The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-13
LETTERS FROM TIE PEOPLE.
What Can We DO About 1t?
the Editor Of tne 1ndianapolis journal:

10 lhe Eultor OF the Indianapolis journal;
The graphic picture of the Generalization of
society, in the editorial of the 18th is not over
drawn. If l should say the half was not told, it
would only be saying that it is impossible to do
the subject justice in one short editorial But
the most alarming feature of all is the impossi-
bility of applying remedy. The editorial sug
gests none Can any be proposed that shall not
appear revolutionary This connection of law
and crime is not confined to Cincinnati, or to In
dianapois, or to South Caroina-it is national.
Only think of tho wicked dily-dallying in the
trial of Guiteau-a whole year consumed in the
conviction of the of whose guilt there was
no doubt, and who should have been hanged, at
the furthest, in ten days after the death of his
victim. Instead Of that he was lionized for
year, and tried with pomp of circumstance
that was calculated to inhame all such cranks
and superinduce a repetition of the crime for
the sake of the nOtoriety thus given.
England does not thus foster crime. No other
civilized nation does. In that we stand alone.
But what can we do about It'll In some places
the better class are forming what they call law
and order associations In other words, they
confess their inability to protect themselves
through the constituted machinery of law. and
they thus impose upon themselves extra duties
takes
the form of well-regulated mob, as in johnson
county, Indiana, few years ago. by which ten
persons We're hanged within 81 few weeks; and
more frequently of later years in the hanging of
one or more at a time. A notable instance of
this was in San Francisco, thirty years ago. when
tho rule of gamblers, thieves and cut Threats
was broken by vigilance committee In New
York there is an association of this kind which
operates chiefly as detectives and informers, and
something of the same kind is about to be organ
(fhlcaOO sol WIN
have, within few weeks, openly announced
their purpose to defy the law of the State. Now
the principle which underes these several
shades of independent movements is the same
whether the purpose be to hang man
because the law, as administered is not
likely to, or to furnish evidence and employ ad-
ditional counsel to punish some minor offense;
and 1t Is just as wrong to engage in one form Of
vigilance cOmmltteeism as the other. In either
it partakes of the nature of rebellion against
the sovereign-against the State; and has come
to be regarded as essential to the enforcement of
law so that it is common for thieves and others,
who are bold to defy law, to taunt society by in
solently saying, why don't you enforce the
law" as though it was everybodys duty to quit
their ordinary business and become amateur
prosecutors, or to hush up about the breaking OF
law
Is there any remedy for all thisl know of
none, unless those who are not in sympathy with
the criminal class unite in saying that the Grim
lnal classes by controlling primary elections and
nominating who, if not of their class, yet
fear to offend their masters, shall not dictate our
candidates and compel US to vote for them, under
the pains and penalties of social and political
ostracism.
Perhaps, to return to the former system of
making judicial officers, by executive appoint
ment, for life or during good behavior, would be
one step in the right direction Certainly the
evil complained of has wonderfully increased
since the election of judicial offices for short
terms, and by popular vote, has taken the place
of executive appointments. 1t is largely, if not
chiefly, owing to the independence of the federal
courts that they are so much more terrible to
evidoors than our State courts The whole
subject demands the gravest consideration of
our wisest men, and it is to be hoped that the
constitutional convention which is certain to be
called, viii give it careful investigation.
U. L. SEE