The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-06-24
THE BURDICK CASE.

From the Springfield Republican.
Now and then a case of mysterious
homicide arises that not merely at
! tracts but enthralls the attention of
the whole country. The Burdick case
in Buffalo ranks with the most cele-
brated or most Notorious of these, if
one may judge by the widespread in
terest with which it has been viewed
in all kinds of society. Not alone the
element of mystery has excited atten-
ton, the standing and character of the
chief Lersonages of the tragedy also
have given flip to the popular curio-
sity. Besides, the scandalous phases
of the inner family life which the case
has laid bare so relentlessly have es-
pecially appealed TO that large num-
Der who never fail to be interested in
perverted marital relations.
Judge Murphy's summing up of the
evidence at the inquest will impress
most people who have followed the
case as very fair. There has been no
evidence presented that associates any
one with the actual commission of the
crime, consequently the judge finds
that the murder was tho work of some
person unknown. AS cor Mr.. Pennell.
he was the only human being who had
sufficient motive to kill Burdick, and,
in view of his relations with Mrs. Bur-
oral and written. there would be suff1-
cient ground for causing his arrest ON
suspicion, were he alive. But the
judge is no more than fair in adding
that the dead deser\ IS the same treat
ment as the living; which is to say
that Mr.. Pencil is presumably lima.
cent until his guilt can be proved IT
should be said, furthermore. that while
his arrest on suspicion would be jusci-
q n nNyi1 hi he
public knowledge that necessarily con-
dennis him as a murderer. Had Mr..
Pennell lived and undergone trial for
his life, the chances would have been
according to present information. that
his conviction would have been imfOs-
sible, under the practice of the New
York courts.
Still, the weight of public opinion in
clines heavily against the late Mr..
Pennell; and this judgment is at least
the terrible punishment which is visit
ed upon the man because of hiI social
sins. 1nasmuch as these celebrated
cases OF mysterious homicide are sure
to be widely examined, and their scan
dalOus accomplishments studied almost
with a microscope by millions of read
ers of the public press, the real les
sons of the tragedy should not be miss
ed by any one. In the Burdick case sin
1
nell did no more than break up Bur
dicks home, and was innocent of the
actual murder, yet he has been visited
with Unreasonable retribution in his
fate; for, If innocent of assassinat ton.
he cannot now convince the majority
of his fellow-men that on his hands
there was no blood. AS for the woman
upon whose weakness he had PLAYED
with his attractive manners and his
h terla Nj To-. L..
able as one could conceive. The whole
wretched affair is a warning that
those who play false to their most sac
red vows tempt a degradation and a
ruin worse than death.
The fact that Mr.. Pennell was a ale
graduate should not prejudice any one
against a college education. Nor should
there be a disposition to believe that
the revelations of the case necessarily
indicate widespread or growing loose
ness among married people who are
received in respectable society. Domes-
tic relations in this country are really
much purer on the whole, than they
were in the 18th century in England.
when a father like Lord Holland de-
liberately introduced his own son. the
famous Charles Fox to social vices in
Paris, because he considered such
things part of the education of an Eng
lish gentleman. At the same time, it
cannot be ignored that growth of lux
urious and idle living, the increase Of
mere misunderstanding, exposes the
weather. portion of our people 10 those
vices which have always afflicted
polite society,"" But the heart of the
American home remains sound and
pure, nspite Of the occasional lapses
which may or may not become known
to the world
Twenty-Five cents pays for a Want
ad in the Star. A bargain.