The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-01-28
Dnty Well Done.

w 1th the bringing In OF verdict o.
guilty as charged in the case of Jules
Valentine all but the final scene was
enacted in a drama that has stirred
the emotions Of the people Of this com
munity to greater extent and created
more intense feeling than any crime
committed in recent years within tbs
borders of Ascension parish. It was
due in large measure to the good
sense and sound judgment Of our citi
zens that the brutal negro was ever
permitted TO stand trial before a court
of law, and We canno repress feeling
of pride and satisfaction than this was
the case. Valentines crime was OF
| such dastardly nature, the cowardly
blow was SO terrible in it's conse-
quences to the estimable lady who was
made the victim OF the atrocious as
sault, that after the negroes confession
was made public threats Of lynching
we're openly INDUCED in and an out
ragged citizenry demanded that swift
and summary punishment be meted
out TO the black fend. We are glad to
say, however, that calmer counsel
prevailed and 1t was decided to let the
law take its course. The wisdom OF
this course was fully demonstrated by
the result OF Valentines trial and is
bound to afford much qualification to
all who are conversant with the cir
cumstances. The verdict was in ac-
cord ance with the law and the evidence
and was what the people of this COM
munity expected and demanded. While
some surprise was manifested that the
jury should require SO long time in
which.to reach an agreement, the result
of the body's deliberations met with
unanimous approval and served to
ameliorate whatever criticicism might
have been forthcoming on account of
the length of time required in which to
return the only verdict possible in the
face OF the evidence adduced and the
law concerning the crime.
Much credit for the conviction is due
to District Attorney Gondran and his
colleagues, Attorneys Pugh and Nc
Culloh. MIR. Gondran in his final ar
gument made a splendid effort, mar
shalling his facts with rare ability and
presenting the states side Of the case
with logic and conciseness. He was
ably assisted prior to and during the
progress of the trial by Messrs. Pugh
and McCulloh. AttorneyW alter Lem
ann, who defended Valentine under
the appointment of the court, did all
in his power to save the negro and
made q fight that reflects upon him the
utmost glory and credit. The evidence
was too direct, however, and the law
too clear and Ineligible for the jury
to have brought in any other verdict
than the one it did. Judge Leche con-
Quoted the trial with his usual abso-
Lutte fairness and impartiality and up
held the reputation he enjoys of being
one Of the most able and competent
judges that has ever served on the
bench Of the twenty seventh judicial
district.
To Sheriff St. Martin is perhaps due
the lions share of the credit for bring
Ing Valentine to justice. Within 1--WE
hours after the crime had been COM
mitted the sheriff had the negro safely
behind the bars, despite the fact that
the only evidence obtainable was OF
circumstantialn allure and the Witnesses
we're not at all positive in their identi-
fcation Of the criminal. Sheriff St.
Martin was untiring In his efforts to
collect sufficient evidence against Val
entine upon which to secure a convic-
ton and labored indefatigs5ly until
be had woven such a web around the
prisoner that the latter realized the
hopelessness Of his position and de-
eided to make full confession.
It is indeed gratifying to know that
The local application of the law is in
he hands of such able and jealous off,
GERS as those thatconstituteA Ascension g
present judicial corps, and it is with
pride and pleasure that we Congratulate
,he gentlemen upon the highly success
'ul termination Of their efforts In the |
Y alentine case and upon the fulfill
nent OF their assertion that if the
aegro were given trial conviction
would be obtained and full justice
neted out to the black desperate. The
people Of Donaldsonville and vicinity
deserve credit for their law abiding
Ind commendab conduct and are to
'e praised for curbing their first hasty