New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-07
JUDGE COWINGS REPLY.
HE THOUGHT THE CASE AGAINST COR
NELIUs B. PARKER WAS WEAK
FURTHER COMMENTS By
nm n.pLyrIIvpST
DIR. PARKHURST.

DR. PARKHURsT.
Judge Rufus B. Cowing on Monday declined to
make any reply to the criticism OF the Rev. Ut.
Charles H. Parkhurst in regard to the discharse OF
the fury In the OF Cornelius D. farkef' '.e
policy king" To Tribune reporter he said' i 90
not consider II seemy enter into discussion WIN
Dr. Parkhurst my judicial conduct, prererrihs
to treat his remarks with the silent contempt wnich
they deserve" Since then Judge Cowng has mace
a statement in which he has expressed MS opinion
that the case OF Parker was weak case as pre-
sented by the prosecution. part OF his statement
follows:
At the time regarded the case as an exceedingly
weak l do so still. and was astonished that
vhe Ss two Witnesses we're missing
did not know how the jury stood OF course ou, tne
| for acquittal was neither a surprise nor d!sap,
pon,ment to me discharged them d o
jury is always annoying because dislike the POS
sibilty OF retral of case Had the Dlstrct-At!or-
ney been able produce his other Witnesses II Is
not likely that the case would have resulted as II
As to DR.. Parkhurst's criticism. Judge Cowing
made the following statement:
1t is ridiculous and insulting to suggest that was
Influenced in the Parker case by either personal or
friends l should not recognize him on the streets
had It not been that l got to know his features
when he was on trial.
In conversation with Tribune reporter yesterday
afternoon Dr. Parkhurst said he was disappointed
by the rejonder Of Judge Cowing. because he had
hoped that the Judge would have given some assur-
that the Court would sustain the police In the
enforcement Of the law. He had been moved to ask
some questions In the Parker case he said because
he feared that the result OF the Parker trial would
have an effect to discourage the police Members
Of the force have had to pay money out OF their
own pockets for evidence. and they have not been
reimbursed because Controller Fitch objects to
transfer Of money, and under such circumstances.
Dr. Parkhurst said. the police might get discouraged
II no convictions could be secured when evidence
obtained
at does not seem as II the judicial dignity Is Of
character TO be injured by making certain explana-
lions OF the Courts conduct" Dr. Parkhurst said
What we are anxious for Is not only that the
judicial dignity shall be maintained. but also that
there should be In the public mind well-founded
conviction OF the Courts integrity Judge Cowins
does not go about It in the right way when he de-
clares that It Is beneath judicial dignity to make ex
plantations That gives the impression that the
judicial mind moves in a plane far elevated
above that Of the ordinary mind that to venture on
criticism Of the judiciary is almost in the nature
OF treason"
DIR. Parkhurst had prepared q written statement
in part follows:
All care to say In regard to Judge Cowing's re-
1onder Is that am disappointed hoped that ne
would see his way clear to make such an exposition
OF the would show that his action was
above challenge. He says that the Parker case was
weak one Evidently about 90 per cent OF the jury
| thought otherwise The Judge must not be annoyed
at being watched The fact that ne SITS upon me
bench does not properly withdraw him from the area
OF public criticism Everything that the Society Tor
| the Prevention Of Crime has been able to accom-
psh during the last four years has been Que 10 me
fact that II has gone about with its eyes open. and
has punctuated the official actions OF our pubic SER
wants with Interrogation points.