Daily Republican., 1884-01-29


Forty. four days more and then will
come the day set apart or appointed for
the execution of Lewis f. List, con
victed for the murder of George b. Tay-
Tor. The incidents connected with that
quarrel, for that is what it was, that
ended with such tragic and fatal effect
on that fatal day in September, 50
infinitely detailed by the press and
reiterated from the witness stand, are
still fresh in the memory Of our citi-
zens George B. Taylor was the i'll
fated victim of that fatal days quarrel,
and for this the stern mandate of the
law is that young Lewis F. List must
deliver up his life on the fourteenth day
OfMarch to satisfy offended justice. That
is how the case stands and where it now
stands.
The question is must it stand there
until that fatal day, with no outstretch-
ed hand to interpose before the ayenging
sword of justice falls
In "a broad sense, it might be asked
what is to be gained anyhow by the
execution of Lewis F. List, even We're
there no ameliorating circumstances
surrounding his case ? In these days
Vt enlightened sentiment the public
mind instinctively shrinks from that
form of public justice administered
through the gallows and guillotine.
In times gone by 50 little was thought
of the value of human life that thou
sands fiocked to public executions, to
look and gloat with tiendish glee at the
struggle Of the victim, to fight and
quarrel amongst themselves, and to go
away hardened in heart only to com
init murders. A dark blot still re-
manning in our country is that where
public executions are still permitted.
Refined, intelligent sentiment banishes
the gallows within the gloomy confines
of the prison walls.
If no doubts hung around the case for
which Lewis F. List is condemned to
die, then might stern justice with more
reason be permitted to WELD her sway
But where doubts do exist, as they
certainly do in this case, We ask again,
what can justice gain by his eXecu-
ton
1t is said that one Of the great objects
OF law is to reform the criminal. This
unfortunate shooting case that ended so
tragicauy and fatally was the result of
carrying concealed deadly weapons,
which is now an unlawful act. 1t was
wrong for List TO carry a pistol but If
1t was wrong for List to carry a pistol,
it was wrong for others to do SO. Not
withstanding tn" law against the prac
tice 1t is totally disregarded and every
discovery and punishment for this in
fraction Of the law only encourages the
closer concealnpnt OF them. While
people carry weapons there will be no
is condemned TO suffer by the forfeit Of
his life.
1t is not likely that List, even sup
posing that by any means he escapes the
stern mandate of the law, would ever
carry pistol again. neither is it I'M
likely that ne would not be an entirely
changed man and lead an entirely diff
ferent life. Young James Mutt carried
and practiced with pistol all his life
since he could handle IA pistol. Now
since he has escaped the gallows he
looks with horror on the sight Of pis-
tol. He says he never wants to see
one any more. His only desire is to
settle down quietly and become good
citizen. What would justice have
gained by hisexecution? Comparing the
act for which his life stood in jeopardy,
with that for which Lewis f. List
condemned to die. is there any 4"
and on whose side is it . -ireTehc'
Divine writ trN
ter that r'' --.s ne that II We're n@t-
CSC -.aetv. and-nine guilty persons
ape than that one innoc"nt person
"~siouid suffer, and carrying ont this
humane principle modern law provides
that the accused shall have the benefit
of every doubt. In the case OF List
were there any doubts raised, and II 80,
did he get the benefit Of them? umtor'
tunate young man, his haSty misfortune
occurred at u most unfortunate nihe
Back for several years there were NJ
white victims for the gallows, and
crime increased. The public tongue
became clamOrous for a change. There
were murders and murderers, but
through the intricate technicalltieS o
the law they escaped the murderer ;
doom, some of them on inerltorlols pre-
sentatiOn of their cases, others upm
flimsy fabrications, which wer" hu
perversiOns Of justice. Lists misfortune
happened lust when u change was de
manded There were no offsets to hi
case. He stands before the public as
the first return Of reconstructed public
opinion. 4 new leaf was to be turned
and his was to be the first name on HI
leaf There was to be general turn
ing back to the old, stern times wh"l
but few men who took lives, escape
with their lives, and Lists case wa
made the pivot upon which public opin
ion was to swing back.
The blunt question is. were there an!
extenuating circumstances in the cas-
of Lewis f. List? An impartial jnr.
Salu InpTe were NONE " ,hh'
an amelioration of the verdict to on
of murder in the second degree. W
would not run counter to the honest
of the Jury. We believe it was com
posed of honest men-men who h
lieved they were doing their duty con
scientiously and in strict consiatenc.
with their oaths. But they had hear'
the clamor Of the public for victim
They had listened to the burning elo
uuence Of the talented States attorney
They had heard the Lists, father an'
son, denounced as bad men before tn
trial commenced. "They ought to b
hung any how" and society is bette
off without them" were expression
that greeted their ears. They entere'
the Jury box sworn to be governed II
their verdict by the evidence in IN
case.
We have not the least doubt they be
lieved they were governed by the evl
dence in the case, but can we bellev