Blue-grass blade., 1899-02-19

10 indictment for blasphemy and In
the next declared THAT Nc. Moore
was not being prosecuted, for his
peculiar beliefs. Whether This was
Intentional upon the part OF Mr..
Bundy or not, | do not know. But
] do know the effect that such an
''insinuation" will have upon
Christian jury, and l knoN IL was
not fair, and know that Moore
had had q capable lawyeJ Bundy
would have BEEN compelled TO con-
fine himself to the Free Love indict-
ment. II is this along with some
other things that impress me as !
have stated.
Mr.. Moore's defense in reply TO
Mr. Bundy's speech was about as
week an effort as a man could pos
sibly make. He seemed ratified aud
talked incoherently, and more about
himself than the indictment. But
there was some excuse for this. He
knew he was going TO be sentenced
TO prison. AT the noon recess be
told me that he felt it in the Judges
countenance; and the accusation OF
publishing Free Love paper, which
he felt he would not be given o chance
to disprove, depressed him greatly.
What with the pugnaclouSness Of
the District Attorney and e Chris
tian jury to face, he felt that be
was already condemned. He began
to realize his position, and thought
his best plan was to appeal to the
jury, and tell them about himself, and
his family, and impress them II be
could, that he was something more
taan Kentucky moonshiner or
counterfeiter. His talk excited
more amusement than sympathy, as
was plainly seen in the faces of the
jury.
The Judge leaned his head upon
his hand and to all appearasce went
to sleep. Likewise juryman in
cliued his head and appeared TO be
asleep. Moore was allowed to talk
fifteen minutes, when the Judge stop
ped HIM and reminded him that he
was not talking to the point, and
asked him how much TING he ex-
pectcd? Mr.. Moore told him that he
had not even began yet, >but " he
wanted to stop him at any time just
to say the word and he would QUIT. !"
"Alright, said the Judge, II will
take you at your word land tell
you when you have exhausted your
time"
Mr.. Moore than took up bis paper
which contained the language so
offensive to Rucker's piots optics,
and beginning with the q 9t article
attempted to show that@is paper
was not Free Love paper but that
| It was an Infidel- Prohibition paper.
He took up each article SEPARATELY,
read the headings, aud cdpmented
on the matter discussed loing bis
best In his feeble and cho 1 up way
to prove to the jury, nonY of whom
knew anything about his itper, that
IL Vas not q Es;-3 .I<c2 ll]xnal.
Why should not a man hay he right
and be granted the time to iisprove
false charge against HIM
The Court permitted hih 10 talk
fifteen minutes'and abruptly told him
that his time was up add TO sit
down. He then charged the jury
and sent them off to the JURY room.
1t only required fve minutes for
them TO declare a verdict ofguilty.
l have this now TO say shout Mr..
Moore's trial. l have been In the
Police Court in this city where q
thief with only a thirty days work
house sentence confronting him
was given more respectful con-
sideration than was given Mr.. Moore
in this trial. ! have seen old buns
tried for lettering, and their ram
bling tales told without the Judge
resting his head as inclined TO sleep,
or to express his weariness.
l have known OF trials where q
man was being prosecuted f3r sheep
stealing, trials lasting more than .
week, yes for weeks at q time, with
the examination OF many witnesses
to go through with, and lawyers
spending half day at time In
single speech, but Mr.. Moore was
allowed little pitiful thirty min
utes, to 20 over q defense which in
volved q far reaching and critical
examination; which required the
most delicate handling before jury,
which from appearance would be
slow In comprehension OF an apalyti-
cal subject of any kind. When time
was called on Mr.. Moore, be had
come to himself and was presenting
a good argument.
Mr.. Moore did not summon sim |
gle witness, while be might have
had fifty II he had so chosen. Since |
be occupied no time In his defense !!
by the examination OF witnesses, it |
looks as though he ought, at least,
TO have had a reasonable amount OF
The time generally occupied 10 taking |
testimony.
Whether Mr.. Moore presented bis
,ase Ia a rustic manner or not;
whether he was a little uncouth In
n observing the dignified proprie-
lies OF United States Court, still
,e Is an American citizen; and
without witnesses, aud Christian
ury to face, his very weakness
should have been bis defense. He
vas acting as his own lawyer, and
L III A a.. I