The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-10-26
talk With Governor NCCreary

"nOut CRIME ln r. eHtuGAy.
correspondence of the Courier-Journal .
l was in Frankfort Friday last, and
"a Roaming around met number of
vel known gentlemen, among them
us Excellency Governor McCreary.
During an interesting conversation
upon general matters, allusion was
made to the late trouble that belell
David Hall, of Franklin county. Some
spoke of the impression which has
gone abroad that his enemies were
huklux" as ridiculous. The truth
Is there are no kuklux in Kentucky
now, aud very likely never will be
again. Their day belongs to the dead
past, and stories that they still exist
are not to be relied upon; at all events,
so thought those to whose conversation
reference i m4de.
From the Franklin county "outrage"
The talk drilted to crime in general
and Kentucky in particular.
. notice, Governor, remarked one
OF the party "a great deal Is being
said by the press Of other States in
''fA ~ "a iAit III lAtilt Ith
Yes" responded his Excelleney,
but there is just rs much crime in
other States as in our Own. In Ohio
the papers devote hardly more than
three lines to a murder, but when the
deed is done in Kentucky the papers
OF other cities than our own chronicle
the news 10 a style entirely different,
putting everything in the most terrible
aspect. | believe that with return
Of the prosperity of yOre, as now in
dlcated byeaAe signs of times, we will
have a better era the lack of employ
nent has hadamuch to do with crime
p the laud; there are of course other
causes, but that is the chief | think
that has had more to do with its com
mittsl in K0htucky than anything else.
Some feuds, however, grew out of war
differences"
THE lack of employment has had !
much o do with crime in Kentucky, .
As you say, Governor. but | should /.
imagine the want Of proper education
ind failure Of the proper persons to /
punish the guilty have done something
70 make people more reckless than .
hey would otherwise be, said another .
If the party.
Il am anxious, in fact solicitous.
bout lending my aid at all times, aud .
would like to see the jaries prompt +
nd earnest in enforcing the law All +.
nen who favor law aud justice should
% operate with the courts when in
heir power, and help bring to punish
nent those vi care guilty. To pre-
.eut crime, every person should 90
lis full duty earnestly aud courageous
Y. CrmiualjudgeS, 10 whose districts
rhine Is committed, should instruct
rand juries 10 the strongest language.
;heriffs and other officers, whose duty
{ Is to arrest, should perform their
Iuty at once; officers not willing to do
heir whole duty should resign After
rrest and Indictment, the great re
ponsibiIitySjs with petit jurles. II /.
hey do their duty, then all will be
veil. | seldom pardon. 1t is a rare
hing with me. have pardoned less
han any fmy predecessors in like tim
believe that when a petit jury ana
udge have done heir duty, the
hould be DO interference in the way
f executive clemency. One of you,
spoke of aiding the civil
uthorify l always do it when called
pom. If the civil authority is in
| am always glad to send
be military. The statutes provide
bat when crime is committed the
'rimiual Judge in whose district il
skes place shall ak me to offer
eward for the apprehension of the
er.ons engaged 10 ca-e they have
,caped never fail 10 respond
roperly frequently the judges for-
ct to AK me | is their duty aud
Of mine Ofttimes. in aggravated
ises. l have even written to County
adges asking them to request me 10
fer reward in the manner pre-
ribbed By the lsw Of thc Safe The
quest must come from 'hom because .
le statutes so direct After [ receive
then [ can offer reward