p. 368 | Proud of Perjury by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 11, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 23.

Proud of Perjury.

By Editor

THE prevalence of perjury in our courts is alarming, and makes it impossible to administer justice with any certainty. The “Sharon Divorce Case” developed an unusual amount, and the noted witness, Nellie Brackett, now comes into court, and without a blush or sign of regret, swears that all her evidence in the case was false. She was complimented by a lawyer on her powers as a liar, and coolly replied: “Well, I told a good many lies, and told them well; I am a success at it.” A fifteen years’ sentence to San Quentin might cool her ardor, and take away from her silly head the romance of false swearing. But there is so much of it done that it loses its vile character in the eyes of the world.

We would cheerfully make one suggestion, if it would do any good. Our public prosecutors ought to add perjury to the indictments of “defaulters,” alias thieves, and others who serve themselves in offices at the public expense. Why administer an oath, making a man swear that he will faithfully discharge the duties of an office, and never take note of the perjury when he violates his trust? Nothing serves more to make the oath a farce than this practice. But we fear the current is set in too strong; it will scarcely be checked.