The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-30

BECKER assumed the character Of a
political campaign. Certain clearly
defined and easily recognizable iniu-
ences labored in his behalf. seeking to
accomplish by pleas for mercy or open
abuse what could not be done by legal
means. There has been every super
fetal evidence Of an organized and
skilfully managed letter writing cam
paign to influence the Governor, the
courts and the press; and a curious
incident of this has been the vitupera-
ton exhibited In denouncing as blood
thirsty all who, with neither malice
o personal interest to serve. urged
that the law should take It's course
Men completely ignorant of the facts
who for n reason or another de-
sired the convict 10 escape the utter
most penalty have violently assalled
others who without personal feeling
toward BECKER reposed their conf
dence in the courts and held that II
justice was to he preserved its sol.
emn mandates must be obeyed.
Much has been made Of the Vile
character of the witnesses against
BECKER. They were liars, gamblers,
assasslns; they were outlaws. you
would not hang a dog on the test.
mony Of these; therefore BECKER
should go free, or. at most, be impris-
oned." Where except from the cess
pool Of the city's life would evidence
come in such a case; does the Arch
bishop in his palace know the doings
of the roysterers in the barroom?
knowledge OF the intrigues. the quar-.
rels, the chickering's, the ambitions, the
plans of those with whom BECKER
and RosENTHAL dealt establishes bad
repute, save only as 1t is possessed
by those who deal with moral conta-
gion as physicians with disease.
Yet the stories maintained by these
reprobates under the severe exami-
nation Of able counsel retained to de.
fend him convinced % twelve but
tw~enty-four oathbound Jurors. selected
with every possible safeguard to in.
sure their impartality, that he was
guilty. Once the Appellate Court
held that he had not been treated with
that absolute fairness the law sets as
It's standard: again, the Appellate
Court declared that every right and
privilege n liberal system DEGREES had
been preserved to him. Who recalls
now the Indignation the reversal OF
the first verdict occasloned? II was
as II the honorable men composing
the Court Of Appeals had betrayed
their trust, instead of bravely uphold
ing 1t. The assaults then made on
the Judges and on the system they
administer for doing their duty and
ordering a e trial to the accused
were as Incorporate and Ill consid-
cred as the vicious attacks levelled
against those who now. as they did
then, hold to the principle that the
law must rule.
The higher courts, the most dis
tinguished Judges, have examined
with a care unknown TO the layman
the record IN the case. Their findings
have sustained the verdict obtained
by the prosecution. The law said
that the man found guilty must die.
II Is not thirst for blood. not unrea-
soning, venomous hatred of an indi-
vidual, not a wicked pursuit Of an
unfortunate that supports the find.
ing Of the jury and the decisions OF
the courts. There Is no rejoicing to-
day in the heart Of the man who prose
cuted BECKER; the Judges before
whom his pleas were made are no!
elated by his death; but wherever the
essential obligation OF society to its
members is comprchended, wherever
the orderly administration Of justice
is cherished, there Is profound relief
that the powerful Influences arrayed
against 1t have not been potent to
stay its course.