New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-10
THE WILKESBARRE VERDICT.

The aconittal of Sheriff Martin and his depu-
ties who have been on trial for the murder OF
striking miners at Latt'mer. Penn. last Septem-
ber has provoked an outburst Of defamation
from the same malignant spirits whom Judge
Woodward was compelled 10 expose and rebuke
more than once while the testimony was being
presented This vrulent clamor Is therefore
explained by the source from which 1t comes,
and will not affect the Judgment Of single
intelligent and disinterested citizen. The trial
was conducted with scrupulous regard for the
rights Of all concerned, and the verdict rem
dered by jury Of superior quality, Is entitled
to full respect The lamentabe occurrence
which resulted in indictments for murder natu-
rally produced intense excitement throughout
the mining region Of Pennsylvania, and 1t is
not strange that contradictory versions of the
affair. rejecting little knowledge and much
prejudice. should have rapidly multiplied to such
an extent as to leave those DESTROYS only OF
knowing the truth and UNFOLDING justice in a
state Of doubt Under those circumstances the
Indictments were found, and a grave and per
picking case submitted TO the regular proc
esses of the law for determination.
The essential point at issue whether or
not the police powers Of the county of Luzerne
his posse comitatuo IN the performance OF their
solemn obligation 10 preserve the peace and
defend life and property. The alleged cruelty
of mine-owners and the distressful condition
OF their men were not involved IN the case,
though they were imported into It to some ex-
tent by the ingenuity Of counsel and still more
by the malevolence OF persons In attendance
upon the trial. There is little doubt, we think,
that public opinion at the outset inclined 10 the
view that Sheriff Martin and his deputies had
not evinced those high qualities Of Judgment
and self-control which are properly required Of
men In their position. and there IS no doubt that
the witnesses for the prosecution on direct ex-
animation strengthened that unfavornble i'm
preston. But their crossexamination and the
testimony for the defence radically changed the
complexion Of the case. 1t was proved beyond
the possibility Of doubt that prior TO the shoot
ing repeated acts of violence, inspired by a
general temper Of lawlessDess among the
miners throughout the region, had justified the
apprehension Of n riot IN consequence Of an
organized demonstration at certain time and
place and laid upon the Sheriff the duty OF
preserving order at that time and place It
was proved that at two points upon their march
toward Lattlmer the strikers were formally and
with due authority ordered to disperse and that
in both cases they disobeyed the orders issued
TO them In exact accordance with the law. In
so doing they became lawbreakers and liable
70 the consequences Of lawbreaking. The first
time they escaped through the forbearance of
the Sheriff. The second time they were stopped
by the fatal fire OF officers Of the law, In whose
behalf It was claimed that they were warrant
ed In believing that their own lives were In
danger. though the admission OF that claim was
not strictly essential TO their legal Justification
The thing that was strictly essential was con.
vlncing proof that the purpose Of the Sheriff
and the posse was 70 preserve order and that
they acted upon n reasonable estimate Of what
WAS necessary to accomplish that purpose The
Jury accepted the evidence submitted as con-
elusive on that point. and verdict Of acquittal
followed. There is every reason to believe that
It Is a just verdict and every reason to rejoice
that. In the Judgment OF q competent tribunal.