The Ordway new era., 1910-03-18
Who Are The Guilty Ones?
PUBLISHED az REoUEsD

"Prisoner at the bar" said the Judge,
have you anything to say why sen.
tence OF death should not be passed
upon you?"
A solemn hush fell over the crowded
courtroom, and every person waited
in almost breathless expectation for
the answer to that question.
The judge waited in dignitied
silence. Not Il whisper was heard
painfully oppressive.
Then the prisoner was seen to move.
His head was raised, his hands clinch.
ed. while the blood rushed to his pale,
carey worn face. Suddenly he arose tn
his feet. and in low but firm voice
said:
~ have. your honor. You have ask.
ed me a question, and now ask. as a
last favor on earth, that you will not
interrupt my answer until l am
through.
II stand before this bar, convicted
OF the wIllful murder OF my wife.
Truthful witnesses have testified To
the fact that l was loafer, a drunk.
ard and a wretch; that l returned
from one Of my prolonged debauches
and fired the fatal shot which killed
the wife l had sworn to love, cherish,
and protect.
I INnN Frf. hi p n n
committing the fatal deed, have 40
right to complain nor to condemn the
verdict Of the twelve good men who
have acted as Jury In this case. for
their verdict Is in accordance with
the evidence which have heard.
"But. may 1t please the court, l
wish to show that am not alone re.
spOnsible for the murder Of my wife,"
This startling statement created a
tremendous sensation. The judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around aud faced the prison.
er, while the jurors looked NJ each
other In amazement. .....
~'rheprisoner pdused- 1nftneht, and
UHeu COuGluueu III Iuc sd"c oisGiuSe
voice:
"Yes, I repeat II. l am not the
only one guilty OF the murder OF my
wife. The judge on this bench, the
jury In the box, the lawyers within
this bar. and must OF the witnesses.
including the pastor Of the old church.
are ais" guilty, before Almighty God.
and will have to stand with me before
his Judgment throne, where we shall
all he riglteously Judged for all our
thnushts. words and deeds.
III there had not been saloons In
my town l should not have become Il
drunkard. my wife would not have
been murdered, aud l should not be
here now, ready to be hurled into
eternity. Had IL not been for these
human traps l should have been Il
sober man. an industrious workman.
Il tender father and IA loying husband.
But today my home is destroyed. my
little children cast out on to the
world, while l am to be hanged by
the strong arm Of the state.
God knows have tried to reform.
and prayed for strength to withstand
the licensed temptations: but so long
rs the open saloon was in my pathway
my weak and diseased will power was
no match against the fearful, agoniz-
ing. consuming appetite for drink.
"t'p. one year our town was with.
nuL , saloon. was one OF those who
signed I'll" r,'m"nstrancc against the
re.opcning nr saloons IL our town.
One-half OF this jury, the prosecuting
attorney on this case. and the judge
who sits on this bench, all voted for
the saloons. by their votes and in
tlucncc, saloons were re opened, and
they have helped to make me what |
am"
The impa>sioncd words OF the pris-
Oner fell like Goals of fire upon til"
hearts Of those present. The judge
made a motion as II to stop further
speech, but the prisoner hastily said,
Your honor, | am nearly through.
Do not close my lips" Then he re
sumcd:
IL began my downward career at IA
saloon bar, licensed and protected by
the voters of this town. Had IL not
been for the license voters. the >aln'n>
which have wrecked my life and de-
stroyed my home would not have rX.
isted. After the sac rs you have
established have mad" iIir drunkard
and murderer | am taken before
another bar. the bar nr Justice. and
now the law power viii conduct me
my soul into eternity shall appear
no nfnrn n n tt hnr hu r no n a., ind ~ IN ~