Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-10-15
Canadian Judges ora Pistol Prac-


The following extract, showing
the prompt and stern way the judg-
es of the Canadian courts deal with
the users and carriers of the abom-
nable, murderous pistol, we copy
from the Toronto Globe. Il would
be well for the reputation of our fair
land if the judges of the courts here
should initiate the infexible justice
and stern enforcement Of the law as
practiced by our neighboring gov
eminent. Something must be done
to check the too free use of the dead
ly pistol, and the wisdom of men
can invent no better plan than to
rigidly enforce the law:
son Friday Mr.. Justice Burton,
at the London AsSizes sentenced a
man who had, while drunk, wound
ed another with a pistol, to twelve
months hard labor in the county
goal. On the same day Judge
sentenced one man to three years
in the penitentiary for wounding
his brother with a pistol, and two
others to three months in the Cen
trail Prison and two years in the
penitentiary respectively for stab
bling with intent TO do bodily inju-
~. Some of these sentences may
seem severe when it is considered
that none of the wounds were fatal,
and that there was therefore no
question even of manslaughter.
But in each case the escape of the
victim from death was a narrow
one and that death did not result
was in every instance due to some
thing else than the caution of the
reckless assailant. One of the
wounded men carries the pistol
bullet in his neck still, and will
probably continue TO do so as long
as he lives. All these crimes, and
many others of similar character
which come before the courts from
time to time, are due to the foolish
practice of carrying knives and pis-
tolls contrary to the law. By Mr..
Blake's act severe punishment is
provided for the mere carrying of
a pistol without express permission,
and no doubt the fear of being
heavy fined has to some extent les
sened the practice, but that carry
ing pistols is still common is only
too evident from the frequent
use that is made of them. The
Judges are, therefore, quite
right in imposing severe SEN
fences on men who aSsail each other
with such deadly weapons. 1t may
be taken for granted that no man
ever draws a knife or a pistol on
another unless when he is in pas
sion or a state Of intOXicatiOn. If
he had not the knife or the pistol
when in either OF these conditions
he would probably, on proVOca-
ton, use his hands or some less dam
gerOus weapon. With these he
might easily inflict serious injuries, |
but such injuries, are far less likely |
to be fatal than stab or bullet |
wound. This shows the supreme |
folly of men carrying weapons so !
likely to bring them into serious |
difficulty and lead them to commit |
crimes which are sure to cost them |
their liberty, if not their own lives. !
The heavy sentences pronounced by |
Mr.. Justice Burton and Judge Mac |
kenzie are not likely to deter men |
who carry knives and pistols from
using them, but they may have the /
effect of making some men think |
whether they had not better throw |
away such weapons altogether. BY /
all means keep up the heavy penal |
ties for such offences until incipient |
ruffianism is somewhat better held |
in check than it is lust nOW.n