The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-12-24
F. 3. HARRIS. Editor.
TIE TRIAL AND AcoulTTAL OF COL
Inns,

To those Of our readers who remem-
Der the impeachmentof Andrew john
son and are familiar with the graphic
accounts given Of the impeachment
trials Of Richard Give and Warren
Hastings, and were witnesses of the
trial Of Florida's late treasurer, the
Hon. G. II. Collins, must have been
impressed with the great dissimilarity
of these great events.
Comparing II, for instance. with the
trial Of Warren Hastings, see how ut
terIy unlike, from every point of view
and In every particular, were the two
trials.
Hastings, unlike Collins, was not
careless with the funds passing
through his hands, but was reckless
in the methods he adopted in gather
ing these funds into his possession.
He was charged with levying unjust
and exhorbitant tribute on the de-
fenseIess people of India whom he
had conquered.
He had saved the British arms in
India; everywhere save in that re-
mote province the proud armies OF
England were being defeated and her
territory lost; but under the transcen-
aiant genius of Warren Hastings the
British flag, against marvellous odds,
was everywhere triumphant il India,
and that ancient empire, fabulous in
wealth. sand commerce and culture,
was permanently added to the British
6g9Ep. But for levying too great tri-
snc doing unlawful acts, this
most wonderful man was brought 70
trial by the people of England.
That was one hundred years ago,
and though the press had not then
near reached the limit of influence
that 1t has since attained, great in
terest was manifested in the trial.
Macauley says there may have been
spectacles more dazzling to the eye,
more gorgeous with jewelry and cloth
Of gold, but, perhaps, there never wss
q spectacle SO well calculated to strike
q highly cultivated, a rejecting, an
imaginative mind. Neither military
nor civil pompt was wanting. The
avenues were lined with grenadiers.
The streets were kept clear by cavalry.
The peers, robed in gold and ermine,
were marshaled by heralds. The
judges, In their vestments of state,
attended in body. One hundred
and seventy Lords and all the MEM
bers Of the house of Commons walked
In solemn procession to the tribunal.
All the great dignitaries of state, in
Guiding the Prince of Wales, were in
the line of procession. The walls of
the hall were hung with scarlet. The
Queen and her daughters and all the
ladies of rank in the kingdom, oceu-
pied seats at the trial. The sergeants
made due proclamation. Hastings
advanced to the bar. Great conquerer,
though he was, the greatest in- the
annals Of England, was made to get
on Bonded knees. Burke was the ac-
cuser, that great friend of America in
her struggles. He consumed four
days in the Introduction to the charges.
The energy, and pathos and eloquence
Of the orator perhaps has never been
excelled. Ladies had to be carried
fainting from the room.
How different was the trial of Flor
ida's defaulting treasurer. 1t hardly
produced ripple of excitement. Not
a half dozen Of the distinguished men
Of the state were present. The re-
porter's desk was conspicuous for the
absence Of reporters. Even the
Tfmes-Union and Citizen was not
represented, and that paper did not
give an account of the distinguished
culprlt's acquittal until thirty-six
hours after the verdict of the Jury
was rendered.
Here was the first instance in its
history when one of its officials was
brought to trial charged with embez.
cling the public funds. Whatever
may have been its shortcomings, the
party to which he belonged, il was its
boast that Incorporating the public
3funds was not one of the sins to be
0fodged against it.
'day indeed the following is one of the
n. nks contained in its last nlatform
! g. We congratulate the democratic party of
forida for the proud record of the officials
IRA me counties aud the state for their frugal
,ar q provident administration Of the affairs
mnitted to their care. In the twenty
tuSean Of their administration not single
~ veiaieaton mas been reported. The rigid
accounting for every cent Of the public
expenditures sileuces the criticisms Of enc
mics and challenges the admiration of
friends
Inc shortage for which Mr.. Collins
was indicted aggregated the sum of
$4,000 to the state and $4,000 TO the
counties-making total of Sos 600
he appeared before the court with.
out counsel and without witnesses
and In doing which it must be con-
iessed that he displayed fertile ge-
Jus and serene courage that in the
end won for him most siynaI fri.
umph. It was perilous hazard but
ne oraved the chances and turned the
states weapons to his own defense
ne made no statement but simplv
reserved the right of making the
ios'ng argument before the Jury.
ne exhausted none of his cballep.
yes OF jurors. He rarely took excen,. |
IN. .ens 70 'ne evidence made out by the |
s'A.e and noted but single ax.
cep'lon to the judges rulings Ho /
pOseu before the court and the iurv as |
martyr. He claimed 70 bave -
Inc victim Of conspiracy. He s.jd |
ne nad been bounded by the naws
papers as no other official had ever |
been before. He was driven 60, -.
nee oy a miserable lot Of little politi.
cans. he paid his respects 10 San.
ator 6alliard by saying that ba oeo,
pied stolen seat in the sena,a r;o,,t
Iuiiy belonging to another HINT
Harris ne described as little pimlat
headed lawyer not possessing br.,ns
enough for a jay bird and Of tl,a AZ
tingulshed legal gentleman, the mem
Der Of the legislature from this county
eeqenounced as little Polish lew
81 'eo OF bis ancestry and who had
= hoo 4 |. 81