f,llow-jurymcn that the evil
dcncr IF Woodruff : guilt was clear but he put
it to them H. men Of blood and mctlc whether
he could consign To The dungeon cell Il former
brother In arms. the partner of his blanket ana
cantocn ihc sharcr of his famine and his fleaS.
Curio,isly enough. ten of them no doubt recent
imporiaiionS from the vcnal and whit"-llv"r"d
Unfinished that he could and should but
the sentimental Juror got one other recruit ana
the two stood firm for glory and the halowcd
past.
Far be il from Us 10 east one slur upon TINS
radiant and touching episode. We can under
stand how memories Of common peril VIII
bind stout hearts together; how the ties OF
mutual calamity and sacrifice may hold stronger
than the dictates If an unwclcomc citizen
ship. And finally. we recognize the right OF
Arkansas 10 dispose Of her own money accord
ing 20 the preference Of an intelligent and
patriotic popular majority. But il does seem
hard "n Burke. If Louisiana: Vincent OF Ma
hama: Polk. of Tennessee. AMI other ValorouS
~ Coufcdcritc>. that they should have been
cNilc,. Imprisoned and oihcrwiS" prosecuted by
the law b,for" This Arkansas idrI waS broach"l.
Woodruff waS no better Confederate than they.
IIc did not excel them in service AGAINST the
Union ami HE nas. He would not have been
a greater hero had tie South prevailed or Il
more instructive martyr had the Northern van
da- followed mp their victory with punishment.
II is not fair that Worlr.n should =" free upon
his record while his fellow >urcrs Of Mis-
SiSSpp. Alabama. Louisiana. Kentucky and
Tennessee still wear ihc fclOn'S brand.
MI # which is why We say that We look
forward 10 WoolruH> second trial with anxiety.
The adoption of The Confederate service bar 10
prosecution against drfaulting Southern otii-
cials viii open vast field of activity for thou
sands Of surviving veterans.