Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1886 — NINE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS. [ARTICLE]

NINE YEARS AND TEN MONTHS.

That Is the Length of Time Aiderman Jaehne Will Spend in the Penitentiary. [New York special.] Ex-Alderman Henry W. Jaehne, convicted of bribery in connection with the Broadway franchise steal, has been sentenced by Judge Barrett to serve nine years and ten months in State Prison. Jaehne was pale and his eyes had a weary look when he stood up to receive his sentence. In reply to the clerk he said that he was 36 years old, and a jeweler by trade. He made no reply when asked if he had anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced. In passing sentence Judge Barrett said that it was humiliating that a man who was selected to public office in this city should have so heinously betrayed his trust as the prisoner had. “I oould not be unmoved at the spectacle of your weeping w’ife and broken-hearted mother,” continued the court; “but the saddest thing of all about your case is the doubt which pervaded many good and honest minds of your conviction. There w r as not a doubt of your guilt. It was universally conceded when the evidence was in that the case against you was clear, convincing, and overwhelming. There was no doubt of your guilt, but there was a doubt concerning the chances of convicting you. “The first doubt seems to have arisen from lack of faith in the efficiency of our jury system, the zeal of our public prosecutor, and the efficiency of our police. These doubts will be dispelled by your conviction. It teaches an important lesson. The majority of people in public life have have not their price. Let me again say at this point that your offense was not technical bribery, but a stupendous bribery for the furtherance of a stupendous transaction. “Have the people of this city ceased to remember the fate of Tweed, of Genet, of Connolly, of Fish, and of Ward? The people are not all honey-combed with corruption. According to the testimony in your case the two only honest men in the board were sneered at by you as dudes. Our worthy Sheriff—Grant—refused the proffered bribe, and it is entirely immaterial, as was suggested, whether they expected the reward—Grant to run for Mayor and O’Connor for Governor.” Jaehne’s counsel made application to Judge Daniels for a stay of proceedings and it was denied. Jaehne has been taken to Sing Sing.