The Police have charged a ship's fireman named Thomas Sadler
with the murder of Frances Coles, the victim of the latest tragedy in Whitechapel, and the prinxi-facie evidence against him is strong. It was at first believed, as we mentioned last week, that this was one of "Jack the Ripper's" murders ; but careful investigation seems to show that, at least as regards four of those ghastly atrocities, Sadler was at sea when they were committed. The present crime, therefore, if he com- mitted it, is one of the ordinary vulgar kind, and would, but for one fact, be deserving of attention only from the tribunals. The case, however, has been accompanied by an extraordinary ,development of the practice of trying prisoners before irre- sponsible opinion. One journal has published evidence given by Sadler's wife, who is legally disqualified as a witness, which must prejudice any juryman who has read it ; and another gives its readers a letter from Sadler himself. As we advocate the examination of all prisoners whenever they consent to it, we are unable to censure the publication of the latter document ; but its despatch from the prison marks a terribly rapid advance towards the American system of trial by the journals. It has been said, and is true in one way, that this does not impede substantial justice, because twelve journalists would make a capital jury ; but then, it is their instinct to take sides. If the Times tried to hang Sadler, the
News could hardly avoid trying to get him off.
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