Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-14
The Promp. Punishment OF Crime.

In view OF the awful fate which be!cl the brute
Peck at the hands of a mob in Pooe5vilie last
Saturday night, the murderers of young Hirth
can thank their stars that their INDUSTRIOUS
crime was committed In Washington and not In
one OF the rural districts OF Maryland Had its
scene been so changed, Ii is safe to say that
these criminals would now be familiar with the
mysteries OF the realms beyond the grave, in
stead OF being safely and comfortably housed in
jail awaiting trial for their heinOuS Offence,
under the forms and guarantees OF law. Yet 1t
Is better that 1t should be so. And this not only
so far as il affects the criminals Individually
but also for the welfare and protection OF society
itself. There are occasions and circumstances
which for the time being seem to justify the
summary and extreme action of an asSemblage
OF indignant and long suffering citizens but sssh
proceedings are always dangerous, since they sap
the very foundations of law and order, and there
Sno telling where precedents so established may
lead. On the other hand, however the officers
OF justice should see to 1t that they leave no
ground on which such an assembage can stand
to either defend its action or SET up the plea
that It is necessary. Those charged with the
execution OF the laws have it in their power to
largely reduce the per centage of crime every
where, If they are SO disposed. The swiftness
and certainty of punishment have even greater
terrOrS for the criminal classes than the nature
Vi tHt ptlldfty lOT tllcT OiieHce. OuL-
laws well know that Just in the proportion that
they can secure delay they reap the benefit of
loss of proofs and that lack of public interest
which always comes with delay. and thereby
increase their chances for final escape. Those
in whose hands the protection of life and prop
erty is placed, should therefore see to it, not
only that the extreme penalty of the law shall
be enforced in every case, but that its punish
mentS shall be quick and sure. Nothing short
of the fulflment of these conditions will give
to society that immunity from lawleSSness and
crime TO which it is entitled; and community
viii accept nothing less from officials as that
faithful and complete discharge OF the sacred
trusts committed to their hands which it has
the right TO demand.
-Apropos to the Hirth case, 1t may be added
that it affords to the new L. S. District Attorney
an admirable opportunity to demonstrate his
fitness for the important and responsible Office
to which he has been appointed. If he prose-
cutes it promptly, vigorously and successfully,
he will In large measure justify the recon-
mendationS and promises of his friends. Should
he fall In either respect he will at the outset of
his official career confirm the worst predictions
OF those who viewed his appointment with dis
favor and apprehension. He may at any rate
rely upon it that his management of the case
will be closely watched and freely criticised.
eStS are involved will OF course be carefully
serutiniZed, as they may arise, but this one
from its nature and the circumstances SUI.
rounding it. will be likely to attract the earliest
and widest attention.