The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-19

ferent state of feeling. but the relation
between some OF these papers and all
matters of publicity in which Mr.. Wan.
amaker is supposed to have an interest
are peculiar. II Catiline had run
big department store In Philadelphia
as an annex TO his conspiracy In Rome,
and spent literally for advertising.
Cicero's denunciation of him would
never have been heard of by the read
ers OF these journals. and instead Of
being banished from Rome Catiline
might have posed 20 the end of his days
as a royal purple patriot and a leading
business man.
Yet. as an example OF how this boom
erang prosecution strikes an editor
who. although friendly TO Mr.. Wana-
maker, and openly supporting Swallow.
has some regard for the truth and fo-
his own fame as one OF the great po-
litical editors OF the country. read this
editorial utterance from the pen OF
Colonel A X. Mcclure in the Philadel-
phia Times of yesterday morning. He
says;
Senator Quay has been helped rather
than hindered in his great battle by
prosecution instituted too late TO be
determined before the election. when
all the facts relied upon to incriminate
him were as well known 10 the as yet
hidden prosecutors months ago as they
are today. In this age OF universal
schools and newspapers personal de-
famation and political prosecutions
which must be tried after the political
contest is over carry no conviction TO
the people OF honesty of purpose or de-
votion to law and an honest public
policy"
When the first proclamation Of the
charges was made. with the informa-
ton that the whole police machinery
Of the city and county was thought TO
be so unequal TO serving the warrants
that they had been put in the hands
of the Pinkertons-a body Of men so
obnoxious that a bill was introduced in
the legislature not long ago forbid
ding their employment in this state
public interest was worked up 10 a
high pitch. Nervous women who had
relatives in the army might well trem-
bic at the prospect that the district at
torney might yet call the troops back
into the field. in order to have the war
rants served upon these desperate men
at the point OF the bayonet. When II
was announced. apparently by author
ity. that the district attorney was about
to mount a guard, armed with a rife
and two revolvers. at the vault con-
tanning the evidence, there was a nat
ural curiosity to hear some of this
precious evidence. When the first de-
fendants were arraigned the magis-
trate's room was thronged almost TO
suffocation.
That was last week. This week.
when Mr.. Haywood was arraigned.
only a corporaPs guard OF loungcrs
about police headquarters retained
curiosity enough to attend. The peo-
pie had digested the samples OF what
the district attorney calls evidence.
and rated il at what IL was worth. The
great sensation didn't last long enough
to be even a nine days wonder. The
tone Of the state newspapers corre-
spends with this situation. and the
comments OF hundreds Of men who
have been honestly opposed TO Sena-
tor Quay, but who despise assassina-
ton of character as a campaign
weapon. accords with 1t. The reason
OF this is not hard to find. II is not
that the people of Pennsylvania are
willing TO cloak guilt in any man. or 10
permit any station, however high. OF
any past services. however great, 10
check the machinery of justice.
But the common sense of fair mind
ed men revolts at seeing the machinery
of the courts turned over TO any po-
litical faction to be used as an instru-
ment Of personal spite and disappointed
ambition.
For justice. all place a temple, and
ali season summer"
But the only temple In all this city
which suited the purpose Of this prose-
cution, into which to take a senator
Of the United States. was the COM
mon police court. where the odoriferous
drunk and the greasy vagrant have
their daily morning hearings. and in all
this long summer. during which ali
the books and papers were in the hands
Of the assistant district attorney. there
was no seasonable date for beginning
this prosecution until just a sew days
too late TO be tried before the election.
II may be only q coincidence that dur
ing all these months OF silence the dis
trict attorney. after is consecutive
years in office. expected 10 be again
rsnominated. and that the suits were
Instituted shortly after he was notified
by Republican leaders OF all factions
that they would not challenge an up
rising Of the church and fireside vote
OF thss moral community by putting
him Sgaln on the ticket. II the CO.
incidence is not significant 1t is at least
unfortunate.
The evidence OF dishonesty OF purpose
In the time of bringing the prosecu-
ton. within few weeks OF the election.
after delaying for five months. compels
even Colonel Mcclure TO acknowledge
IL.
The character Of theevidence present.
ed. and the manner Of conducting the
hearing. were equally discrediting. The
defendants were not given the privilege
which in common decency belongs TO
he lowest suspicious character-that
Of being confronted with their accusers.
The most searching cross examination
failed to uncover the mysterious per-
sons who were behind the prosecutions.
A hired detective in the district attor-
ney's Office made the information. and
even he was not put on the witness
stand. The fnformatiojawas made and
the hearing held before police magis-
trate who had for years been clerk ir
the Office of the district attorney. 20
whose influence he owed his job. The
special assistant district attorney was
the star witness for the prosecution.
The defense. of course. is not heard at
preliminary hearing.
II needed only a commitment TO prison
without the privilege OF bali to make
the whole proceedings as summary Ar
hitrary and one-sided as those by which
the police OF the czar consign whomso-
ever they zee fit to the mines OF Siberia.
or the Grand Turk has his Offending