The Placer herald., 1859-01-15
Express Robbery.


stage was stopped between Forest Hill and
Todd's Valley, by eight men, and the Ex-
press box, containing one hundred ounces of
gold taken. The robbers fired several shots
to bring the stage to stand STILL and sever
al Of them kept the driver and messenger
covered with their revolvers, while the 9th
ers secured the box. They took the box,
short distance, struck a light, and secured
the treasure. During the attack, the desper-
ADDE'S had their faces covered with masks
some of which were found afterward, near
the scene Of their exploits. AS yet neither
robbers or money have been found.
This makes the third successful Express
robbery in Placer county within few
months, and thus far the perpetrators have
escaped detection. The frequent occurrence
of these affairs is naturally exciting the ap-
prehensons Of gold dust shippers, and the
tone OF community is taking direction that
bodies no good to highwaymen if caught in
the commission of further misdeeds.
1t has been suggested, and doubtless the
matter will be presented to the attention of
Legislators, that the death penalty should
attach as a punishment for robberes of this
character; as these robberies are always
committed by threats to take life if the Gus
todians of the treasure, or the passengers
attempt to resist,-that these desperadoes
always go prepared to resort to extreme
measures, and only fail to do so by having
their wishes complied with. That this is
true is well known; and there appears good
reason for a distinction Of punishment be-
tween crimes Of this nature and those where
there are no threats against life. But, if
the death penalty becomes the punishment
for stage robbing, can the law be carried
into effect? Will it not be dead letter up
the statute book? Death was the penalty
affixed to the crime of robbey for years in
this State-we do not recollect of an in
stance in which it was legally carried out.
The act was obsolete, and it was repealed.
No law should clog our statutes which can
not be carried into effect. If such acts are
permit ed to stand, a feeling of Indifference
and contempt is engendered in the minds of
the people for the laws of the State.
We much fear, law of the kind now
suggested will be no more effective than the
old one. Could we satisfy ourselves of its
efficacy to mete out deserved instise to such
offenders, for its passage we would ever pray.
ES"We are glad to hear from our old
friend "Forty Miner" and have given his
communication appropriate place. 1t is pos,
sibe that, in dissenting, from the views of the
recommendations of the Governor regard
ing primary elections, we may not have un
derstood fully his views upon the subject.
We are not so set in our own opinions as not
to be willing to be convinced of error, and
are certainly anxious for free and fair eX
preston of party sentiment in making no.
limitations; and if it be shown that this can
be accomplished by Legislative action with
out an unwarrantable interference with party
organizations, we will be as free to advocate,
as we have been to condemn. Forty yniner
speaks our sentiments fully in condemning
the proxy system. 1t is an evil that has
grown in the parties of California-it is
troublesome, unfair and dangerous. We
heve seen the error oft long since, and
hope the day is near when, if not entirely
abolished by parties it will be hedged in by
such regulations as will prevent it being a
means in the hands of wire -pulers for pack
ing Conventions.
With all respect to the opinions of our
correspondent, we intend to hold on tena-
ciously for the proceeds of the ninth and
tenth class licenses until the counties shall
receive quid pro quo for them. This re-
venue to many counties, is necessary to their
financial salvation.
TS-The Placer Press does not wish to be
inquistive, but proceeds to be impertinent,
by desiring an unequiyocal answer to the
questions whether we are favorable to the
election Of John b. Weller as the next U. S.
Senator, before any other candidate; and
favorable to the nomination of Mr.. Stratton
as our next State Senator? We conceive
that our individual preferences are matters
of no concern to the editor of the Press, or
any one else. We say to him, however,