The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-20
A Terrible Chorgc.

Terrible Charge.
prisoner at the bar, have you any
thing to say why sentence of death shall
not be passed upon you?"
A solemn hush fell over the crowded
court room, and every person waited IN
in almost breathless expectation for an
answer to the judges question.
WIN the prisoner answer?
Is there nothing that will make him
show some sign of emotion?
VIII he maintain the cold Indifferent at
titude that he has shown through the long
trial. even to the place OF execution?
Such were the questions that passed
through the minds of those who had fol-
lowed the case from day to day.
The judge still waited in dgnihed 81
| lence
Not "a whisper was heard anywhere, and
the situation had become painfully oppres-
sive, when the prisoner was seen to move,
| his head was raised, his hands We're
clinched, and the blood had rushed into
| his pale, care-worn face. His teeth were
firmly set, and into his haggard eyes came
a flash of light.
Suddenly he arose TO his feet. and in u
. low, firm but distinct voice, said:
| | HAVE! Your honor, you have asked
me u question, and ! now ask, as the last
favor on earth, that you will not interrupt
my answer until am through.
II stand here before this bar, convicted
Of the wilful murder OF my wife. Truth
! ful witnesses have testified TO the fact
/ that | was loafer a drunkard. and Il
wretch; that / returned from one of my
prolonged debauChes and fired the fatal
shot that killed the wife l had sworn to
love, cherish and protect. While ! have
no remembrance of committing the fear
ful, cowardly and inhuman deed. | have
no right to complain or to condemn the
verdict of the twelve good men who have
acted as jury in this cese. for their verdict
is in accordance with the evidence.
But may it please the court, | wish TO
show that | AM NOT ALONE RESPON-
SIBLE FOR THE MURDER OF MY
WIFE,
This startling statement created a tre-
mendous sensation The judge leaned over
the desk, the lawyers wheeled around and
faced the prisoner the jurors looked 1T
each other in amazement while the spec
tators could hardly suppress their in
tense excitement. The prisoner paused Il
few seconds. and then continued in the
same firm, distinct voice.
IL repeat your honor. that l am not the
only one guilty OF the murder of my wife.
| The judge on the bench, the jury In the
of the Witnesses including the pastor of
the old church, are also guilty before AL
mighty God, and will have to appear with
me before His judgment throne, where We
all shall be righteously judged.
IF twenty men conspire together for the
murder of one person. the law power of
this land will arrest the twenty, and each
will be tried. convicted and executed for
n whole murder, and not one-twentieth of
the crime.
Il have been made n drunkard by law.
| If 1t had not been for the legalized sa-
looms of my town, never would have be-
come II drunkard; my wife would not have
been murdered | would not be here now,
ready to be hurled into eternity Had II
not been for the human traps set out with
the consent OF the government. | would
| have been a sober man, an industrious
! workman. II tender father and loving
! husband But today my home Is de
stroyed my wife murdered my little chill
dren-God bless and care for thcm-cast
out on the mercy of u cold and cruel
world, while | am to be murdered by the
strong arm of the state.
God knows. | tried to reform, but as
long as the open saloon was in my path
way, my weak, diseased will-power was
no match against the fearful. consuming,
sought the protection, care and sympathy
of the church Of Jesus Christ, but at the
communion table received from the hand
of the pastor who sits there, and who
has testified against me In this case, the
| cup that contained the same very alco-
hC!ic serpent that IL found in every bar
room In the land II proved too much for
my weak humanity, and out of that holy
place | rushed to the last debauch that
ended with the murder of my wife.
'l'or'pne year our town had been with
out u, saloon For one year | was a sober
man For one year my wife and chill
drcn We're supremely happy, and our lit
tie home Il perfect paradise.
81 was one Of those who signed remon-
strances against reopening the saloons in
our town. The names Of one-half of this
| Jury can be found today on the petition
! certifying to the good moral character 60
Of the rumsellers, and falsely saying that
the sale of liquor was necessary In our
town. The prosecuting attorney on this
case was the one that so eloquently plead
ed with this court for the licenses. and the
Judge who sits on this bench. and VINO
asked me II | had anything to say before
sentence of death was passed on me,
granted the licenses"
The Judge made motion as II to stop
any further speech on the part of the pris-
oner, when the speaker hastily said:
NO! no! your honor do not close my
lips. | am nearly through, and they are
the last words | shall utter on earth
IL began my downward career at q sa-
loon BAR-legalized and protected by the
voters of this commonwealth, which has
received annually part of the blood
money from the poor, deluded victims.
After the state had made me a drunkard
and murderer, | am taken before an
other BAR--the bar of justice co by the
same power OF law that legallZed the first
! bar, and now the law-power VIII conduct
me to the place OF execution and hasten
my soul into eternity | shall appear be-
fore another bar--the JUDGMENT BAR
OF GOD. and there you, who have legal
lied the traffic, will have to appear with
me. Think you that the Great Judge will
hold me--the poor weak, helpless victim
OF your traiiic-alone responsible for the
murder of my wife? Nay, In my drunk
en-. frenzied irresponsible condition, have
murdered ONE, but you have deliberately
and wilfully murdered your thousands,
and the murder-mills are In full operation
today with your consent
"All of you know In your hearts that
| these words of mine are not the rawlings
of AN unsound mind, but God Alm!ghty's
truth The liquor traffic of this nation Is
responsible for nearly all the murders,
bloodshed, riots, poverty, misery. wretch
edness and woe. II breaks up thousands
OF happy homes every year; sends the hus-
band and father to prison or to the gal
lows, and drives countless mothers AMI
l,,tn h.,x IN Mo, M