United States or Moldova ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Eddie Zanders was once more delegated to see that Cowperwood was brought safely before Judge Payderson and afterward taken to the penitentiary. All of the papers in the case were put in his care to be delivered to the warden. "I suppose you know," confided Sheriff Jaspers to Steger, "that Stener is here. He ain't got no money now, but I gave him a private room just the same.
The sentence of the court is, therefore, that you pay a fine of five thousand dollars to the commonwealth for the use of the county" Payderson knew well enough that Stener could never pay that sum "and that you undergo imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District, by separate and solitary confinement at labor, for the period of four years and nine months, and that you stand committed until this sentence is complied with."
Steger stepped back and Judge Payderson nodded, as much as to say he had heard all the distinguished lawyer had to say, and would give it such consideration as it deserved no more. Then he turned to Cowperwood, and, summoning all his judicial dignity to his aid, he began: "Frank Algernon Cowperwood, you have been convicted by a jury of your own selection of the offense of larceny.
At times the chamber was coruscating with these two gentlemen's bitter wrangles, and his honor was compelled to hammer his desk with his gavel, and to threaten both with contempt of court, in order to bring them to a sense of order. Indeed while Payderson was highly incensed, the jury was amused and interested.
Payderson paused as if in doubt, though he knew very well how he was about to proceed. He knew what his superiors expected of him.
The reasoning that is left to do in most cases is not much. And the sanctity of the law is raised like a great banner by which the pride of the incumbent is strengthened. Payderson, as Steger had indicated, could scarcely be pointed to as an unjust judge.
What we need is a higher and purer political morality a state of public opinion which would make the improper use of public money a thing to be execrated. It was the lack of this which made your offense possible. Beyond that I see nothing of extenuation in your case." Judge Payderson paused for emphasis. He was coming to his finest flight, and he wanted it to sink in.
One witness for the prosecution after another followed until the State had built up an arraignment that satisfied Shannon that he had established Cowperwood's guilt, whereupon he announced that he rested. Steger at once arose and began a long argument for the dismissal of the case on the ground that there was no evidence to show this, that and the other, but Judge Payderson would have none of it.
Give his words as near as you can remember exactly, if possible." "Object!" interposed Steger, vigorously. "His exact words are not recorded anywhere except in Mr. Stener's memory, and his memory of them cannot be admitted in this case. The witness has testified to the general facts." Judge Payderson smiled grimly. "Objection overruled," he returned. "Exception!" shouted Steger.
There are many such. Payderson was one. He fairly revered property and power. To him Butler and Mollenhauer and Simpson were great men reasonably sure to be right always because they were so powerful. This matter of Cowperwood's and Stener's defalcation he had long heard of. He knew by associating with one political light and another just what the situation was.
Word Of The Day