The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-20
Judge Bartlett Sentences John Y. Nc
Kane, the Car of Coney Island, to
Six Years in Prison.
THE BETTERS SURPRISED
Three Years All They Expected
the Election Manipulation to Get.
To Be Sent to Sing Sing Monday Unless
a Longer Stay of Execution Is Grant
ed-Mckane's Church Membership.

BhOOhLlN, n. u, FEB. l9.-The no
torious boss of Gravesend, John Y. McKane,
a Democratic politician. who was relied on
to furnish any majority he was asked for,
was this morning sentenced to six years
in States prison.
Great interest has been manifested in the
McKane case among all classes. How long
will he get?' was the question which one
heard everywhere this morning. On the ele-
waited road and on the street car. on the
sidewalks, wherever two or three men could
be seen together, 1t is safe to say that they
were talking about the McKane case. At
the courthouse crowds Of anxious men be-
sieged the doors of the court room. and the
policemen had a herculean task In keeping
them from breaking down the doors In their
anxiety to get in to secure good positions,
from which they could hear and see every
thing that took place. Sergeant White, with
twenty-five men from the first police pre-
cinct, struggled hard to make way for the
reporters, who went into the court room
through the judges entrance. The doors Of
the court were kept tightly locked, but the
gallery doors were left open Finally, one
by one, the spectators were let in, and, just
at 9:55 o'clock, the door opened wide and
John Y. McKane, accompanied by Sheriff
Buttling, entered. He was apparently the
most unconcerned man In the court room,
and walked about talking to his friends,
who one and all shook him warmly by the
hand. Every one who saw him remarked
his wonderful nerve and self-possession. He
held a short conversation with his counsel.
Foster L. Backus. They sat down beside
each other a few minutes later, and both
men laughed heartily at something which
was said by a man sitting near by. The
prosecuting lawyers, z. NJ. Sheppard, Col.
Lamb and Joe Weinberg, were also In court
and held a consultation. By 10:15 the corr1-
doris were rendered almost impossible, as
the crowds swarmed on the stairways and
Railways and out into the street.
At 10 o'clock Judge Bartlett took his seat
on the bench. Mr.. Z. c. James then stood
| defendant, Mr.. John Y. McKane. 1 move
criminal procedure, SUBMISSIONS 5 and g."
Judge Bartlett denied the motion.
Mr.. James then asked for an arrest OF
Judgment on the grounds that the facts as
stated in the Indictment do not constitute
a crime. This was also denied. Then Mr..
James asked the court to take into consid-
convicted of any felony, and that his pre-
vious good character be taken into consid-
Grafton. Judge Bartlett said he did not see
any circumstances which would warrant
such discretion.
Mr.. James next asked for a stay Of exc
cution OF judgment for twenty days to en-
| able the defendant to move on a notice for
certificate OF reasonable doubt. Mr.. Shep-
| pard said that it would be better for de-
fendant's counsel to wait until sentence be
pronounced before making the application.
| Mr.. Sheppard moved for sentence to be
passed.
replied: Il do not know that / can say
anything but what 1 said on the stand dur
ing this trial. 1 have never done anything
wrong to any one so far as 1 know. 1
never did anything directly or indirectly
wrong with regard to the election, nor dia
wrong. 1 again say that 1 am not guilty
Of any offense against the law"
sentence and said: Il do not feel inclined
to disregard the recommendation to mercy
made by the jury. The crime which the
That great crime seems to be one that
demands an emphatic sentence. The pen
atty should be so severe as to express due
excite sympathy. The sentence of the
court is that the defendant be imprisoned
in Sing Sing State prison for six years"
When the sentence was pronounced the
one who seemed to be the least affected
Scarcely WaS passed from the Judges lips
when McKane turned round and resumed
his seat beside his lawyers A subdued
spectators who thronged the court room.
but the hum was quickly suppressed by
| Judge Bartlett. who raped vigorously with
his gavel and ordered the police to clear the
court.
'Gosh," said one of his henchmen, that
line the ominous words, six years. ran
from mouth to mouth, Town the stairways
and out to the sidewalks. Everybody
| seemed to be on the tip-toe of excitement,
but no one had any idea that the sentence
would exceed five years. Bets were freely
made and odds given that it would not be
more than three years, and this term was
locke upon generally as the limit. The
news was flashed over the wires. and in
less than a quarter of an hour, it is safe
to say, the people on Manhattan island
and Long island were aware of the penalty
inflicted on the dethroned ruler of Coney
island. While all this excitement was 60
ing on on the outside, McKane sat quietly
in a chair in front OF the judges desk talk
ing TO his counsel and now and again nod
ding or passing a remark to his friends
pliance with the mandate of the court.
Lawyer Roderick said that an application
would be made to a justice of the Supreme
Court for a stay of twenty days pending
an appeal. McKane was taken back to
Raymond-street jail in a coach by Sheriff
I Buttling about IL o'clock.
Owing to the mildness of Justice Bart
lettS charge the prosecution does not ex-
pect that a certificate OF reasonable doubt
will be signed. However, the defense will
go ahead with the matter, and see what
they can do for McKane. Deputy Attorney
general Shepard said this evening. in a
most positive manner, that he did not
think the stay would be granted. While
Justice Bartlett has not granted a. stay.
counsel for the prosecution have consented
TO n STAY until Monday, in order to give
counsel for the defense an opportunity to
HE an appeal from the judgment of the
court. II they cannot secure a further
stay the sheriff will remove the prisoner
to Sing Sing.
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