The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-13
TOO SEVERE.
The Punishment of A. G.. Stacey
For Violation
Of the Postal Laws is More Than
Warranted.
A FINE is ENOUGH.
Stacey Has Written Thousands
of Columns Helping Kansas
And Helping Kansas People
Who Ought to Extend
A MercifuI Hand to Him in His
Extremity.
FINE Is ENOUGH.

A. G. Stacey, the Kansas newspaper
man, was yesterday sentenced to one
year and one day in the penitentiary by
Judge Riner in the federal court. Pre-
ceding the sentence Judge Riner over
ruled the motion for a new trial filed
by Stacey's attorneys.
Application was at once made for a
stay of execution until an appeal case
could be made for the United States
court of appeals, and this was granted
by Judge Riner. However, he fixed the
stay bond at $1,000, and it is doubtful
if a bond for this amount can be given.
Stacey has by his newspaper writ
ings, helped hundreds of people in this
state during the years he has been IN
newspaper work, and an effort will be
made to have his sentence committed to
a, fine, even if the matter has to be
taken to President Mckinley. While all
who know him are unanimous in the
opinion that for writing and distribut-
ing the circular letter which caused his
arrest there should be some punish
ment, yet the general opinion is that
the penitentiary sentence is too severe.
A fine would seem to be enough to fit
the case.
At the time the article was written
there is no doubt A. G. Stacey was un-
der great mental strain, approaching
temporary alteration of the mind.
Some allowance ought to be made for
this.
When Mr.. Stacey was asked by Judge
Riner if he had anything to say be-
fore sentence was pronounced yesterday
afternoon, he referred to his career in
this state and said that if he had not
been labOring under great mental
strain he was sure the trouble would
not have occurred. In this way he prac-
tically admitted having at least written
the circulars, but conveyed the idea
that he was not in his right mind.
Probably every man in the state who
knows him believes he was at least
temporarily insane when he wrote and
mailed the improper circulars. Such is
the opinion of those in this city who
have known him for years. Mr.. P. 1.
Ronebrake said this morning:
Il think it too severe sentence to
send Stacey to the penitentiary for a
year. I think he was insane at the time
he committed the Offense, and was there
! fore not responsible for his actions. I
think a Jail sentence of 80 days would
be sufficient to show him his error, and
warn him against a similar offense''
Il believe an asylum instead of a pen
itentiary is the proper place for
| Stacev,' said Col. A. s. Johnson today
4 don't believe he would have written
and distributed those circulars had he
| been in his right mind. 1 am sorry he
| has to go to the penitentiary."
Mr.. J. w. Gleed said: IF the condi-
| ton of Stacey's mind at the time ne
wrote the circular had Been fully ex-
| planned to Judge Riner I do not be-
lieve he would have sentenced him to
| the penlIenIldGy. Inc man was u1l-
doubtedly unbalanced to some extent. y
Captain Joe Waters said: Stacey
has always been rather vindictive, but
I can't conceive of a man of his intel
IiSence writing such thing as that cir
cular while in his right mind. I don't
think the sentence severe for the Of
| fense, but I don't think insane men
should be sent to the penitentiary''
If it is impossible to secure the stay
bond of $4,000 in order that a case may
be made for the United States court of
appeals Stacey will have to go to the
federal penitentiary. The only re-
course will then be to secure a pardon
or Communication of sentence from the
president.