The Caucasian., 1911-05-28

| Sible for the Crime.
/ call attention to the following,
which is taken from the Palmer
1RustIer and shows the workings Of
Iwhiskey: .....
prisoner at the bar, have you
ianything to say why the sentence of
death shall not be passed upon
you?" ..
A solemn hush fell over the
crowded court room, and every per-
! son waited in almost breathless ex-
pectation for the answer to the
judges question. The judge waited
in dignified silence. Not a whisper
was heard, and the situation had
become painfully oppressive when
the prisoner was seen to move.
His head was raised, his hand
clenched and the blood rushed into
his pale, careWorn face. Suddenly
he rose to his feet and in low firm
but distinct voice said: Il have, your
honor. You have asked me- a ques-
ton and | now ask as the last favor
on earth that you will not interrupt
my answer until | am through. |
stand here before this bar, convict
ed of the wilful murder of my wife.
Truthful witnesses have testified to
the fact that | was a loafer, a drunk
ard and a wretch; that | returned
from one of my prolonged de-
bauches and fired the shot that
killed the wife | had sworn to love,
to cherish and 10 protect. While |
had no remembrance of committing
the fearful deed, | have no right to
complain or condemn the verdict of
| the twelve good men who have acted
as the jury in the case, for their
verdict is in accordance with the ev-
idence. But may it please the court,
| wish to show that | am not alone
responsible for the murder of my
WIFE
This startling statement created a
tremendous sensation. The judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around and faced the pris-
oner, the jury looked at each other
in amazement, while the spectators
could hardly suppress their intense
excitement. The prisoner paused a
few seconds and then continued in
the same firm distinct tone:
Il repeat, your honor, that | am
not the only one guilty of the mur-
der of my wife. The judge on his
bench. the jury in the box, the law
yers within this bar and most wit
nesses, including the pastor Of the
old church, are guilty before Al
mighty God. and will have to stand
with me before the judgment throne
where we shall all be righteously
Judged. IF it had not been for the
saloons of my town I never would
have became drunkard, my wife
would not have been murdered. II
would not be here now, ready to bel
hurled into eternity. Had it not been
for these human traps | would have
been a sober man, an industrious
workman, a tender father and low
ing husband, but today my home is
destroyed, my wife murdered, myI
little children-God bless and careI
for them-cast out on the mercy ofI
The world, while | am to be hanged
by the strong arm of the state. Cod
knows / tried to reform, but as long
as the open saloon was in my path
way my weak, diseased will poweR |
was no match against the fearful,
consuming. agonizing appetite for
liquor. For one year our town was |
without a saloon, for one year [ was
a sober man, for one year my wife |
and children were happy and ourl
little home was a paradise. | was
one of those who signed remon-
stranees against reepening the sa-
looms of our town. Half this jury, I
the prosecuting attorney in this case
and the. judge who sits on this bench |
all voted for the saloons. By their
votes and influence saloons were re-
opened, and they have made mel
what / am"
The impassioned words of the
speaker fell like Goals of fire uponI
The herats Of those present and
many of the spectators and some of
The lawyers were moved to tears.
The judge made a motion as if to
stop further speech. when the
speaker said: No, no, your honor
10 not close my lips. am nearly
through. ] began my downward ca
reer at saloon bar legalized and
protected by the voters of this town.
After the saloons you have allowed
1ave made me a drunkard and a
murderer / am taken before anotherl
,ar, the bar of justice, and now the
aw power will conduct me to the
]l2ee of execution and hasten me to &