Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-04-24

case short of capital cases, and |
know that it was a matter of some
surprise that he was hera, but il was
no surprise to me. | think ii was
his drty, and / think it is fortunate
that he came here. because. Your
|. 1nnr. in this gooG old state we do
not believe in these things. The honor
of one party is just as keen as the
honor OF the other. and if there is
anything that is dear to a Maine man,
be he Kcpublican or be he Democrat.
it is the sanctity of the ballot, ami
we yield to political results as they
vary, always with generosity to our
opponents, and | believe that the re-
suits of this dignified trial. that has
been carried on in this dignified man
ncr, will he of the highest good, not
only i'll this small community Of ours,
but in tho state Of Maine. that every
Democrat ana every Republican loves,
and whose honor il as dear TO him
as is his own.
Nov | respectively request that
Your honor would direct Il verdict cf
not guilty"
Mr.. Williamson: Your homer, the
attorney general has expressed the ex-
act attitude of the State in this mat
ter. and so far as that attitude is con-
cernci | shall echo all tllat he has stat
Cd. wish 10 say just a word. if per-
mittcd, from personal standpoint. II
VS. my duty as Il member of the board
of aldermen of Augusta to make come
examination into this matter upon the
recount, before | became county attor-
neN In that Investigation MIR. Bangs
appeared before our committee twice.
/ think every one of the committee
was struck by his fairness and frank
me. until | heard that the grand jury
had indicted him. that his name Was
even connected with this offence; that
anyone had a suspicion he might b.
guilty of it. on the other hand the cir
CumStances of the case seemed to me.
and | think did to every member of
tAe committee. although it was not
our duty to determine who did this
thine@I think the finger of suspicion
pointed directly To the man who has
now acknowledged his guilt
1T is Il matter of supreme satisfac-
tion u me, and | never felt greater
pleasure in my life, than | do To feel
tlat George Bangs has been fully ac-
quilted of this crime with which he
was charged. and that he goes out Of
court without even n stain upon his
name.
Il hold in my pocket the full confess
sion of another party that lie has com
mitted this crime That party has been
argaigncd before the municipal court
and is now under bonds awaiting the
action of the grand jury at the next
Septembcr term
Judge Oliver q. Hall: Gentlemen of
Of the jury. This is a ease which might
easily have become involved in a po-
litieal controversy, and if it had been
handled by counsel upon either side
of less ability and less disposition to
be fair. il possibly might have result
cd in Il political controversy witiel!
would have been a disgrace rather
than the great honor with which
it has resulted. For it is an honorable
Ting that counsel Of the eminent abil-
ity who have appeared before You
SHOULD nave So conducted 4 case Of
sIeh acute political interest. wholly
for the benefit of the public irrespec-
tive of party.
enee of this great mul. ltude of lead
ing citizens of this city that whoever
LAYS a acSecrating hand upon the bal
lUl should be punished, and is likely 20
he punished. 1t is unfortunate for the
respondent. Mr.. Bangs, that his name
has i cen connected here, but he may
congratulate himself, as has been said
by the attorney general. that lie has
been the Instrument through whose
misfortune this onormity against the
ballot has been developed and placed
where it belongs.
Now gentlemen. | direct you,
through Ycur foreman, to find verdict
OF not guilty against Mr.. Bangs, who
has been fully and clearly eXonerated
from the least blame connected with
this enormous offence.
Clerk of Courts Charles Jones never
rose to his feet with greater alacrity
than he did when he put the question:
What say YOU. Mr.. Foreman, is
George II. Bangs guilty or not guilty.
by order "f the court We return a
verdict of not guilty" replied Theron
f.. Doe of South China. foreman of the
Jury. that has listened to the evidence
in the case. Immediately attorneys and
court officers inside the rail made their
Way to Mr.. Bangs, who had taken his
stand in the prisoners dock. and con-
graduated him.