Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-06-23

teIpIetdblOuS. TOT tu6S6 tIl6 IeSdl pro-
fessiOn are largely responsible, since
those who make our laws are mainly
controlled by men of that class, eveA
though numerically they may be mi
nOrity.
Next we observe that in most trials,
especially for capital Offenses, our courts
seem more anxious to throw protection
around the person of the criminal than
to insure the ends Of justice. The aft
davit of any perjured rascal is too readi.
ly accepted as grounds for pOstpOnement.
1t is easy for criminal in jail through
these means to tire out slOw-fOOted JUS
tice till the peoples witnesses have died,
removed, or lost their memories, while
their own witnesses are ever on the alert
and do not forget. And if at last the risk
Of pliable jury is safely passed, the
doom falls and all good men cOngratu-
late themselves that once more justice is
done, there Is still resource that Is
measurably sure; since it is pursued in
the dark and without warning to the
general public. An appeal to executive
clemency is likely to win. These facts
are true of every state in the union un-
less we except New Jersey. The proof is
a matter of daily reading. Not three
months since leading paper in Texas
boldly asserted that for 25 years no MUIR
derer of means had been capitally pun
ished in that state, and no one has yet
questioned the statement.
The people who are the sOvereigns and
directly interested in the protection of
society are aware of this deplOrable state
of things. What wonder is it if, here
and there. they choose to take up the task
of self protection, with an earnest and
swift vengeancep Since the powers they
have organized for the purpose are slow,
expensive and almost useless. When a
bold burglar and murderer or a ravisher
of innOc ence meets his fate at thu. hands
of an incensed community every heart
thrills with approval; while the sober,
second thought, If spoken would be 20
that it had been done promptly but firm
ly by the forms of law" In the case of
our lamented Garfield, if the 80 millions
of the land had been the jury, common
sense the rule of law, and man of nerve
for Judge, we would have been spared the
disgrace of the long trial which by mere
accident sent the demon Guiteau to his
reward. ..... rii @ r,
The inquiry next arises, what is the
remedy? venture briefly to suggest a
few, though tie wisest men will fail to
find a perfect cure.
l. Let every law be subjected to the
rigid criticism OF our best jurists in the
interest of both the public and GRIMM
ais.
2. Amend the absurd precedents of our
courts that almost compel Judges to con-
cede everything to the accused, and moth
ing but costs to the people, who are the
accusing party.
3. Make it possible to obtain an intel
ligent and impartial jury by q better
system of selection, so that both parties
may have equal advantages.
4. Limit the time consumed in trials
by shutting out irrelevant testimony
and dilatOry tactics and paddock the
mouth of any legal counsel who cannot
cOndense his arguments to a period of at
the most 10 hours.
Lastly, take away the one man pardon
ing power, or else compel fair warning
when application is made, so that the
people may have chance to defend their
case before the Governor, who is official
ly the court of last resort. 30
Do all this fearlessly and faithfully in
the spirit of eternal vigilance, and COM
ing years will surely bring surcease in
large degree of extra-judieial punish
ments. 5. Z. w.
D6tTOlC, June 10, 1000.
We were at Cheboygan the morning
after the lynching, and while many re-
GREETED 1t as something that would re-
fleet on the town, nearly all agreed that
the punishment was just and no more
than he deserved. 1t is easy to decry
lynch law, and counsel prudence when
such affairs are remote from us. But
xuha fhau hnnNa IN
human nature rises up in protest
against the laws delay which so often
enables villains to escape just punish
ment. Self-protecti0n is the first law of
nature, and in taking the lives Of such
moral mOnstrOsities, society is only pro-
tecting itself against repetition of the
offense. We do not uphold lynch law,
but as there is no doubt of Warmers
guilt, we do not know but that it was
Just as we'll to excuse him from the
world, and save the expense of a trial.
Harbor Springs Independent.
The Detroit Free Press, in comment
ing on the lynching of Warner for the
outrage on, and attempted murder of
Nettie Lyons, while deDloring the affair,
closes its article as follows:
And yet, in considering this case, 1t is
we'll worth inquiring whether the law
is without much responsibility for 1t.
There is widespread feeling in the
community that, for certain crimes, i'm
prisOnment even for life does not afford
adequate punishment, or exercise that
deterrent influence upon others for
which in large measure punishment is
inflicted. If the atrOcity of ravishing
child and attempting its murder were
capital Offense, it is more than likely