WELLINGTON NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 95, 21 April 1894, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, thiß day, THE CHE MIS CASE.

DoRrNG last session very strenuous efforts were made by a small party of earnest members, notably Messrs Hoeg and Mills (of the Sounds); to induce tho Government to review the Chemis case, in order to coneider a request for remission of sentencs. On two occasions the discussion came on by notice of motionj and additional interest was given to the proceedings by the presence in tho ladies' gallery of the wife of the convict, an attractive woman, and a handsomo boy, her son. Tho poor woman listened to every word of those who pleaded for her husband, convicted of murdsr, with a hunger eagerness painful to see. Mr Hogg, who is not ordinarily an attractive speaker, was really so eloquent in a cause that he so evidently believed to be just as to secure the respectful attention of a full Ifouse, but it became apparent that ail he had said would be of no real avail. When Sir U. Stout, rising in his place, with a gravity of mem that became the occasion, proceeded to say that the evidence of tbe ciimo had been couelusive., that he was familiar with the case, and that, in bis opinion, the iurv could not have proporly arrived at any other verdict but that of "guilty." Later, further influence was brought to bear upon tho Government, and consideration was promised. It had been given, and we today know bhe Government can discover no reason for reopening the case. Commenting upon the crime and the criminal, the "Post" last evening says: " We do nob often find ourselves in accord with the preFenb Ministry, bub we most thoroughly approve of its decision in reference to the unwise agitation in favour of the release of the convict Chemis. For the Government to have taken any other course would have been bo prostitute justice to political considerations. There is nob a shadow ot fact to justify the Executive in

interfering with the commuted sentence, which Chemis is now undergoing, despite the most desperate exertions on the part of a few politicians, and the mistaken efforts of some who honestly believe in the man's innocence. The Premier 13 perfectly correct in saying that * No circumstances have arisen since the trial which would warrant the Government to recommend His j Excellency to remit the sentence.' Tho I Premier might indeed have gone further, land said that since the trial circutn?tance3 I have been disclosed in other judical proceedings which cleared up any possible doubts on the evidence given at the capital trial, j and fully established the propriety of the verdict then arrived at. The abortive prosecution of Detective Benjamin, for alleged perjury, riveted the chains round ChemiSj and rendered clear certain matters which might; previously to the casual or careless observer have appeared obscure or open to doubt. Even before the Parliamentary Committee evidence was brought which tended to elucidate the I case, and to afford further evidence jof the convict's guilt, although the Com- ; I mittee failed or was unwiliine to recognise j its significance. We have had much more ! than ordinary opportunities for acquiring I a knowledge of the facts of the Chemis I case, and we feel bound to say that we I have not a scintilla of doubt as to the jusfcj ness of the verdict which the jury returned at the trial of Chemis. We are able therefore to thoroughly commend the Government for the firm stand taken in this matter, 'fhe case cannot be re-opened on the old evidence, and not a particle of fresh evidence bae been produced to benefit Chemis, or throw a doubb on the propriety of his conviction. If we could entertain any reasonable doubt ns to bis guiit it would be a grateful task to us to join in the demand for his release ; but, as we see no room for such doubt, we are bound to do all iti our power to prevent what would be a terrible miscarriage of justice.