New-York tribune., 1894-04-15
THE VERDICT.

Tho verdict In the Breckenridge case VIII uil-
doubtcdly meet general approval. Opinions
may differ AS 10 the amount Of damages which
should have been awarded the plaintin, but
fe,v Of the many thousands who have read
the reports Of the trial rs it proceeded Will dis
sont from the conclusion Of the jury in favor
of the plaintiff, and probably the large MAJORITY
will pronounce the amount awarded 100 sihail
rather than too large. This arises from the lact
that the conduct OF the defendant and his
lawyers during the trial has aroused Ill 'he
minds of all men and women VINO nave 'h'
sense of decency as well as of justice Iceiihs
OF intense Indignation and profound disgust
The evident satisfaction which VIII pres
entv be manifested throughout the country nj
this result should not be misunderstood. IL Is
far from the feeling OF sympathy win Inc
n,o,ntin In her wrongs and injuries. which in
ordinary circumstances in n case Of this kind
might be expected to influence pubic OPINION
The verdict will be applauded not because II
awards Miss Pollard $4,000, but because IL
furnishes TO that extent in dollars ana cents
and TO n vastly greater extent In puphc con
demnation. the basencss and hypocrisy OF
Breckinrdge. and the brazen chrontery WIN
which he stood up and attempted to JUSTIFY his
conduct
II was not strange that the reports or inc
trial were widely read. Considering the olIlclal
posItIon and public character Of the defendant
and the startling revelation of himself ana MS
manner OF life out Of his own mouth. IL Woulu
have been strange II there had been any less
publicity or less interest In the details on the
| part OF the public. And we repeat what we
have heretofore said. that the story as i"ld III
| court has had no evil effect upon public OF pr
yate morals but has rather served useful pur
nose as n lesson and warning. y" gri "i
Young woman will b. tempted by Madeline
| pollards example: no young or old man can
! find ANYTHING I'm W &. i. BrcCknridgc> shame
ful career that invites imitation. Indeed th'
| current Of newspaper comment and the whole
drift OF public opinion since the trial began
| have done much 10 rrassur" all who were al
all sccptlcal rs 10 the ultimate standards OF
virtue. purity. morality and dcccncy rs ror"-
| nizcd by the community ~ large. 'ondrn""|
at once and unsparlngly by AL purcnind"i and
unrieht men and women This man KrccknridS'
has found 80 FAR rs We. can learn. not over
among the frivolous plcasur-Sc'krrS ~ th'
| clubs or the coarscr yotarics of vice In th" ~
| looms aud lower resorts, single defender. Ihcr'
| are men base enough 10 apologize for or irca
| with fli1IanfN, nt@ 'IlNiHdl 'i'i''f ''' '''
lost TO all sense 90 dcccucv. and So devoid q"
the instinct ~ chivalry toward woman whic!
resides in the most degraded breast. aS 10 p9lll
NE his cowardly ana brutal attempt 10 shlcl'
himself at the expense of the victim ~ his luS
and partner Of his sin.
This trinl Is ended The defendant. still ap
| parcnily unconscious that besides Hcins mulctc'
bv "A Jury he has been pilloricd before all th'
| world was last seen on the streets of Wash
ington, mcrrily making n show ~ himself an'
| bearing himself rs unconccrncdly as thougi
nothing had happened TO him; still indulens u
| the fatuous conccit that among men OF th
| world he IS regarded only as brilliant public
| man. who has done nothing unusual. but Ia
| been unfortunate enough To get caught TN
was the bald shameless assumption upon whicl
| his counsel proceeded In their appeals {" th
| jury. and this Is evidently his own continuing
delusion 1t Is stated. indeed. that be- propose
| 10 go back TO Kentucky. and 40 far from bury
Ing himself IN the obScuriy which IN such cir
cumstanccs n man OF sensitive nature and ord
| nary appreciation would welcome 10 make al
| "agCrcssivc" contest for denomination and re
| election 10 Congress When II comes 10 that
his constituents will have simply 10 answer tn
question whether they are willing 10 take III
| shame upon themselves.