Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-28
[EN|ENT
|NJUDGMEni' u; III.
LUCY HON AS
Judge Snith McP Pherson
Shows. Touch Of Human
Nature in Passing Sen
tence on Convicted Girl.

Seldom does the court in the exer-
else Of its functions inject such
touch of human nature as did Judge
Smith Mcpherson this afternoon when
he permitted Lucy Thomas to 60 home
with her old mother and allowed her
fine to be made payable on execution.
minimum imposed by law, but permit
ted It's payment to be made at the con-
venience of the convicted and with
out commitment as is usual In such
cases.
The jury In the case, which during
its hearing created much interest, re-
turned to the courtroom at 2 o'clock
and reported the verdict as guilty of
embezzlement In the sum Of $48. The
court took occasion to say good word
for Inspector John w. sWelburn and
complimented the officer for his work
in the case as one of the best and
most efficient officers in the jurisdic-
tion Of the court. 1t was In addressing
himself to the convicted girl that the
court showed touch Of human nature
that found ready welcome with those
|present In the courtroom. He stated
THAT the penalty imposed by the laws
was a fine OF sum equivalent to the
amount taken and from that to term
)of not exceeding ten years in prison.
The former was made the udgment of
the court and he took occasion to
dwell upon the temptations that girls
land young men are subjected to be-
cause mankind is unmindful OF Its re-
responsibilities. He said in part:
H Z . u N
Considers tho Girl.
"In the eyes OF the law. man and
woman must stand on the same ground
as to their responsibility, but most OF
US will concede greater consideration
for woman and 1t is but natural. u
does seem to me, however, that man IS
inclined to disregard his responsibility
jand this case is an fnstafce5o OF IT. Here
| is a little girl in poverty and she has
been operating the post office az az
Hooking for the pitiful salary OF $3.50
per week, not enough to keep her.
Now I do not want to say anything
derogatory OF that postmaster. but l
do not think that he should ever have
been appointed. He is able to earn
enough each day to pay this girl for
running the post office and he is one
Of those who secure an appointment
and farm 1t out
81 have had many young men, bank
clerks and the like, brought before me
who are victims Of the failure of man
to fulfill his whole responsibility.
These young men handle tens Of thou
sans Of dollars each day and are paid
barely enough to live on, notwith-
standing that they have this tempta- :
ton constantly before them. Such was
the case with this little girl It is a
wonder to me that more OF our girls
do not go astray one way or another
because Of the temptations to which
they are subjected and the small pit
tance paid them for their work.
Miss Thomas. my judgment is that
you take your mother home or let her
take, you home. You have your living
to make and will not make 1t any
harder for you than 1t is II ! can be Of
any service to you do not hesitate to
ask me. Your fine will be the sum you
are charged with embezzling and it's
collection will be upon execution. Go
home now and try to avoid tempta-
ton"