The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-01-19
SESSION or THE UNITED STATES
COURT

COOhI
The first session of the United
States court for the southern district
of Florida in the new government
building was held Monday.
Just before taking his seat and
while yet standing Judge James w.
Locke made a very impressive and
appropriate speech. He compliment
ed Ocala in the possession of so fine
a building. He dwelt upon its furn-
ishings and fixtures; the beauty of it's
workmanship and the completion of
should be dedicated to truth, justice,
honor and mercy. He said that the
administration of the laws should be
feared but should be assisted in every
way and thehands of those to whom
this delicate task was committed
should be upheld
After Judge Locke's very excellent
address was finished the court was de-
clared ready for the transaction of
business.
There was but one criminal case on
the docket, viz: that of the United
States against Benjamin Roland
Bitch for emblezzlement. The young
man was duly arraigned, Assistant
District Attorney r. P. Marks reading
the Indictment against him After
its conclusion Mr.. Herbert L. Ander-
son entered for him a plea of guilty
and made a very affecting and touch
ing appeal for clemency He told of
his youth, of his fine family connec-
ton, of the uprightness of his life
until the commission of this offensel
and his determined and heroic effort
since it's commission to redeem him
self and win back the respect and es7
TEEN of his fellows.
Judge Locke gave a listening ear to
the appeal. He said that he recogniz-
ed the fact that the deed had been
committed two years or more in
which time the young man had suffer !
ed severe punishment with his own
conscience and the fact that his con-
duct since then had been exemplary
that he was starting out upon the |
lines of reformation and that a pun
ishment might not be the best thing |
to do as he believed that justice
should be tempered with mercy but
he recognized the fact that the post |
office department against which this
offense was committed was the most |
important branch of the United States
because it affected |
the great body of the people more
nearly than all Of the other branches
combined and its integrity should be
upheld because the people had to re-
pose confidence in it and there were
so many young men in it's employ
ment who were subject to the same
as this young defendant
for clemency.
Judge Locke seemed much affected
both by the appearance of the young
man, the reputation for honor and in
tegrity built up by his kinsman and
the touching appeal made by his at
torney in his behalf and announced
that the judgment of the court was
that he should be discharged upon
the payment of fine of five hundred
dollars.
The names of the witnesses and
Jurors were then called and were told
to sign the pay roll and receive their
pay.
The court then adjourned quite a
number went forward and spoke to
Judge Locke and other officers of the
court
Besides those already named were
Marshal John F. Horn, Clerk E. o.
Locke and Secretary H. H. Eyles.
Judge Locke is enjoying very excel
ent health and says that he is enjoy
ing his visit to our progressive little
city. Besides dedicating the new
government building here he dedicat-
ed the ones in Key West, Jackson
Vile and Gainesville.