The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-03-12
A FEW SUGGESTIONS.
District Attorney Buckmaster on the
Bloch Matter.

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Bloch Matter.
Mr.. Editor:
[ am informed that certain parties
whose sympathies are getting the bet
ter of their judgment are circulating a
petition for the pardon of Barney
Bloch, who was convicted of arson at
the last term Of the circuit court. In
justice to the people of this community
and of the county deem it my duty to
make a few statements as to the facts
in the case.
Bloch was convicted after fair trial,
only five months ago. He was found
guilty by an honest and intelligent
jury, and was sentenced by capable,
fairminded and impartial judge. A
pardon of any one of these criminals
convicted on that trial would be an in
suit to our people and a slap in the
face of Justice,
1t is asserted that Bloch was
made a tool in the hands of other
defendants. If such were the case he
had every opportunity to show that fact
to the court. Mr.. Brandes was one
of Bloch's attorneys at that time.
Why did he allow his client
to be made q martyr if such
were the case? 1t may be that Bloch
was led by others into the commission
of crime, but the same may be said of
large proportion of the prisoners in
our refOrmatories today. 1t is rather
strange, however, that the man who
held most of the stock in the Chicago
Bedding Company plant, and who
would have been the greatest gamer if
the plan had not miscarried, could
have been so terribly victimized by
others.
Mr.. Brandes says that he is bearing
his own expenses in this move, and in
the same sentence says that he is as
sisted by prominent Chicago merch-
ants. These Chicago merchants are no
doubt the same to whom the goods
were consigned shortly before the fire.
Hence their interest in the matter. 1t
is known that at least part OF the
money for the bill of exceptions in
Bloch's favor was advanced by Jacob
sons attorney for that purpose. 1t is
very probable that this pardon scheme
was planned by the other defendants
before the close of the trial, as means
Of preventing Bloch from exposing the
whole job. 1t is we'll known that his
silence was the means by which one
defendant escaped.
Mr.. Brandes asserts that he will have
the support of the best people OF Keno
stta in this move, and that he has the
open aid Of the leading state officials.
The public would like to know who
they are. There is not a single county
off cial as far as I know who favors this
move. On the other hand they are all
opposed to it. If persons convicted of
grave crimes are to be pardoned within
a few months of their conviction, we
might as we'll abolish our courts and
throw open our prisons.
Bloch was the defendant who tried
the insanity dodge, and thereby put
the county to about three hundred dol
lars extra expense. Perhaps he is now
trying to play the consumptive. Let
it be borne in mind that even the ply
sicans have not said that Block has
consumption. 1t is notable fact that
many of the criminals who are pardon
ed out of the state prisons regain won
derfulv GOOD health after they regain
their liberty. 1t is easy to impose on
sympathizing public but it is folly to
let sympathy out run our sense ofjus-
tice and render invalid the DEGREES of
our courts. The purpose of punish
ment is two-fold, viz: the reformation
of the individual, and the protection of
society. Have we any evidence that
either purpose has been accomplished
in the case at hand? al
Respectfully,
ATRERT f. RUCKM STEER