The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-18
THE SLOT MACHINE CASES.
Judge MacDOneI Given Power TO Re
duce the Jail Sentence Imposed.

Judge A. II. MacDonell OF the city court
viii have a chance to change the SEN
fence which he imposed upon Charles
KolshOrn. who was convicted under the
state law against lotteries on account OF
the fact that he kept a slot machine in
his place.
The sentence imposed by Judge Mac
Donel was a fine Of $500, which the law
requires, or sixty days in jail as an alter
native. A COPY OF an order was received
yesterday from the supreme court, which
allows the judge 10 reduce the alterna-
tive, but not the fine. In other words,
he may reduce the length Of the stay
in Jail, but he cannot make the fine any
less. The order as passed by the supreme
court, a copy of which was received by
the clerk Of the city court yesterday, is
as follows:
The Supreme Court Of the State of
Georgia, Atlanta, Ca, Sept Is, les5.-fres-
ent. all the justices. The following order
was passed: Charles kolshorn VS.. the
state. IL appearing that a general judg-
ment of afhrmance was rendered IN the
above stated case Oct. q, los5, and since
that time the trial Judge haElns nlea
in this court request IN writing that
said judgment be so modified as TO allow
him, in his discretion, the power 10 change
the sentence already imposed upon the
the reasons given by the trial judge that
his request should be granted.
1t is now ordered that said judgment
be, and the same Is hereby. so modified
that said judge may, if in his discretion
he sees proper, SO to do amend the Judg-
memt rendered in the trial court by max
ing the alternative imprisonment, in case
of non-payment of fine imposed, any term
less than twelve months which said judge
may designate.
Ii is further ordered that the romittitur
sent to the city court of Savannah be mod
flied TO conform TO this amendment. and
that this modification be effected by en-
tcring a copy of this order on the NM
utes of said city court under the direc-
ton of the presiding judge of that court,
for which purpose the clerk Of this court
Wil, transmit a certified copy of this or
der to the clerk of said city court.
This finally settles the matter with the
exception Of whatever changes are to be
made in the sentence by the city court.
case will be sentenced to spend one or two
days in jail, or some such nominal SEN
ence as an alternative for the payment of
the fine imposed. There are thirteen
others charged with the same offense and
II may be after hearing the change
in the sentence to be made by
the court, they will plead guilty, with the
understanding that the same sentence is
to be imposed. OF course, this Is only
speculation, as 1t has not even been de-
ciced when the matter will be taken up
for consideration by the court. The re-
quest for permission to modify the SEN
tence, however, was made by Judge Mac
DCnell, on a statement of facts which
warranted the supreme court to grant it,
and IL is supposed, of course, that he
Will act accordingly when the matter is
bi ought TO his attention. AS 500 is a
pretty big fine to have to pay, It is likely
spending few days in jail than be RS
CURED TO come down with the cash.