The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-07-10
MAYOR scHNl11z,s SENTENCE.
Interrupts Judge Several Times While
Being Sentenced-CounseI Also
Protested, But Was Told That He
Would be jailed.

Would be jailed.
San Francisco, Cal, July S.-Mayor
Eugene E. Schnitz. Who was convict
ed Of extortion, was today sentenced
! to FIVE years in the penitentiary.
The sentence followed the recent
conviction of Schmitz for extorting
s1,175 from French restaurant keep
ers Of San Francisco.
As the last words fell from the
judges lips the great crowd that had
stood throughout the dramatic scenes
sent UP a thunderous cheer.
Good for you shouted man in
the back of the room. His. ejacula-
ton was echoed and ,reechoed by one
after another Of the spectators.
Judge Duncan in pronouncing SEN
tence Of Schnitz said:
"It can be said that the verdict Of
the jury in this case had d deeper
significance than ordinarily attaches
to the finding of guilt. 1t is a mes
sage to all the people in the city of
San Francisco that law and order are
supreme; that no man, however ex-
alted his situation or how strong and
powerful the political, social or fnan-
cial influences which surround him, is
above the law. Eugene E. Schmitz,
you have heretofore occupied the
highest Office which the city Of San
Francisco can confer on one Of its cit
izens. You were elevated to that po-
sition because Of the confidence and
trust reposed III you by the masses of
the
"I am here" interrupted Schnitz,
in voice. though quiet and controll-
ed, that carried to the far corners of
the room, "to receive sentence at
your hands and not to be Inundated
by a lecture which the newspapers
can repeat in print
Judge Dunno paid no aatention TO
the interruption.
'.You were elevated to that posi-
ton, I say because Of the confidence
and trust reposed in you
Attorney Metson interrupted: 1--WE
are here to take. sentence, not to be
lectured. We
"Mr. Metson,'' said Judge Dunno
warmly, ''if you interrupt these pro-
ceed;ngs again I will send you to jail.
You. would be in. far better business
if you were here begging for day in
court TO answer the charge that you
wilfully and improperly attempted to
tamper with juror in this case"
Turning to Mayor Schmitz, Judge
Dunno resumed:
you were elec,ed to that position
because OF the confidence and great
trust reposed in you by the mass of
the people. You have by your wilfui,
criminal act, so a jury of your fellow
citizens has declared, broken that
confidence and betrayed that trust"
Here schmitz again protested
against the lecture"
Judge Dunno took no notice.
Therefore the judge continued,
st may be said that the penalty
which the law permits in this case is
insufficient to meet the demands Of
justice. It may be suggested, how
ever, that by your conviction you will
lose the respect and esteem Of all
good citizens and men; that you will
suffer the humiliation of knowing that
Your career of hypocrisy and dis
aonor-'
i stand here as an American to
demand my rights" interposed
Schn2irz I'm not asking any leni-
ency at the hands Of this court. l am
prepared to receive sentence. I ask
that your honor do your duty and
pronounce it Immediately and that
be not subjected to humiliation and
degrading remarks which the papers
are copying and will print. say. if
your honor has any self respect, you
Will proceed with the sentence.
1T is not usual for courts to be
brought into contact with such brazen
acts of etfrontery as yours in the
present instance. It is the duty OF
the court in such cases to view the
conduct OF convicted felon with
patience and toleration, not to say
pity By your conviction you, Will
lose the respect and esteem Of good
men and citizens You will suffer the
humiliation Of knowing, I say. that
your career Of hypocrisy and dishon>
or has been exposed, and that you
stand. before those who believed in
and honored you. morally naked,
named and disgraced,' said Judge
Dunno.
"I deny that" cried schmitz. THE
people of San Francisco know how 1
was railroaded through
Judge Dunno resumed:
Morally naked, shamed and dis
graced. It is in the knowledge o.
these things rather than in any mere
term Of imprisonment in state pen
itentiary that the full measure of your
punishment may be found.
1T is the judgment Of this court
that You be confined in the State pen