Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-01
a u. S. SENATOR
DEFENDED HIN.


Continued From First Page.
vailed do not doubt It did. l my
self have been witness many times
TO apprehensions OF this character.
The people stop and look upon the
unfortunate from either curiosity or
idleness or interest in the matter,
and they have a right to stop. There
is no law and there car be none.
that would punish nsan who is
peaceful and orderly, and that is
just what these people were. II he
was haranguing this crowd; IL he
had been talking 70 them bolster
ously; IL he had been proclaiming
against the law; il he had been de-
nouncing the officer; If he had raised
his hand 10 stop him in the discharge
of his duty, ] would not have been
found here 10 say one word in his
behalf. but I ask no higher testimo-
NAL 10 this man-provoked beyond
measure. Inundated and disgraced
by the hand of the oricer upon his
shoulder and yet his respect for law
and order and the proprieties of the
occasion were so great. that he walk
ed without resistance. peacefully
and quietly. TO the patrol box and la
! ter to the Police Station.
UNFAIRLY AND UNJUSTLY AP-
PRETENDED.
Now. your Honor, can not be-
lieve that justice would be subserved
by writing across the life record OF
this man in this Court that he has
offended against the law. insist
with all the ardor of my nature and
with all the sense of Justice with
which / am endowed. that his man
has been unfairly and unjustIy ap-
pretended and that ne is facing your
Honor this morning without a scin-
tilla OF evidence that he in any way
attempted or actually did violate the
law. / know that this is a trying no
sition your Honor occupies and I
have nothing but respect for the Of
ficers OF the law. whether in uniform
or not in uniform, who are doing
a most unenviable duty, who are re-
CURED TO meet all classes OF people
under all circumstances. and who are
obliged TO use the highest discretion
and great courage. oftimes in the
face OF possible disaster. and nv
respect for the Police officer and all
officers OF the law is very great. and
sympathizc with your Honor in the
daily round OF multitudinous and
proYoking duties that must come be-
fore you. but IL this causes your
Honor any concern, then 7 mistake
my judgment. II the conduct OF this
man is no so exemplary that Il IS
his stall In this hour when. for the
first time in his life, he faces a
charge in Court, ! merely mistake
your Honor's disposition or the dis
position Of the District Attorney.
There are but two questions
arise Did the officer issue the pro-
clamation2 Did this man obeyg
There is evidence that he did: that
he started 20 walk away when the
command was given. and he was pre-
vented for some reason unknown TO
us and taken away In the excitement
or the moment. as is shown by the
testimony, so prepondering with
your Honor. OF these reputable men.
those that have been on the stand
today eolored though they be, men
OF reputation who have made their
was IA life against great odds. am
rather proud Of the character OF cit
liens such as we have seen here this
morning.
4 am not going % say anything
else, and ] do not wish your Honor
20 do anything for courtesy. I came
as the prisoners friend In this city.
because / felt sure that he had not
offended against the law. A man Of
good character. a man OF intelli-
gence, a man OF resources, of self
reliance, / bespeak for him in this
situation, 10 the considerable and
careful sense Of justice and proprie-
ty with which your Honor is so lib
orally endowed"