Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-14
SHIFT BLAME UPON
PENNYPACKER
Mathues and Shumaker Took His
Advice in Capitol Deals.
BOTH RELIED ON HUSTON

Harrisburg. Pa, March II. - Two
speeches in behalf OF defendants in
the capitol conspiracy trial were made
Monday. Percy Allen Rose. OF Johns
town. making the plea for, ex-Superin-
tendent Shumsker, and William l.
Shaffer, of Chester, for ex-State Treas
urer Mathues. Both attorneys declared
the officials followed the judgment of
Ex-Governor Pennypacker and that
both relied on Architect Huston.
Architect Lewis being denounced in
unmeasured terms for his testimony in
behalf Of the commonwealth.
Mr.. Shaffer closed his speech by
plea IN which he said that Mr.. Math-
ues had not been connected with the
trial, and by an effort to forestall the
effect of the appearance OF Attorney
General Todd as the closing speaker
In the case. said:
"As 20 the attorney general: he pro-
poses 10 come before you. II is his
right. but it is not right for him TO
throw the robes of his great Office
Into the scales OF justice on behalf OF
the commonwealth. cannot appeal to
you against him. I appeal 70 him.
ask him to recollect that the blacklist
pages OF English Jurisprudence have
been darkened by the appearance OF
the attorney general at the bar. He
comes not as an advocate. but as
Judge. He has no right TO throw into
the jury box the great ONCE. than has
the district attorney whose place he
temporarily fills in this court Speak.
ing in words which made for liberty
the world over. a great judge OF this
country. one OF the greatest in the
English-speaking world. one who sat
IN this court, John Bannister Gibson.
said. The prosecuting attorney at the
railing OF the jury box stands not as
the avenger OF blood. but as perse-
cutor. but he stands for the rights OF
the accused as much as for the rights
or the commonwealth. III Mr.. Todd
shall conduct himself that way I will
have nothing TO complain or"
Two strong arguments 90 the jury
IN behalf OF John II. Sanderson were
delivered.
The speakers were p. f. Rother
mel. Jr.. and ex-Attorney General w
u. Hensel Mr. Rothermel argued
In favor of the validity Of the con
tract and declared that Sanderson did
not charge all he could have done. al
though he averaged" the bills under
the contract lie bitterly arraigned
Architects Huston and Lewis as COW
ards" and "weaklings" for lending aid
to the state.
Mr.. Hensel contended that there was
an absence OF proof OF conspiracy or
that Sanderson had committed any
wrong. and asserted that the former
officials took the judgment of Governor
Pennypacker He emphasized the de-
lenses claim that the commemorative
evidence is allegation"
Mr.. Rothermel urged the Jurors TO
give a verdict according TO conscience,
saying:
Justice and truth will be more last
ing than brass or bronze. and stin
more lasting will be the cherished ira
dition that in this year. In this county,
aye. in this court, which is known
among lawyers a. the commemorative
own court. there were found twelve
men who had the intelligence. the can
dor. the courage 20 say that no man
shall be convicted on inference and
suspicion. am confident that you
will answer the commonwealth de-
mand without allowing evidence to
prejudice you or argument to mislead
you by rendering a verdict Of not
guilty"