New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-08
A STRANGE DEFENCE.

In the case OF young Hildrcth. now on trial at
Rome In this State, for causing with others
the fatal wreck Of a Ncw-York Central train
last November the lawyer for the defence In
his opening address made some strange declara-
lions Referring Ia the proceedings OF the COM
pany In connection with The prosecution. he
said: We find a great an extraordinary inter
"esi, thirst for blood, on the part OF this great
"souess corporation. From what We know OF
1T we know II Il not making this effort for
charitable purposes" Let US consider the facts
briefly The case has been brought and the
prosecution Is going on In the name OF the peo-
Pile They are not hoping TO convict an innocent
man, but 10 put the guilt and the punishment
where they belong. II IL generally believed that
the wrccking Of the train was a hidco,s crime
and the prmafacie case against Hldreth Is
very strong II IA extremely important that the
truth should be- ascerialned and the New-lork
Central Company would he justly condemned
IL II did not zealousy aid the process. There Is
every reason why Il should take great interest
In the trial. II II did not, the people would GER
tainly insist on knowing why II was apathetic.
Is thirst for blood denoted by Its co-opera-
ton with the public authorities In their endeavor
TO bring 10 Justice whoever was responsible FOR
the slaughter OF human beings last November?
And Is II necessary or desirable In defence OF
the prisoner TO add this 10 the long list OF sins
with which the New-York Central in common
with other "soulless corporations IL charged!
On the face Of the case there certainly Is no
warrant for such an accusation.
But perhaps young Hildreth's lawyer Is look
Ing at the matter from another point OF view.
Indeed, we think he must be. His theory APP
parently Is that though there was fatal disas-
ter, there was no original guilt excepting the
guilt Of criminal carelessness; that the railroad
track was not In proper condition owing to
neglect on the part Of the companys employees:
that spikes had not been drawn and rails re-
moved by scoundrels who meant TO cause a
wreck. but that the company Is trying to con-
ceal its responsibility In order 70 avoid payment
OF large damages. II that II not the theory Of
the defence, ilcn the lawyer who is conducting
II has avsuredly disgraccd himself by imputing
a thirst for blood TO New-York Central OFF,
Gals Let us give him the benefit OF the doubt
and assume that he hopes 10 lead the jury TO be-
llcvc that the company Is anxious TO save money
by falsely convIcting boy OF an act OF atroclOus
depnvIiy And yet. can he really think that this
great corporation, "soulless," Of course but man.
aged by individuals having souls. Is deliberately
proceeding in such course as that? II he does
80 believe, he must feel an intense desire to drag
the unparalleled lniqulty Of which he Is con-
WINGED into the light.
But does he? We a-e afraid, after all, that he
Is not entitled TO the justification which such
mental certainty would furnish, or even to
the benefit OF the doubt. He probably did not
realize the full meaning Of what he said, but
only had n vague idea Of exciting the pity Of
the jury by contrasting great soullcss corpora
ton with the youthful prisoner at the bar II
that was It, what an outrage 1t was, and what
blunder!