The San Francisco call., 1905-02-10
LAW And ORDER
SCORE A VICTORY
Accused Men Denied Privilege
of Making Statements to
Defeat Justice.
Continued From Page /. Column Z

the progress Of the debate. Senator
Sewage OF Humboldt came tOathe de-
tense OF the boodlers in a manner that
astOunded his associates, without
doubt even the accused. Tor in him they
found a champion that went further
in his criminauOns and recriminauons
than the judgment Of most lawyers
would have led them had they been
making final argument before the par
of a criminal court. SelVage demanded
that the accused be heard: he defied
the press and defed public opinion, eX-
pressed the we'll grounded opinion that
he would be condemned for the stand
he had taken, characterized the acts of
the District Attorney OF Sacramento as
despicable, damned the corporation he
said had dragged innocent men out
and debaUched them, and, IN c0nclu-
sion, said: Joseph Jordan, hated and
despised as the dogs on the street, the
despicable Joseph Jordan, the briber,
the criminal" occupied no lower foot
ing than does Clarence Grange, mana
ger OF the Phoenix Insurance Com
pany. who laid the trap that brought
SelEage's colleagues to the door OF the
penitentiary-
Senator Ward. however, did not let
Selvage's roar of protest pass unchal-
lenged. In a quiet voice he pointed
out 10 the Senator from the north that
The District Attorneys motives and
acts are based on the highest ethical
and legal principles and that to con-
denim him was but to bring condemna-
tiOn upon the man that saw fit to
question his conduct. The intrOduc
tiOn Of SelVage's speech was on the line
Of a Fourth Of July thesis on the birth
Of Liberty, but ii dropped down to the
level Of an unbiased defense of a quar-
tet OF rascals. and lower still when
with swinging arms he proclaimed that
the authorities Of the law were but
seeking victims that they might rend
them asunder and take their blood at
any cost. justly or unjustly. But the
humor Of the situation saved Selvage
from further attention at the hands Of
his colleagues; they saw that he but
wished that so great an occasion be not
allowed 10 pass by without his being OF
record as one Of the strenuous partici-
pants in the great debate.
E8fMONS MAKES PLEA.
The plea Of Senator Emmons on the
floor for leniency at the hands Of his
colleagues was the dramatic feature Of
the day. Emmons had been sitting at
his desk with dOwncast eyes listening
TO the argument, and, finally, seeing
that the tide of opinion was against
him. rose and was recognized by the
chair. After Ineditating a moment he
said:
Mr.. President and Fellow Senators: II was
not my intention TO come before you and plead
for consideration your hands but the time
has come when must ask that you do justice
20 your fellow men. ! have been msrtyred D.
other and. while ] hardly hope that you
win now take my word. IL should not be so.
and II il does appeal TO you ii Will aid in
establishing nay innocence.
The principle Of self defense is as old the
Trimeval hills; every lawyer knows the prin-
ciple that gives man the right TO take the
stand his behalf. I stand here
my own behalf denying that I guilty OF
the charge against me. and appeal to you that
y0u give me the right to make my defense.
have made my denial but II seems that it
IS not sufhcient TO- my fellow men with
whom ] worked two years ago and who know
well.
The press has condemned me. but you DO
rot know that Joseph s. Jordan and the others
that appeared against me have told the truth.
You cannot know II until you have given
the fun right Of defense and have failed
q Vincicate ourselves. What condition is this
between heaven and hell that faces me that
10 be denied the right TO a hearing2 The
right Of self-defense is as old as man and II
VII be inconsistent OF you after giving the
prosecution the full right TO deny me that
privilege
Your committee appointed TO investigate the
charges against me and three Of my col
leagues must report back TO you as to its find
ings and make recommendation thereon. Shall
q at committee report back that we have been
found guilty and condemned without right TO
g hearing2 I agree with some that have pre-
ceded here to-day that II / am permitted
10 go before the committee voluntarily and
make my statement under oath that I will not
be immune from prosecution. You have al
lowed Jordan 70 go the stand and even
though every word he testified to should
prove 20 be a barefaced lie. perjury its
face. he Is now immune from prosecution IL
the rule you adhere TO proves 10 be correct
But you refuse 10 allow US TO come under the
same category.
In Gods name. is Il your desire TO condemn
me without a hearing7 Let them indct me IL
they wish. All I want is q fair hearing
pledge you having nothing to fear, that II you
gram what 7 ask I viii then submit TO any
court where the truth be ascertained
VIII go before any court and stipulate that /