The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-11-27

SiOSh ycSIeTUdy morning, Tor argu-
ments to the jury,
Both Commonwealth Attorney Vic
tor Bradley, and Attorney Robt. B.
FRANKLIN, for the defense, were first
shocked, and then amused, at a story
published in a Lexington afternoon
paper to the effect that a proposition
had been made to Mr.. Alexander to
accept term of five years in the pen
ltentiary, and have the other thirty
one indictments quashed, and that Mr.
Alexander refused While neither
Mr.. Bradley or Mr.. Franklin would
deny the truth of the story, they
were nevertheless astounded at it's
publication.
This morning the doors of the court
room were beseiged with crowd,
clamOring to obtain seats to listen to
the closing arguments in the Alexan-
der case. Within i've minutes after
the doors were opened, every seat and
every available inch of standing room
was filed with crowd eager to see
and hear every development of the
closing day Of the case. The morn
ing session was prolonged to almost
one o'clock. After the calling of the
jury, and the warning of the court
TO the audience to refrain from any
demonstration whatsoever, the court
proceeded to instruct the jury. His
instructions were brief and in effect as
follows:
eff the jury believe beyond rea-
sonable doubt, that the defendant,
George Alexander, did, while Presi-
dent Of the George Alexander & Com
pany, State Rank, receive deposit
from j. W., DOty, knowing or believ-
ing at the time he received such de-
post that the said bank was insoly-
ent, they should fins him guilty and
fix his punishment at an indefinite
term in the penitentiary, the minimum
being one year and the maximum be-
ing ten years."
At the conclusion of his instruc-
tons the Judge specially warned the
audience against any demonstrations
of approval, disapproval or merri
ment during the progress of the argu-
ments of counsel. county Attorney
George Batterton opened for the pros
ecution. He spoke for about an hour.
Former Commonwealth Attorney,
for the defense.
HeieelIJgly spoke of Alexander's
appeal to the Banking Commissioner
for three days of time to save himself,
the hank and the community, and he
severely excoriated the Banking De
partment for "the most wonderful
piece of, cruelty l have ever known to
be imposed upon any community"
He insinuated that politics was behind
the prosecution by the Banking De-
partment and that 10 boost their am
billions they must catch whale"
He told of the Deputy Commissioners
reserving $20,00000 to pay indebted
ness of winding up Gle affairs Of the
bank when it should be distributed
among the depositors. Mr.. Alexander
had reason to believe the bank was
solvent His Cashier, Mr.. Davis, be
lieved it. His bookkeeper, Mr.. Mitch
ell, believed it. When the crash did
come, it was like tho explosion of the
Maine. A shock to him as well as
others. How prone some natures are
to kick a crippled dog. How to-day as
in the days OF our Saviour in the cry
Cruelty Him." He referred to memo
ries of the white haired, dignified ia
Their OF. the defendant, who was Presi-
dent of the old Northern Bank. Alex
ander had helped many a young man.
Are you going to send him to the pen
itentiary for that? Mr.. Franklin clos
ed with a peroration Of eloquence III
which he asked the jury to ignore
everything in the evidence except that
which directly pertained to the case
on trial, and that ali mis- client asked
or wanted was justice.
At the afternoon session, Common
wealths Attorney Bradley presented
the argument for the State in speech
of two hours duration. 1t was one OF
the bitterest denunciatiOns ever list
ened to in a Bourbon Court. He had
listened to Mr. Franklin's speech and
thought what a pity 1t should have
been uttered in such an unworthy
cause. "Since | have been connected
with this case" he said, 81 have been
permeated with it. / have eaten it,
have slept it and l have dreamed it.
Last night | dreamed, / was the de-
PENDANT, Alexander. | saw spirit In
the room. 1t said Il am the spirit of
home you have wrecked. Another
spirit came, the spirit Of widow you
have robbed. And still another and
another, until q spirit larger and more
powerful than all appeared. 1t was
the spirit of the old blind woman you
have robbed l awoke with shrek
and lay there thinking, as that mans
feelings the work of guilty con-
science?" No, no one who has COM
mitted the crime he. has, can have
conscience The only punishment he
will feel is what twelve honest men
will give him. Why did Smith re-
fuse to allow Alexander three days
more time? Because in that three
days more widows and orphans would
have been robbed, and crying to-day
for vengeance. | would to God my
self, that the venerable fathers repu-
tation had been saved the disgrace
and humiliation of having his son
steal a few remaining dollars OF de-
post in his old bank. No matter what
crime l might commit, l would never
evoke the gray hair of my aged Ia
Their to save me from the penitentlary.
They say he helped Tom Moore; the
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