Alexandria Gazette

THE TAYLOR-BUMP CASE.—In rendering
the decision in the Taylor-Bump assault
case, which was tried in Baltimore on Saturday
last, as noticed in the Gazette of that
day, Judge Phelps said: "This case presents
some novel features. Unlike most
cases of assault that occupy the attention of
this court, there appears to have been no
whisky in it, nor was there a lady involved.
Laughter. It differs also from the customary
cases in that the parties concerned are
members of the bar and personal friends of
the individual who occupies the bench. This
is not a court of chivalry, nor a court of honor
of the feudal ages, and therefore some aspects
of the case which have been brought
out in the testimony and dwelt upon in the
arguments cannot be permitted to enter into
its determination. Trial by battle is now
obsolete. This is a criminal court, and its
duty is simply to apply well-known principles
of law to the facts proved. In doing
this it may often fall short of attaining the
ideal or abstract justice, and must be contented
if it can reach the average justice. A
breach of the peace has been committed.
No deadly weapon has been used: no serious
or lasting injury inflicted. Circumstances
of provocation have been offered in
evidence, not as justifying the assault, but
by way of mitigation of punishment. The
court does not consider this a case for a
mere nominal fine on the one hand, nor for
a very severe punishment on the other.
The fine of $25 and costs will therefore be
imposed."

Mr. Taylor's friends seemed well satisfied
with the result. Mr. Bump's friends say
that he did not institute the prosecution
from personal motives.