The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-12-18
WAS IT? OR WAS IT NOT?

The Schneider and Bennett tragedy
is certainly one which has startled the
city. The question whether Clara
Schneider took her life or whether the
poison was administered to her by Ben
nett will be very difficult to solve, and
probably win never be solved seeing
that those, who played the principal
parts in the tragedy, have both gone
before the ultimate judge of all human
actions
The investigation will be carried on
now very thoroughly, but it is a great
pity that it was not conducted rapidly
There was possibly a mistake made. If
SO, it was an error of judgment. The
Deputy Sheriff no doubt thought that
by springing any questions on Bennett
too rapidly he would spoil his case. He
hoped that the investigation among the
druggists would bring forth evidence
which would lead to absolute know
ledge of where the drug was bought and
by whom. OF course if Bennett had
been arrested on Wednesday, shortly
after Clara Schneider's death, some
thing might have developed But was
there enough evidence\in the hands of
the police to warrant an arrest? The
Star has no desire to prejudice opinion
- one way or another in such a matter as
this. What the Star desires is perfect
fairness. 1t may be possible that a
grave mistake has been made. 1t may
also be possible that no mistake has
been made.
The theory with ha ptihliC
at the present moment is that Bennett
committed murder and then committed
suicide to avoid the consequences of his
act. This theory may prove true, but
there is a may about it, and there
should be considerable care in branding
mans memory with a serious crime,
unless there is a powerful reason to do
80. Certainly the evidence looks black
against Bennett, but evidence has look
ed black against many live men, and
still they have been proved innocent.
What The Star aims at in trying to
influence public opinion upon this point
is the necessity of not being hasty in
judgment. Reports of proceedings are
news, and are given as such, but deduc-
lions from such reports belong to the
public 1t is the duty of the public be-
fore aspersing the memory of Frank P.
Bennett, to be sure of it's ground.
Bennett had made a good record for
himself in the United States army. He
was regarded as strong charactered
man, and had held positions of great
trust. That he may have reached his
Capna in Honolulu is possible, but we
still he
man. One is 10th to believe evil of such
man, in such way as his memory is
possibly accused of. Were the man
alive it would be impossible to write
This way but he is dead True, he is
dead through his own rash act, but
even that does not prove him guilty Of
the crime he is supposed by so many to
nave been committed. 1t may cast
suspicion, it undoubtedly raises a very
grave suspicion, but suspicion is far
from certainty.
II one comes to suspicion there are
people in every community who stand
under suspicion, and even suspicion of
murder. There are countless such cases
on the mainland and in Europe, and
many of them are undoubtedly ground
less, but they cast a baleful gloom over
lives which are unjustly Swallowed. We
have had several similar cases here.
The shadow of supposed crime still
hangs over them in the minds of those
who heard and upon some who imagin-
ed they knew Much of this feeling is
unjust and illogical, but it exists never
the less.
What should be the attitude Of the
community upon a point of this kird is
very different attitude from what l.
really is. 1t is the nature of mankind
to rush to conclusions, and it is the law
of the news columns to supply material
which may bring about conclusions
When man is accused, or when his
memory is accused, as in the case un-
der discussion there should not be at
once jump at the conclusion that he
has committed a crime. A community
should strive to keep a judicial mind
but it never does. 1t always goes Of at
tangents.
Upon this case no doubt there viii be
much evidence, and it will have to be
carefully sifted, but it is absolutely no
use for any one to jump to conclusions
whether the person involved is alive or
dead Some day We might jump at a
wrong conclusion about a live person,
act upon it hastily and be sorry for Il
ever after. But sorrow does not wipe
out wrong.