The Washington times., 1905-02-01
BLACK PROSPECTS
Do NOT BRIGHTEN
AUGUST v. NACHEN
"No Shadow of Guilt on
Conscience, He
Declares.
WILL, STUDY IN PRISON
At Verge of Penitentiary He
Talks With Calm Phil
osophy.
WILL STUDY In PRISON

.-I have not the slightest shadow of
guilt on my conscience
Il am not afraid of the next two
years
Il mean to study every day. if they
will let me-
physically I ought to improve great
iy"
THE fight may be hard when 1 take
it up again l am not afraid of it,
shall be ready for it, And have enough
to fight for-enough and to spare
These fragments OF an interview rep
resent the attitude OF August " Ma
chen. removed in disgrace from his m
portant post as chief of the free delivery
system in the Postoff1ce Department,
stripped of influence which was said to
exceed that of the Postmaster General.
convicted of felony. and awaiting by
only half a months distance, deporta-
ton to a prison
Must Bear Brand of Thief.
There, in a penitentiary. for two years
-or as much less a time as good be-
havior may make 1.-THE must bear the
brand of a convicted thief, dress in the
shaming striped garb of convicts, work
with convicts-breaking stone OF cob
bling shoes-sleep in a cell, and live,
shoulder to shoulder. with cut-throats,
derers.
And when his sentence is fulfilled and
he.is free again TO wear the clothes OF
honest men. he must begin anew, IN
the fierce light CT public suspicion, the
fight for his fan.iIy-s standing. his bust
ness credit. and his self respect.
Yet Mr. BIachen looks calmly into TINS
black prospect. His face Is fairly y by
smile of confidence. His eye IS as
- Il
the last two years of insistent aceusa-
ton disdainful denial, loss of faith,
friendships withdrawn, Indictment. trial,
conviction of little thefts and large
breaches of trust. and sentence as a
felon in spite of all that resourcefui
counsel and steely nerve could do.
Ate Heartily of Luncheon.
He talked with reporter for The
Times while seated at a table in a public
cafe. Near him were half a dozen men
wEo recognized him. Out of that num-
ber only one spoke to him as a friend.
And in the serene disregard Of the Whfs-
,,t-s around him, Of the significant ah-
sorption OF his former associates, and OF
the dreadful two years gaping before
him. Mr.. Machen ate heartily of his
luncheon ard bore himself with every
air of confidence and every show of
eoura sc.
q feel well he said. and as he spoke
his voice had the same ring of authority
as when he sat behind his desk in the
division of free delivery in the Postoftice
building and granted favors to members
Of Congress
II am really better than I have beer
for long time. But 1 expect TO be II
still better health after about two years
Il suppose You know the court has
gone against me. Y eli. that convictS
me as far as the law can do it. But
have not the slightest shadow of gull
on nay conscience
VIII Study Every Day.
SO am not afraid of the next two
years. I mean 10 work hard And I an
going to take with me all the books
studied in eouege-esp specially my Latin
and Greek. mean TO study every day
il they Will let mt. When l come GU
/ expect TO have reviewed my whole
course and have gotten a lot Of culture
out of it.
L shall write all the letters they viii
permit. II l can I mean to keep righ
abreast OF the times. Ii can do tina
and study besides. the next TWO years
will be worth a great deal TO me il
spite of the way / am TO spend them.
Physically, l ought TO improve great
ly l shall have plenty Of exercise, O
course. and be always at it. My weigh
ought to go off until / weigh exactly as
much as a man of my height ought Il
weigh, but no more And then / shall
be ready for the new fight.
Laughed and Smiled.
There were interruptions, from time t
time, of course. But Mr.. Machen'
thought seemed 10 be conservative. H.
laughed and smiled constantly, ant
talked very pleasantly.
The fight may be hard" he went or
when / take it up again. | am no
afraid of it, | shall be ready for i
These next two years will help m