The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-06-27

which all government and good order are
founded-the love of family.
AS ycur Honor well knows, it is only
half truth TO say that all men are equai
before the law. If his assault had been
made upon some drunken ex-convict in
stead of upon a clergyman in holy orders
whose calling drew to his aid the SYM
pathy and authority and influence of a
great church, who can doubt that his
crime would have been differently namel,
although legally it would be the same:
1.-The jury has said that he mad no legal
excuse for his crime, therefore ne must
suffer; but cannot your honor reconcile
your judicial duties with the imposition of
a light sentence? VIII not your Honor
remeber Barker's manly bearing on the
stand, his absolute truthfulness. although
that very truthfulness deprived him of
his own chance to enjoy that liberty, that
position, that honor among men which
the verdict of The jury has taken from
him.
"I4e told the truth and was convicted by
what he SAID. Many man placed Ii
such fearful temptation would have said
the favorable thing. the self saving
thing, Is not that to be considered? Is
not the Jersey justice about which We
hear so much in these days mindful OF
these things? Cannot your Honor ina-
pose short sentence which wig at the
same time be an adequate sentence?"
Without any delay Judge Blair, i'm
mediatey at the conclusion of counsels
remarks, addressing himself to the pris-
oner. said
"A jury of your own selection have
found you guilty of an assault with in
tent to kill, and the high character of that
jury satisfies the court of the entire corr
rectness of their verdict. After a patient
trial, in which you were defended by
counsel learned in the law, with a skill
and ingenuity which left nothing undone,
and with a spirit of persistence worthy
of better defense, you were promptly
convicted. The court unhesitatingly con-
firms that conviction. 1t is signal illus
tration of the yindication of the violated
law, and in complete harmony with the
lofty tradition of this law respecting and
law enforcing commonwealth. Your con-
viction will teach wholesome lesson to
those who, in the future, may be tempted
to take the law into their own hands in
their efforts to avenge either real or
imaginary wrongs.
"The circumstances developed on the
trial presented no legal or satisfactory
defense to the charge of shooting, and
your conviction was therefore inevitable.
Many communications have been address,
ed to the court in your behalf. While the
court, feels that there is nothing in your
crime, from strictly legal standpoint,
which should relieve you from the ex-
treme penalty of the law-seven years inn
prisonment and two thousand dollars fine
lit also feels that something may well
be pardoned to human weakness. in the
face of great provocation, and some len
iency perhaps shown for the exercise of
very natural though wholly unwar-
ranted passion.
Feeling thus, and hoping that this ac-
ton viii not be construed as any abate-
ment whatever of the vigorous admins
tratfon or justice. habisuaf among us, Che
court is not inclined to impose upon you
the full penalty which the law authorizes.
1.-THE sentence of the law is, that you
be confined in State Prison at hard labor
for period of five years, and thence
An expression of relief overspread the
convicted mans countenance as Judge
Blair concluded He turned from the bar
of the court and as he was being led
from the court room to the jail by Dep
uty Sheriff Hague look almost of de-
fance was in his eyes as they wandered
around the crowded court room as if in
quest of some of those whose sympathies
were against him. None of his steadfast
friends of the trial, except VIM. J..
Thompson, to whom Mrs. Barker made
the confession which almost resulted
in the death of the Arlington clergyman,
were in court.
Mrs. Barker, who had visited her hus-
band in the jail yesterday afternoon and
spent an hour and half with him, was
not present today.
OF the more prominent friends of the
wounded clergyman the only one who
put in an appearance was Lawyer Joseph
Parker Jr., of Orange, his legal adviser.
Mr.. Parker sat in seat in the jury
box during the entire proceedings. When
sentence had been pronounced he was
asked if any action looking towards a
complete vindication of the accused cler-
gyman had yet been decided upon.
mot that I know Of, replied Mr.
Parker.
sWill any action be taken that will
reveal Mrs. Barkers story and give Mr.
Keller an opportunity to reply to it?H he
was asked.
Mr.. Keller is only too anxious for an
opportunity to show the world the utter
falsity of the woman's charge but
neither he nor his friends can see how
either a civil suit or church trial will
accomplish that result"
fThen it is understood that no such ac-
tion will be taken?'
Il did not say so. 7 do not know.
What do say is that Mr.. Keller's friends
believe that no matter what action is
taken it will not satisfy the whole public.
It must necessarily be the woman's word
against the mans and those who now be-
iieve Mrs. Barker's story would probably
continue to believe it no matter what
proof was offered in contradiction On
the other side the friends of Mr.. Keller
who know that he is innocent would not
have that belief strengthened,
''Is Mr.. Keller likely to apply to Bishop
Stsrkey for a church trial?"
''Again I must say that do not know.
His friends believe that the result of a
| trial of that sort would be regarded by
the ron-church going element as a white-