The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-05-06
THE PATRONS OF MURDER.

IL mas UeCOiAe APPARENT In the last lew
months, that there is a sentiment exis-
tent In the minds of large number of
Americans, which deserves no better
than that Of sympathy with murderers
and outlaws.
To the petition for Sergeant Mason's
pardon $4,000 names have been signed.
To ssBetty and the Baby" as the Ser
geant's family is respectfully designated
by the public, not less than $1,000 has
been given. 1t is certainly bonanza
for Betty and the Baby, and they are
not to blame for Mason's acts; indeed
no one, with the exception of the crimi-
nal, is half SO culpable rs those who
wish encouragement to be given to men
of his character. AS far as the law
which governs the action of men to-
ward each other is concerned, Mason
had no more right to shoot at Guiteau
than Guiteau had to shoot at President
Garfield. Circumstances have, it is true
altered the case considerably. Mason's
attempt was a failure: Guiteau's, a
success. Moreover, Mason hos not con-
Quoted himself in the disgusting and
exccrable manner by which Guiteau
has got the reputation he now enjoys (?)
But though Mason's conduct is more
decent than the other murderer's (fOr
Mason is moraliya murderer, though
not legally so), we cannot sec that it
justifies his release. To what will men
look as the consequence which deters
them from crime, If its reward is to be
freedom for themselves and $1,000 for
their families? TO nothing but the
Judgment of a higher and juster tribu-
nal than that of man.
The question of Jessie Jaines's murder
is harder one to decide. The manner
of killing him was not legitimate. But
it was surely better for him to lose his
RACES ac1 Hditttm. Nothing can be more
communities than tho knowledge that
such man as Jesse james is allowed
to go scot free. For, even in such
communities, there are characters who
wonld yield to the temptation which
immunity from punishment gives, to
follow in the footsteps OF itlustriOus
criminals, were not those criminals
made to pay the penalty of their law
less deeds. Though the Ford boys are
not Of a character which we would de-
sire to see the rising generation emu
late, still we must think sorrow for the
death of James out Of place 4; and though
the means Of accomplishing it are not
of u laudable kind, the end is not to be
wept for. Though we cannot say we
would do as Gov. Crittcnden did, we
are not grieved by his action.
With Mason it is different. He as
saulted a prisoner in the hands of the
law, with no sanction bnt his own dis
content and desperation. On the whole,
we see no justification for the patron
age now bestowed on the numbering
enterprise, and, to our view, it should
receive no official recognition, and
should be met only by discouragement
and contempt, which may eventually
cause its suppresson.-No'M Louisiana
Journal.
The first term of the U. s. Court at
Shreport was convened on the LIST in.
slant, Judge Boarman presiding. Judge
P.rdee was unavoidably absent. Judge
Boarman stated that it would be neces-
sary for all attorneys who desired to
practice before the U.,itch States court
to step forward and take tho required
oath. All the attorneys then arose and
the oath was administered by the clerk
The Judge then stated that in draw
ing the jury it was his duty to appoint
a citizen of opposite politics to- the clerk
to act as commissioner and assist that
officer in drawing thejury, and he had
appointed Mr.. John j. Koran.