The New York herald., 1874-12-24
THE CRIME OF SENSATIONALlSM.

ADDRESS By MR. JOHN R. DOS lAssos ON GRIM
INAL LAW REFORM
regular meeting OF the edeo-Legal Society
was held last evening at the College OF Physicians
and Surgeons, Twenty.rhird street and Fourth
avenue. DIR. r. L. Parsons presided.
number OF new members were elected: among
Others. Freeman j. Fithan, Dudley Field. Henry q.
Lockwood and Chauncey NJ. Depew. The society
now numbers about $50 MEMBERS, who belong to
the medical and legal professions. The lawyers
are slightly in the majority.
Mr.. John R. Dos Passos whose brilliant defence
OF Edward S. Stokes will yet be remembered, de-
lvered q remarkably able address, entitled
"Hints for Legislative Reforms" He alluded in
introducing the subject, to the occasional periods
OF time when the public nina was so disturbed
and excited upon the apparent increase and bold
ness OF crime that to suggest any measure, no
matter how deeply grounded In justice and
humanity, which might possibly be used in
the defence OF an accused person, was to
subject ones self to the plory Of newspaper crtl-
cism, which, If It did not kill SO promptly and
surely as Russian guiliotine, indicted slow and
patient torment to some minds hardly less en-
durable. The speaker deprecated this cry for
severity, and turned to the discussion OF the law
for cases Of murder. Mr.. Dos Passos demonstrated
that the law Of 1873 practically abolished
capital punishment He thought. however.
that imprisonment for hfe was far more
cruel torture; and yet the chances OF par
don and escape rendered It too hazardous
On exchange for the certain erect OF capital pun
ishment The Legislature should pass law mid
way between the theory OF instantaneous and de-
llberate premeditaton. After contrasting the
former barbarous cruelty OF the laws with their
present humanity, Mr.. Dos Passos made several
suggestions which ne presented with the skill of
fitR
ing crime. he thought, was to stop the prOmiscu.
ous and nd,scrimlnate publication Of criminal aud
lessened the respect OF the citizen for
tic detail of crimes the terror Of offences was ma
teriaily lessened and their enOrpity soon wore or
one m o. 9ae moss humane reTfms
large proportion Of condemned criminals in Eng
Land having confessed that tney had been constant
SPECTATORS at similar scenes Professor DOremuS
had shown that at the examinations OF experts In
cases Of poisoning much testimony was given
or ordinary criminal trials
All that vast volume Of reading which came
under the head OF sensational" was open to the
same CRITICISM, for by portraying In the luxurious
language OF romance and poetry the morbid pas
sions underlying acts OF rurpitude the moral
taste OF the public was vitiated, and thus the way
paved for an increase OF crfme The formal sur
roundings Of courts struck awe into the hearts
acquainted with every detail OF criminal jurispru
dencc. How depraved was the appetite which
gIOateQ I0r nOurS over Jue TeCltAl OF every WOTu
and gesture Of the poor wretch on his way to the
gaows as though they were Of the greatest i'm
portance to the world
Mr.. Dos Passos declared that he advocated the
largest liberty Of the press The free press was
pioneer which had led on this nation to Its pres
ent position in the van OF the civilized world.
He would detract nothing from It's glory and only
weed out It's dross. He was willing to leave IT to
the press to appoint board OF censors who
would exclude all these dangerous features OF
newspaper reporting. Failing in this he would
not hesitate appeal to the Legislature to correct
oyiIu vUo n la I'm nnCt no m M
morals OF the present generation. Llvely ap-
plauseo
OF the law passed last year In regard to the treat
ment Of insane criminals. he objected TO It on
the ground that 1t deprived the accused OF the
sacred right OF trial by jury, and substituted for IT
a commission to investigate the sanity OF prls-
oner. This provision was clearly unconstitu
tional. The Legislature might as well appoint
commission to ascertain the truth OF an alibi. All
the barriers and safeguards OF trial by jury were
suddenly swept away oy the star chamber proceed
ings Instituted by this commission
The address was listened TO with profound at
tention and received with marks OF unstinted ap-
probation.