The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-02
JONES' PATENT LAWLEsSNESs.

Is there to be no end from the stink
arising from the verdict of the jury who
convicted Jones, of Allegheny, of per-
jury. He was tried by a Republican
judge in Republican county, by jury
composed almost entirely Of Republic
cans and convicted of perjury. To es-
cape the full penalty an agreement was
reached in which he paid more than five
hundred dollars.
After conviction and the payment of
that sum-, Jones should have skunk away
and been thankful to be let alone. But.
instead of hiding himself in the noun
tains and praying for them to fall on him
and cover up his sins, Jones emerges
from the trial as the leader of the Re-
publican forces and is a bigger man than
before he was convicted of perjury. Two
days after his conviction, Collector Har-
kins gives him an appointment in the in
ternal revenue department, and he is
given laurel wreath with the words
Leader of the G., o. P. and Brandy
Gauger." intertwined in the wreath. He
receives the plaudits Of the Republican
organs and the Republican judge who
tried the case writes him certificate of
character. An appeal is made to Senator
Pritchard to remove the convicted per-
jurer from office. Does he heed the ap-
peal? Not much. He and "Hesh" Har-
kins stick to the convicted perjurer closer
than a brother. Why? Is it because
Jones, elected as Democrat to the Leg
islature Of 1899, promised to vote for
Pritchard for reelection to the Senate if
necessary? If that is not the explanation
of all this to do by Republican Senators,
judges, brandy gaugers and other messy
backs, what is the explanation? Jones
has not distinguished himself in any way.
Why he is he thus honored over other
Radicals who have been convicted Of
perjury?
The latest development in the Jones
case is that Commissioner Harkins has
which to make full statement in writ
ing concerning the perjury case, and in
the event of failure to make clear case
of innocence of wrong intent his resigna-
tion will be accepted Was anything
like this ever heard of before in a law
abiding country? Here is a man who
had fair trial at the hands of Republic
can officials and Republican judge and
was found guilty of perjury. Next day
he is given Federal position. When all
honest men denounced such fragrant
violation of the rules that should govern
the appointment of men to office, instead
of abiding by the lawful method and pro-
cedure the Republican politicians send
word to Harkins that he must prove that
he had no wrong intent" How will he
proceed to secure this proof? News
reaches here from Allegheny that Jones
has been travelling over the county with
a petition setting forth belief in his in
nocence of wrong intent. OF course such
statements and petitions are worse than
farce, being only an ex parte statement
of the belief of Jones' friends.
If every man convicted of perjury can
get Federal office upon an ex parte
statement of his friends that they do not
believe he had wrong intent the
men who are not convicted will have lit
tie chance of Federal pie under Harkins
And if yerdicts of juries are to be set
aside for ex parte petitions, what is the
use of having courts and juries at all !?
Why not try everybody by ex parte pc
titions?