The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-07-01
FUNDS FOR KELLER
Rev. E. 1. Stoddard Makes
Appeal for Sum to Sus-
tain Clergyman.
BELIEVES HIM INNOCENT
But Says Any Man Thinking
Him Guilty Might Well
Subscribe to Have
Fact Brought to
Light.

In st. Johns ssBulletin of Saturday
the Rev. e. T. Stoddard, rector Of So
Johns 2 r. Church, writes the follow
sss5tsfts the Res sais Kellef.-
sge have no intention of discussing
this ease, for that has been sufficiently
done in the daily papers, but write for a
very different purpose. Many people are
so convinced from the evidence already
made public that the charge against Mr..
Keller is most improbable, contradictory
and untrue, that they require no further
proof of his innocence. There are others
who feel that he is innocent, but think
that he himself should demand an inves-
tigation. But if this action is to be taken
by him, or whether it is taken or not,
there is something to be done by the
men and women of this diocese.
Before coming to that. however, let me
make two or three statements.
First, as native or adopted Jerseymen,
we have reason to be thankful and proud
at the result of the late trial. For as
has been said, it was not only trial of
Mr. Barker, but of lynch law. If any man
can run out and shoot his neighbor be-
cause he fancies with ever SO good a
reason that he has grievance against
him, then not only is there not man
or woman in the city who may not be
the innocent victim of mistake or pas
sion, but the great safeguards which
through the ages civilization has reared
in defence of life and liberty have bro
ken down, and we have gone back to
barbarism.
Secondly when we remember the trial
of Captain Dreyfus in. which melodrama,
hysteria, personal opinion and oratorical
fiction were all allowed to disport them
selves, and compare that farce with the
speedy, calm, judicial march of law in
the Boschieter and Barker trials, in which
the single issue was steadily held in view,
and all the irrelevant garbage was kept
outside in covered cans, we may feel
grateful that we were born where Anglo
Saxon principles have force, where a
man is condemned not by what people
think, but by what they know, and that
of all Anglo-Saxon communities little
Jersey stands among the highest in her
method of judicial procedure.
sssayss IA this aountTy d raa1a 7s a7-
wsly's TO be considered innocent until
proven guilty AS we have already said,
diocese as well as Mr.. Keller that he ask
for an investigation, that he may be not
only considered but proved innocent
But this costs money. Mr.. Keller is
a poor man, rector of small church
which pays a small salary. The expense
of his sickness and of this trial must
have been very large. He is injured for
life and perhaps never can continue his
profession or any other means of live
lihood If he is to demand an investiga-
tion of the charge against him, as we
hope he will. it means money. In view
of this I think we all feel that the
churchmen of this diocese should come to
his assistance.
.The rector of st. Johns at once sent
a small amount to the afflicted man,
peal till the trial should be over. He now
makes an appeal for a handsome sum
to help sustain this crushed man until
his health shall be restored and to en-
able him to pay the expense of an inves-
tigation
I'VE quite agree that he personally
may well forgive his assailant. But that
has nothing to do with his seeking to
clear his name and removing all possible
doubt We believe, and have good rea-
sons for believing, him absolutely inno-
cent.
But a man, If such there be- who be-
lieves him guilty. might well subscribe to
have the facts brought to light.
The rector would be glad to receive
from any source offerings for the pur-
poses set forth in this article, and will
acknowledge all such, unless the donors
wish their names withheld.