The San Francisco call., 1898-12-10
SEVEN YEARS
 IMPRISONMENT ( FOR BECKER Sentence Passed by Judge Wallace. THE PRISONER IS DELIGHTED MANIFESTED HIS PLEASURE IN
 MANY WAYS. Stay of Twenty Days Granted-M. J. Gallagher Goes to San Quentin
 for Term of Four
 Years.
THE PRISONER IS DELIGHTED
MANIFESTED HIS PLEASURE IN
 MANY WAYS.

Karl Becker, the 'prince of forgers," stood with bowed head before Judge Wal lace yesterday morning when sentence twas imposed upon him for his crime of forging draft and successfully dimin- ishtng the funds of the Nevada Bank in the sum of $22 900. As arranged the aged forger was sentenced to spend the next seven years, if he msbehaves, within the walls of San Quentin prison, while if his behavior is beyond reproach about four months will be stricken from each year and less than five years will again see him free man.
 Owing to the great interest in the case the courtroom was thronged with the curious when the time for passing sen- tence arrived. In answer to the call of his name the convict stood up and Judge Wallace reviewed the charge against him and asked him if he had anything to say before sentence was pronounced
 The prisoner remained silent, and Judge Wallace continued
 You have denied the prior conviction as set forth in the indictment and no proof of the allegation that a prior con- Niction has been had against you has been admitted The proposition has been submitted that you be sent to San Quen- tin for term of seven years. The law of this case would permit the court to pass sentence of fourteen years, and, of been reached regarding a lighter sentence by counsel is not binding. upon the court.
  sociation has joined in the plea that you be given a term of seven years and no more: still this is a prosecution on the S'part of the people and the request of the party injured is not to be more considered than a request made by any other person who forms part and parcel of the com monwealth. have long pursued the plan of making punishment severe for the pur- pose of suppressing crime and l have sent many. to prison for long terms. but if list of those that were kept from prison could be had it would be found that those who again returned to evil ways are in the large majority. In this case, howev- CT, as in all cases, we must respect the opinions of others, and if all parties in interest in this case suggest seven years as sufficient punishment, while it is in my power, I do not feel disposed to ad- vance my opinion against that of others. Under the circumstances it is the opin- ion of this court that the judgment should be and 1t is that the defendant be imprisoned in San Quentin for the term of seven years.''
 Becker turned to his counsel with a smile upon his face and Attorney Me Pike for the defense rose and asked the court to grant stay for twenty days. then descended from the bench. Becker shook hands with his counsel and in with the short term imposed by the court With a life sentence staring him in the face it seemed like freedom and he was grateful for the favor
 Prior to passing sentence upon the mo- ted forger Judge Wallace disposed of the case of N. J. Gallagher convicted of grand larceny Gallaghers case is a sad one With five children dependent upon him for support he turned into the road of crime and systematically carried off large quantities of painters materials from the firm of Whittier Fuller & Co. Attorney J. N. F. Wilson made a plea for mercy for his client, and as mercy was also recommended by the jury, Judge Wallace sentenced the prisoner to four years in San Quentin. Many. were of the opinion that a sentence of ten years would be im~osed upon Gallagher, and in consequence the sentence was looked up- on as reasonable, taking into considera- ton the fact that there was no excuse for the many crimes committed by the prisoner and that the amount of his thefts is large.