Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1880-10-23
COMMCNICATED.l
Mr.. EDlrOE:

N4h. EIDITOE:
As it is through the columns of the
newspapers that We are permitted to ex-
press our ideas for ths approval or dsap-
proval OF the public 1 therefore, give u
TOW interogatories for what they may be
worth. Our court after an lntermission
of over twelve months finally convened
the first Monday of this month. with
many criminal cases to dispose of, bust
ness was dispatched without any inter-
ruption and justice supposed to I've ad
'ninistered, trials by jurors which has
been time honored custom, gave their
verdict regarding their oath rs Jaw
abiding citizens, which verdict either
Caused the prisoner at the bar to leave
tho Court House with a light and happy
heart, or return to his coll with fo:ebod.
er1ngs Of misery and wret chedness as his
destiny in the future. 1t is but natural
that humanity should sympa thize with
all those who suffered, bur justice and
law, both divine and civil, dema nfs the
penalty of crime. Now the question I
wish to ask is why do we have iuries
why do we put tho pariah to 80 great an
expense1 why not abolish the trial hy
1nry >! tits but farce, why not assert the
whole power in the Hon. Judge, for 1t
seems he virtually has that pow err any
way as has been illustrated in the case
OF the State vs. Frank F]owe 8. Said
Flowers was tried by jury, not a single
witness appeared in his defense to the
ininds of the jury they were convinced!
tha' 1t Was cold, premedtated, diaboli
Cal murder. And thoy returned their |
verdict accordingly. Flowers cnaracte,
was known as = bad man, he had shot A, |
o5hers before and escaped just ice by not |
beng reported. Every body knew IN
Hrew Jackson-his death was lamented |
ny all, the mob of 4 multitude wanted TO
1Shch Flowers, but was prevented hy the !
urgent appeal of law abiding citizens. |
desitous that the law she uld take it's
course. Before the breath bad left Jack
SONS body, those who saw tho deed OK
pressed themselves ,ruthfulIy as they
testified to its having been dastsrd.y
mnrder: the jury as have
SAID found him guilty. 1t is bua right
that prisoners iawy er sho ID do all he
can for his client; and life is precious TO
all. A new trial was asked for, that can.
not be objected to, but upon what
grounds scould q new trial be granted
Twelve jurors swo-n to be unbiased re-
turn their verdict and while sadness
gathered over the countenance of the
pubic at 80 sad an event, still the ,,ui-
Versal expression was, justice has been
done. But the jury's verdict is hy some
means set aside, 4 new trial is granted,
Flowers acknowledged his guilt before
the hon. Court, and is sentenced to the
pen'tentiary for life. This may be law.
brit whether justice has been done,-I +
suppose only the lawyers are able to d.
eide. 1 am apprehensive that the truth !
IS that capital punishment will soon be
'nterely abolished, public opinion seams
% pe drifting in that direction, 70 here
n our parish during the last Is months
think there has been 8 murders. a,,re p,
lis true were accidental, two are punish
q; and these murders, with the cxceDr.
IN OF one, were all among the co ored
eople. Ifan example had been set with
lowers, meeting his deserts on the gal
WIS, methiuks it would Ila We been lesson
latswould not have soon been fnruottrn: r
IL as our Courts are--Courts of Jus;ir.
suppose we will have to SAY it is All
sht, for as good citizens we are ,suh,ct Re
the powers that be, and only prny
at crime may be known less, and thar
p Leelsature may soon Il olsh the Pc
~ system. CTTIZEN
WISE DEACoS.-'Deacon Wilder,