The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-04-15
THE VERDICT FOR POLLARD.

THE VERDICT FOR POLLARD.
The verdict in the Pollard-Breckin-
ridge case will give much satisfaction
to the vast majority of the people of the
United States. The amount of damages
cuts but a subordinate figure in the
result. $4,000 may be considered in
adequate compensation for the breach
of promise. But it must be considered
that the woman in the case" was not
free from blame, also that the defend
ant is not a very wealthy man and the
sum named viii be a big drain upon
his resources.
The main point in this verdict is that
moral principle has been indicated.
influential male persons may not bring
their powers to bear upon young women
and induce them to depart from the
path of virtue, and then escape the
consequences of their perf1dy. a prom
Use Of marriage is a contract that can
not be broken by one of the parties
only with impunity
There is small doubt in the minds of
the public that Congressman Breckin-
ridge did make a promise of marriage
to his paramour. While it seems evil
dent that the young girl who submitted
to his Establishments was not a difficult
subject. it is yet clear that the defend
ant was the master influence in the
liason, and that his partner in guilt
devoted herself to him during all those
years of sin and remained true to him
to the shameful end.
This trial has been a bad thing for
the country. It has attracted the at
tention of young people, everywhere,
and familiarized them with immoral do
| ings. 1t has excited prurient curiosity
and licentious conversation. 1t has
shown people who never thought on
such matters how intrigues like this
can be carried on. 1t has lowered the
standard of morals in many minds The
example of a Christian Congressman
has been held up in such a way, that
weak minds with strong passions will
yield to the vicious idea that all men
are alike. and. on the authority of his
counsel, Breckenridge is no worse than
others and his great crime was IN be-
ing found out
All that is detrimental to morality ard
will have vile effect upon society
With different persons, the Kentucky
Lothario will be a jolly fellow and a
hero, and the fallen schoolgirl but sue
Ecessful litigant a celebrity and a hero
line. OF course the majority, who are
decent people, will be Disguised with the
whole affair, and take the ground as
sumed by Attorney Wilson that there
must not be one code Of morals for
woman and another for man.
1t is a matter of regret that so much
publicity has to be given 10 the details
in case of this kind But in these
times of news enterprise, when the ia
cilities for the TRANSMISSION Of infer
nation are so great and the demand
for it is so strong. it is impossible to
suppress those particulars which WIS
dom and rigorous morality would fain
hide from public view. The opening of
the Breckenridge nasIiness has emitted
a poisonous effiuvium which has spread
throughout the land.
It is proper that the guilty Congress
man should be taught the lesson that
his high place gave him no security
against justice, Ven though his ac-
Icuser was but weak and
uninhuential and fallen woman.
And that she has not sue
ceeded in gaining very large sum Of
money. on which perhaps she had built
her hopes. seems to US a proper result.
The cause of betrayed woman has con-
quered over bold and brutal defiance
or moral law and public opinion and
at the same time it canont be said that
cupidity has been rewarded and placed
at a premium. The Herald is well salts
fled with the verdict.