Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-27
ALL GUILTY.
Jury So Reports in the Postal
Fraud Case.
Machen, Morenz and the Croft Broth
ers are Convicted.
Jury Asked for All the Evidence Pre-.
scented to Court.

Washington, Feb. 26.-"Guilty as in
dicted," was the verdict announced by
the foreman of the jury in the now ia
nous post Office conspiracy trial, short
ly after o'clock, tonight, stating at the
same time that this was the verdict as
to all four defendants. August w. Ma
chen, late general superintendent of the
rural free delivery division; George +.
Lcrenz of Toledo, Ohio. and Samuel A.
and Diller r. Croft of this city. The
jury had been out nine hours, although
the verdict was reached in eight hours
and twenty-five minutes.
There was a general astonishmcnt
that the jury had included in the con-
viction Samuel a. Croft, the Washing
ton policeman and inventor of the
Croft fastener, as to whom Holmes
Conrad, special counsel for the gov
crnmcnt, yesterday, informed the jury
he did not expect a conviction and that
lie personally did not believe in his
suilt
Immediately after the verdict was
rendered. Charles A. Douglas, in be-
half of all four defendants, filed mo-
tons for 4 new trial, for an arrest Of
judgment and also for an appeal for
for the purpose of having the defend
ants admitted to bail. Bail was then
fixed at $4,000 each, the bond of Lo-
REM and the two Groffs being increased
from $4,000 to that sum. Bail was
furnished in each case.
The four defendants will appear be-
fore Justice Pritchard, tomorrow morn
ing, to receive their sentence, which
&c.
a motion for a new trial and an APP
peal.
Washington, Feb. 26.-Immediately
aftc" criminal court convened, Friday,
Justice Pritchard charged the jury in
the postal case.
Justice Pritchard concluded his
charge at IL O'Clock. and the jury at
once retired. His charge was as fol-
lows:
Justice Pritchard in his charge to the
jury set out the various counts in the
indictment and said the defendants
are presumed to be innocent, and that
that presumption amounts to evidence
introduced in their behalf and remains
with them until the jury is satisfied
by evidence that convinces them be-
yond a reasonable doubt as to the de-
PENDANTS guilt. He said it was insum-
bent on the government to prove the
allegations contained in the Indictment
by evidence sufficient to satisfy the
jury as to the defendants guilt be-
You'd a reasonable doubt. Continuing,
ne said.
"A reasonable doubt does not mean
every doubt that may fit through your
minds for which you could give reg
son if called upon to do so. IF, after
carefully considering the evidence and
the law as the court shall give it to
you. YOU ind a doubt which leaves
your minds unsatisfled. that will be a
doubt to which the defendants are en-
titled to he benefit: but they are Tot
entitled to the benefit of any doubts
which may not have Il reasonable
foundation in the evidence and in the
circumstances Of the case.
You are the sole judges of all uues-
tions OF fact, and in this respect the
court cannot be of any aid to you. You
have had an opportunity OF observing
the conduct of the witnesses while on
the stand as well as the interest which
any witness may have had in the trans
action about which he may have testi-
fed and these are matters which should
be considered by you in determining
the question as to the amount of
weight that you are to give to the evil
denCe of any witness that may have
been Introduced either by the govern
rlent or the defence.
1T is your duty to arrive at con-
clusion in considering the facts and
circumstances of this case the same as
you would come to a conclusion upon
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