Sentence on Czolgosz.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 248, 28 October 1901, Page 3

Sentence on Czolgosz.

A PITIABLE SI'ECTALE. Buffalo, Set. 20. The bravado and indifference whioh Cz.olgosz had displayed since his dastardly deed were shaken when ho faced the Court to-day. Covered with a cold perspiration, his eyes filled with terror, and his organs of speech all but palsied, Czolgosz. presented a spectacle that none could look upon with anything but loathing and contempt. Yet he strove desperately to conceal his agitation, hut his manifest failure seems to forecast a greater collapse before the death sontenco is executed.

Sallow, unkempt, and with eyes fixed on the floor, he shambled along with hesitating feet and limbs that seemed almost too weak to support him. There was a tinge of red about his eyelids, indicating loss of sleep. He slouehed into his seat as in former days, but his attempt to feign lack of interest failed. Every few minutes he would wipe the perspiration from his face with a soiled handkerchief, and he constantly moistened his pallid lips with his tongue. His fingers aud hands twitched nervously. Every eye in the Courtroom was upon him. but he seemed oblivious.

As soon as the Court was formally opened District Attorney Penney moved sentence for Czolgosz. The assassin was assisted to his feet and placed under oath. The usual catechism was conducted under difficulties, as the wretched man could speak ouly in a faint whisper, and most of the questions had to be answered by Mr Penney and reaffirmed by the assassin by a nod of his head. He looked dumbly at the district attorney as the inquiry proceeded, and his brain was so benumbed with fear that his replies were almost merchanical.

The prisoner's record was taken as follows:—-Age, 28 years; nativity, Detroit; residence, Broadway, Nowak's, Buffalo ; occupation, laborer: single; degree of education, common school and parochial; religious instruction, Catholic; father living, mother dead ; temperate ; never before convicted of crime.

Clerk of the Court: Have you any legal cause to show now why the sentence of the Court should not be pronounced against you ? A.: I cannot hear that.

Mr Penny : Cz.olgosz., the Court wants to know if you have any reason to give why sentence should not be pronounced against you. Have you anything to say to the judge '? Say yes or no. No reply. Judge White ; In that behalf, what you have a right to say relates explicitly to the subject in hand. The fact is, that you may claim that you are insane. The next is that you have goo I cause to offer either in arrest of the judgment about to be pronouneed against you. or for a new trial. A. I have nothing to say about that. Court: Are you ready 2 Mv Penuev : Yes.

Q.: Have you anything to say'? Czolgosz : Yes. Judge Titus said he had nothing himself to say on behalf of the prisoner on the line indicated. He added :—“ It seems to me that in order that the innocent should not suffer by this defendant's crime the Court should permit him to exculpate at least his father, brother, aud sisters.'’

From the Court; “ Certainly, if that is the object of any statement he wishes to make. Proceed."

The prisoner said: There was no one else but me. No one else told me to do it, and no one paid me to do it." Judge Titus repeated this in substance, and the prisoner continued

“ I was not told anything about that crime, and I never thought anythiug about murder until a couple of days before I committed the crime.”

This was also repeated by the prisoner's counsel. His statement finished and verging on collapse he dropped into a chair, only to be quickly raised for the sentence. With head bowed he paid little heed to Judge White's words :—•• In taking the life of our beloved President you committed a crime which shocked and outraged the moral sense of the civilised world. Y’ou have confessed that guilt, and, after learning all that at this time can be learned from the facts and circumstances of the ease, 12 good jurors have pronounced you guilty, and have found you guilty of murder in the first degree. “ Y T ou have said, according to the testimony of the credible witnesses and yourself, that no other person aided or abetted you in the commission of this terrible aci. God grant it may be so. The penalty for the crime for which you stand convicted is fixed by this statute, and it now becomes my duty to pronounce the judgment against you.

“ The sentence of the Court is'that in the week beginning October 28th, 1901, at the place, in the manner and means prescribed by law, you suffer the punishment of death. Remove the prisonor.” With pallid face and head bent down the assassin left the Courtroom for the last time, shackled to the detective, and was taken through the *• Tunnel oi Sobs” to his cell.