Middletown transcript., 1902-01-18
STATE AND MARYLAND NEWS
WHITE PLEADS GUILTY

Harry NJ. White, former Levy Cour
Commissioner of New Castle County, wa
arraigned in the Court of General Session
Monday morning, and pleaded guilty t,
obtaining $7.75, county money, for which
he could not satisfactorily account, ant
was sentenced to pay fine of $275, ant
be confined in the workhouse for mint
months. Mr.. White was placed in the
custody of Warden Meserve, and after
bidding goodbye to his counsel and
friends was taken to the county work
house. On the assurance of John II,
Rodney, his counsel, that the fine in
this case and the costs in the other three
indictments against Mr.. White weuld be
paid, other cases against Mr.. White were
abandoned.
After the court had been regularly
opened, Chief Justice Lore announced
that this date had been set apart for
hearing the White case.
ATTORNEYS ENTER THE PLEA.
John H. Rodney, who, with Alexander
B. Cooper, has been the legal adviser of
Mr.. White, arose and addressed the
court as follows:
Before entering the plea for the de-
fendant, by the courtesy of the Attorney
General and permission OF your honors,
bis counsel desire to submit certain con-
siderations to the court.
"His counsel have known him well
and fayorably for years, and for myself
may say have known him all his life.
He comes of family of respectability
and honesty, and he, himself, has always
exhibited these characteristics.
HE finds himself now in most un-
fortunate situation, and sone which we
think appeals to the clemency of this
court. The case presented by this in
dictment is legally true, and so far as the
evidence of the prosecuting witness is
it would be admitted.
'The indictment charges a fraudulent
bill in favor of Harry G. Enos for s62. 25,
and warrant drawn for this amount,
whereas the witness did not perform the
work charged for, or receive the said
sum of money.
"This must be admitted.
'The statement as made by the defen-
dant to his counsel land of which the
evidence is here present in court), is that
only $3.50 was due to the said Enos.
This was paid by the defendant out of his
OWN pocket before the bill was presented
20 the Levy Court. When SO presented
,ther bills due from the county, aggre-
eating the full amount, were combined
with it, all of which can be accounted for
except the sum of $7.75, of this sum the |
defendant can give no explanation which |
would be legally satisfactory to the court |
lud the jury, owing to the carelessness
md neglect which prevailed. This care
ess and neglect has placed him in the
'osition of making it impossible for him
o successfully defend against the whole
harge.
Feeling that, under these circum-
tances, the clemency of this court may
'roperly be invoked, his counsel for him,
landing, as he does, within the shadow
t the entrance of his punishment, and
till giving to him their full friendship,
most earnestly ask that it be extended"
SENTENCE PASSED.
Mr.. White stood the ordeal well, but
he court was visibly affected when the
'hief Justice said: l.
"Mr. White, stand up. It is the sem
snce of the court that you forfeit the
um of $275 and be imprisoned for the
.rm Of nine months"
As Mr.. White left the Court House he
'as met by many friends, who extended
Fmpathy. A workhouse guard was in .
barge of the prisoner, but upon the .
'uple arriving at the sheriff's Office, Mr..
fhite was permitted to approach John I
. Taylor, former sheriff of the county, ,
ho accompanied Mr.. White to the Office s
John H. Rodney. The guard pro- I
'eded down Market street, Mr.. White 6
the trip to the workhouse I
ter. Ii