The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1910-11-04

| IRRESPONSIBLE
4, Curse Of the Liquor Traffic
ooIy Possible b. Your Vote
|R|SONER'S
|n,,n That Judge and Jury by Their
". Made Him The Murderer of his
wae-Appeals to Thinking Men.

pcsouer at the Bar:-Have you any
ss 10 say why the sentence of death
ssb not be placed upon you? A
INN hush fell over the crowded cour,
M and everv person waited in al
- brpathless expectation for the
sser to the Judges question. The
I,ye waited in dignitied silence. Not
sStoer was heard anywhere, and the
nation had become very painfully
,rssiye when the prisoner was seer
move His head was raised. his
IN were clasped and his pale, care
II face was seen to blush.
sddebIy he arose to his feet, and in
In firm, but distinct voice said:-"l
n, YOUR honor. You have asked me
IwstiOn and | now ask as the last
,,a on earth that you will not inter.
n nv answer till am through.
rp3 here before this bar convicted OF
h vlful murder of my wife. Truth
\ witnesses have testified that | was
infer drunkard and a wretch; thai
nVrned from one of my long pro
|wd debauches and fired the fata
bsthat killed the wife had sworn
Me, cherish and protect.
While | have no remembrance OF
.antting the fearful deed, | have nc
1tl to complain, or condemn the
mdist Of the twelve good men that
Ne acted as jurymen in this case, fol
HI verdict is in accordance with the
sDeuce but may it please the court,
rant to show that | am not alone re-
inside for the murder of my wife.
Tie startling statement created
snendous sensation. The judge
ahA over the desk, the lawyers
hxled around and faced the prisoner
jurors looked at each other IL
nisment, while the spectators coult
rdy suppress their tense excitement
ne prisoner paused a few moments
y then continued in the same firm
idset voice: IL repeat, your honor,
n am not the only one responsible
the murder of my Wife" The
K On the bench, the jury in the DO,
lawyers within the bar, and the
snsses, including the pastor OF the
gdurch are also guilty before Goo
mighty, and will have to stand will
before bis judgment throne, where
k'Aal all be righteously judged. II
lid not been for the saloons OF m,
wnl would never have been a drunk
Ny wife would not have beer
ndefed. | would not be here now
NJ to be hurled into eternity. HaC
~ been for those human traps
~ have been a sober man and al
hsrous workman; tender father
loving husband, but today my home
e'foyed, my wife murdered, my
y children, God bleSS them. cast ou
k mercy Of the VOID
I,n to be hung by roa strong arm
M state. God knows | tried to re
but as long "a me open saloor
Nmy pathway, n weak, diseased
power was no ma t.u for the fear
ynlzing appetite or liquor. Fo
lar our town w, without a sa
;ior one year | W sober man
Toe wear wife an .hil }ren Wer,
n and our little h, . was a para
WAS one of jyse who signet
nstrances agains he reopehinl
y saloons of our Wn. One hal
ne jury, the proSacgting attOrne!
~ case and the judge who sits Of
eeneh all voted 10y the saloons
nar votes and ,.uence saloon
isopened and tn, have made m
I'll am"
= Impassioned v rjs of the pris
Tell like Goals IT, fire upon tn
= Of those pr LOT and man
e spectat0rs and S.me of the law
;sese moved to tees. The judg
motion as il 10 stop furthe
= when the spear hastily said
VINO! Your honor, 10 not close m
an nearly through. l bega
gNnward career Of a saloon bar
'ed and protected by the voter
Town. After the saloons hav
nea drunkard and a murderer
aen before another bar, the ba
ssuee, and the power of the lay
91e me to the place Of executio
ten my soul into eternity.
appear before another bar, tn
"a Bar of God, and there you
We legalized the traffic, will bav
q before that bar. Think yor
~ Treat Judge will hold me, tn
helpless victim Of your traffic
HSponsible for the murder of m
Nsy, | In my drunken. frenziet
aaole condition have murdere
10y you have deliberately vote
moons which have murdere
M. md they are in full operi
m with your consent.
@ you know in your hearts TIM
-O'U Of mine are not the ravine
eend mind, but God Almighty
You have legalized th
uN made me drunkard an
erer Of my wife. Yot
= done; ! am now ready