The morning news., 1894-10-21
MISTAKES OF JUSTICE.
A. LylCheT'S Lame and lmpOtent
Logic.

UnreHability Of Criminal Confessions.
The Bourne Case and One Equally
Strange in France - The Fine Point
Upon Which Margaret spiess Escaped
the Death Penalty-A Pertinent Cues
ton.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer
When Justice fails, upon what can hu-
manity depend? Its failure is frequent
and distressing. on the morning following
lyrching, in February, 1898, the writer
asked one of the self-appointed execu-
toners if he was sure they had hanged
the man who committed the crime?
Not dead sure,' he answered. but this
'er Teller jest had to be hung, fust or last,
a and now the jobs done. He'd a bin guilty
n Of he'd he'd a chance, and likes not
4 twas him"
The lyncher's code teaches that it is bet
q ter to hang a few who are innocent than
4 permit one guilty man to escape. In the
case referred to a colored man had cTint-
a lnally assaulted a disreputable white wo-
q man, and her male associates resolved, TO
n avenge the Outrage" They apprehended
a black fellow, who gave evidence of trep-
"
tailed to recognize him as her assailant
aad he was hanged because she refused 70
say he was not the guilty man. He Of
Tered TO prove that he was in another
4 part Of the town when the assault was
q committed, but was allowed no oppor-
tunity. Why? Because the lynchers were
not looking for justice, but were in search
Of q victim
A lawyer of Cincinnati was present at a
singular trial for forgery in New Orleans
last winter. A note for $1,000 was in evil
dence, and it was claimed that the payee
business man, of some prominence, hac
Iorged 1t to raise money In an emergency
me name upon the note was that of an
other business man of the Crescent City
VINO s~ore he didn't sign it, and as the
paEee insisted that he did and describcc
the transaction il liquidated. experts were
cdHed in to prove handwriting. Theil
views were quite diverse but one whC
nad seemed to favor the supposed Grim
maj held a short conference with the de
Iendants counsel at the close of his tes
umony, and that gentleman made a de
maEd for the books and papers of boti
Iarues covering the date when the not
Il was made.
These were brought Then the expert
were recalled and their testimony 70 tn
genuiness of the note was unanimous. ]
Was written out in fun on a peculiar pape
with water lines running both ways. an
this paper was largely in use IN docu
ments made In the payers office But tn
most important item was the ink. INA
employed I'm the office Of the accused wa
dark. but very brilliant blue, the sam
an that used I'm making the note Will
lhe ink upon the books and papers OF TIA
accused was jet black. The account OF IN
ae'user with the accused contained
charge Of 5000 at the date OF the mote
nut tho original entry had been erase
ana cash" substituted. Upon the ac
count OF the accused the credit was "B
note, $1,000" The jury brought IN vei
dict Of acquttal without leaving thei
seats. Subsequently the defendant OF
'ancd judgment of $4,000 against the a'
rlHer for damage 10 reputation but r.
fused 20 appear against him IN a Grim
mol prosecution. and thus he contribute
N 70 failure OF justice.
6till are we compelled 20 look for bllai
cling Influences in this matter, for som'
umes Justice is too vlganL Eyerybod
81 OF advanced age has heard Of the case