The circumstances attending the murder of the latest victim of the Whitechapel maniac seem scarcely credible. A Mrs. Maxwell, who knew the deceased well by sight, is emphatic in her statement that she saw her twice, and even had a conversation with her. At nine on Friday morning, according to Mrs. Maxwell, the deceased was alive, and suffering from a drinking bout. An hour later, or at 10 o'clock, the woman's body, hacked and mangled was discovered in the little room which served as her lodgings, the remains being open to the view of anyone who chose to look through the window facing the court. At five minutes past ten the police had information, and at a quarter-past ten the place was surrounded by police-constables.
Assuming, therefore, Mrs. Maxwell's story to be accurate, the murderer must have walked into the victim's lodging in broad daylight, slaughtered the woman, and performed the most horrible barbarities afterwards. He must have removed from himself any traces of the crime, and walked away from the spot in a manner which excited no one's attention, for no one saw him leave. For cool villainous audacity the latest crime outstrips all the previous murders in the district. It ought, however, to be stated that the doctors believe the murder to have been committed much earlier than the hour mentioned by Mrs. Maxwell; who, however, adheres to her statement.
The only scrap of comfort in connection with the horrible affair is the news, officially announced, that Sir Charles Warren has at last tendered his resignation of his appointment as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and that is has been accepted. Sir Charles complains that whereas he has been saddled with all the responsibility, he has had no freedom of action, and in consequence his position has become more daily unbearable. "No freedom of action!" After Trafalgar-square this is good.
Meanwhile silly people continue to accuse themselves of the murder, asserting that they are "Jack the Ripper". It is, however, satisfactory to find that this kind of practical joke will in future be dealt with very sternly. At Clerkenwell, on Monday, Charles Thomas, aged 51, a labourer, was charged with offence, and Mr Bros sentenced him to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour, remarking that he should send every man to prison, without the option of a fine, who was brought before him for shouting out in the street that he was the Whitechapel murderer. Bravo! Other Metropolitan magistrates, please copy.
