Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-19
M'KANE SENTENCED
Six Years in Prison for the Graves
end Autocrat.
MOTION FOR A new TRIAL DENIED
The Accused Again Protests Inno-
Cence.
WHAT WILL LBETHENEXTMOVE

WHAT WILL LBETHENEXTMOVE
BROOKLYN, N. Y. Feb. 19.-"How long
will he get?" was the question which one
heard everywhere in Brooklyn this MORN
ing. From ! o'clock this morning small
knots of curiosity mongers could be seen
at Willoughby and Raymond streets await
ing the exit of the convicted boss" of
Gravesend from the gray stone building to
go to the court of oyer and terminer for
sentence.
At the court house the police had a
herculean task in keeping the crowds from
breaking down the doors in their anxiety
to secure good positions from which they
could hear and see everything which took
place.
Shortly after Q o'clock it was stated that
McKane had arrived at the sheriff's Office,
though one could be- found who had
seen him.
Sergeant White, with twenty-five men
from the first police precinct. struggled
hard to make room for the reporters, who
| got into the court room through the
| judges entrance One by one the specta-
tors were let in and just at 9:55 o'clock the
| door opened wide and John Y. McKane
accompanied by the sheriff, 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 short
conversation with his counsel. Foster l..
| Backus. They sat down beside each other
| few minutes
Both men soon laughed heartily at some
thing which was said by man sitting
near by. They were Joined almost imme-
diately by ex-Judge Troy. Geo. w. Roder-
lex and James W. GleEdening. The prose-
cutting lawyers, h. Nj. Shepard, Col. Lamb
and Joe Weinberg, were also in court and
held consultation.
| Col l.. &. James came into court about ~
O'Clock and conversed with Mckane and his
four lawyers. 1t was reported that he mad
just been retained for the defense.
The corridors were soon rendered almost
impossible as the crowds swarmed on the
stairways and Railways and out into the
street. Judge Bartlett presently took his
seat on the bench.
Motion for New Trial Denied.
Mr.. L. c. James then stood up and said:
Your honor, l appear for the defendant,
Mr. John Y. Mckane. l move for a new
trial under section 465, code OF criminal
procedure, subdivisions and e.
Judge Bartlett denied the motion.
| Mr. James then asked for an arrest OF
Judgment on the ground that the facts as
stated in the indictment do not constitute
a crime.
This was also denied --...,-...s.-.
|
into consideration that the defendant had
never been convicted Of any felony or that
his previous good character had been taken
into consideration.
Judge Bartlett said that he did not see
any circumstances which would warrant
such discretion.
Mr.. James then 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.. Shepard said that 1t would be better
for the defendants counsel to wait until
sentence be pronounced before making this
application. Mr.. Shepard moved for SEN
tence to be passed.
McKane. when asked what he had to
say anything but what said on the stand
during this trial. 1 have never done any
thing wrong to any one as far as know.
I never did anything directly indirectly
wrong with regard to the election. nor did
| ever counsel any one else to do anything
wrong. 1 again say that I am not guilty
Of any offense against the law"
McKane Sentenced.
Judge Bartlett then proceeded to pass
sentence, and said: Il do not feel inclined
to disregard the recommendation to mercy
made by the jury. The crime which the de-
fendant committed was a serious one. That
great crime seems to be one that demands
an emphatic sentence. The penalty should
be severe as to express due condemna-
ton, while not severe as to excite SYM
pathy. The sentence Of the court Is that
the defendant be imprisoned in Sing Sing
state prison for six years..
There was dead silence in the court for
a moment, and then amid murmur of
voices throughout the chamber Judge Bart
lett ordered the court to be cleared.
| When sentenced was pronounced, the one
who seemed to be least affected was the
| chief himself. The words scarcely passed
from the judges lips when McKane turned
round and resumed his seat beside his law
yers.
A subdued murmur Of establishment es-
capped from the mouths Of thousand or
more 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. Only a few people went
out, and as soon as they reached the cor
rdor they informed the people there that
the boss had been sentenced to six years
in Sing Sing.
Good God!' said one Of his henchmen.
THAT Is what call rubbing it in
Spreading the News.
Along the line the ominous words "Six
years!" rang from mouth to mouth along
the stairways and out to the sidewalk
Everybody seemed to be on the tiptoe Of ex-
citement, but no one had any idea that the
sentence would exceed five years. Bets
were freely made and odds given that ii
would not be more than three years and
this term was looked upon the limit.
The news was flashed over the wires and
in less than quarter of an hour it is safe
to say that the people on Manhattan Is
land and Long Island were aware of the
penalty inflicted on the dethroned ruler of
Coney Island.
During all the excitement on the outside
McKane sat quietly in chair in front Of
the judges desk, talking to his counsel and
now and then nodding or passing a remark
to his friends who were leaving the court
room in compliance with the mandate of
the court.
The counsel for the prosecution said they
had no objection to a stay of execution be-
ing granted to the defendant, and Lawyer
Roderick said that an application would
be made some time today. The term of
twenty days is mentioned by the defend
ants lawyers the time for which they
wish to have the judgment arrested
McKane was taken back to Raymond
street Jail in a coach by Sheriff Butling
about IL o'clock, and if stay is not pro-
cured today he will be taken to Sing Sing
tomorrow in company with some other con-
victs.
Nicaragua Pays Her Debts PunctualIy
: DIR. Guzman, the minister Of Nicaragua
, to the United States. has just received q
lcnb 10 hi