West-Jersey pioneer., 1873-08-22
CLASS EXEMPTIONS.

IOOllSu OuSb. AS We lOOk dU UIl0n nov
they do not appear to be formed upo1
any principles of common sense The,
taxed sorely both the reason and pa
tience of the people, but still they wer,
laac, and because they were law an un
questioning audience was yielded tt
them. So great was their reverence
that it took long time to convince
them that repeal was possible, ever
after they were convinced of it's inutil
ity. In the Middle States, the feeling
was not quite so intense, but still ODE
dience to law, and the execution of its
behests, was cardinal principle of gov
ernment from the State down to towr
meeting, and from Governor to 6
pound keeper.
In the more southerly States, although
their population was largely made up Of
convicts, still the necessity of a prompt
execution of the laws was well under
stood, and usually thoroughly accom-
plished. There were not so many laws
as we have now, but they were respect
ed by the good and feared by the bad.
When once man was clearly convict
ed of crime, it did not, seemingly, en-
ter into the heads of people that there
was any avoidance of it's penalty
Such state of things is necessary for
any good government; and while there
was not as much enlightenment as now,
there was good government among the
people. No one expected to be exempt
ed from the laws or to escape the pun
ishment prescribed for his crime, if he
were found guilty of crime. They
assumed that the pardoning power
would only be exercised in cases of
doubt, or where the causes amounted
to almost justification of the wrong.
The idea of man being exempted be-
cause he belonged to any particular
class of people, apparently never en-
tered their minds; and high and low,
rich and poor, Protestant and Catholic,
met alike the retributions of the law
But later days have witnessed great
change in these things, and whole class
es of men are pretty sure to escape the
consequences of their crimes, in any
such degree as the laws demand
Wealthy men, and women largely con-
stitute such class. The advancing
corruption of the country has accepted
wealth as the chief good, and for money
men will violate the chasest provisions
of the social code. In New York, with
in the past two or three years, several
Judges have been proven to be guilty
in this regard, and the line of descent
below them has not been shown to be
any purer.
In any jnry of twelve men there can
almost always be found one whose YER
dict can be bought with money; and in
our absurd jury laws, one man can null
ify the other eleven. If jury should
agree to convict criminal, the law is
now so full of technicalities, that when
ever there is money enough to back it,
bill of exceptions can be filed, which
will in some stage or phase Of the trial
arrest the proceedings of Justice He
will not be allowed to go perfectly free
public sentiment is not yet sufficient
ly debauched for that-but his crime
will be condoned, and he receive mild
er sentence, which milder sentence will
in very brief period of time, be sup
plemented by pardon, and the man
go free. In looking over the executions
of the past decade, we cannot recall
single instance where man of wealth
has been deprived of life for the COM
mission of crime.
Another class of exempts is found in
men possessing political influence
men who can control votes. It is
rare case indeed where one of this class
is severely punished for a crime. More
violations of the social code take place
by this class than any other, and fewer
punishments occur. He has always
some friend at Court-some man for
whose advancement he has worked in
the past, or what is still better, can
work in the future. Curiously enough
it does not seem to matter much what
side he is on, he can secure the friends
if he can control the votes Some of
the most disgusting atoms of the moral
scum of our cities possess this kind of
influence, and very few of them are
ever brought to any punishment
Their crimes are matters of daily oc-
currence, and their punishments are
annual.
One other body, as class, are toler
ably well exempted in our large cities.
The Roman Catholic population, where
they possess either money or influence,
generally go free. Not always free in
the beginning, but almost always clear
in the end. The mother Of young Wal
worth attends Romish services; his un
Gle is an influential priest, and the in
fuences being brought to bear upon
the Governor for his pardon is almost |
overwhelming. Yet, this young man
is parricide-a man who deliberately
murdered his own father, and whose.
apparently sustain him in the !