The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1913-07-31

Bribery mt the polls and Justification
Of election returns. familiar weapons
of machine politics. so long used that
they had ceased to arouse horror and
revolt in the careless. callouSrd hearts
OF the people. We're Johns text They
explained the continuance of the ma
chine in power. They shed bright
light. too. Oh the so called genius Of
certain political leaders mt which mon
Inarveled as at some miraculous mani
festation of godlike mindit WAS not
genius. merely crude. primitive diShon
esty requiring the direction Of no com
mandily intellect. needing nothing but
the will to debauch others honor. 1t
is the case of government by individn
al craft and greed against government
by the law that is the expression Of
the mora! sense Of the people" he said.
and sat down The audience stirred
uneasily Murchell smiled grmly.
The voice Of the judge was cold and
even. devoid of emotion. rs he began
to instruct the jury. Critical listeners
observed that his charge favored the
| defendant rather more strongly than
the evidence seemed to require. They
attributed it to his anxiety not to be
biased by the fact that the district at
turney was his son Judge Dunmende
was said 10 possess IN admirably Judi
cill temperament. The jury. impOr
tantly led by the fat bailiff. filed out of
the courtroom. There We're no other
cases on the days list. and the judge
stalked down from the bench to await
the verdict in his chambers. John
went to his office Senator MurchelI
and Whittredge conducted the drOOp
ing Sheehan to the witness room away
from the curious eyes of the crowd
Most of the spectators waited to see
the end Of the drama
A half hour later the buzz OF conver
sation suddenly ceased The judge was
returning to the bench. Sheehaa, with
Whittredge and Murchell. took his
seat by the table They were fol
lowed by John. Then the jury flee!
back into the box.
Gentlemen of the jury. hearken G.
your verdict us the court hath recorded
it. You find the defendant guilty as
indicted. And so say you allT' said
the clerk.
The jurors nodded Sheehan fell
back in his chair with an audible
groan. Two big tears coursed ludi
crously down his fat cheeks. But no
body laughed. He plucked anxiously
at Murchel1s sleeve.
Have l got to go to jail?" he whlm
pered.
Murchell drew away from the touch
mot unless our friend Whittredge ha:
forgotten how to delay justice"
The jury was discharged. Whit
tredge informed the court that the de
fcnse would move for a new trial, bal
!, was renewed. and the court was ad
journed. The audience slowly made
its way out into the square. where lit
lie knots of noisy. excited men gath
pred.
John saw Sheehan standing forlornl.
by the table The big, ponderous figur
with the misery shining out Of its eye
seemed very pathetic. And. after all
Sheehan was the worst victim of tn
system. Impulsively John went owe
to him Sheehan suddenly seized OIL
of Johns hands in both his owr
Johnny. can't you get me out of this
let me off? III get out of here-neve
go into politics again, so help me"
Johns heart gave him a wrench a
sr 7
Shcel,an," he replied honestly. "Bu
you're out of my hands now"
He turned away sadly, no sense Q
triumph in his victory.
When he appeared at the door Of til
courthouse some one raised cheer.
!. passed along from group to group. III
; til all in the square had joined in
: short. sharp salute. 1t was not an by:
= terical demonstration. but unusual fc
calm self contained New Chelsea.
lasted only a few seconds.
: young man." said Senator Murchel
'enjoy this moment. 1t won't las
long. You are at your apex-you Al
hero among your neighbors. r,
! they are cheering you, not what 70
- said"
Not me. but what said. They Sc
- a principle"
- you're not the first man who hi
:. held that delusion-to his sorrow"
fRn