Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-20
THE CASE OF sImoN RATEN.

\ large number Of people whose opin-
ions command respect and whose sincerity
Is not open to question in the matter under
notice, petitioncd the Executive to COM
mute the sentence of Simon Raten. Law
yers whose opinions are also of value, have
certified their belief that Raten's crime
was lacking in the essential elements of
malice and generalization but it is not
explained why, if this be tree, the Court
that tried the man failed to develop the
fact, or why the point vas not tested by
the Supreme Court, to which an appeal was
taken. SO far as the lawyers are concerned.
therefore, that house of opinions must be
taken to be divided against itself. The Gov
ernor, under the weight of the appeals
made, has yielded to the petitioners, and
saved the murderer from the fate he
richly deserved. Nothing seemed more
unnatural, or vas more unaccountablc
than the position taken by mary good citi-
sens regarding this case from the outset.
Simon Raten, an ignorant and passionate
Tartar, having provoked Il difficulty with
a fellow Workman while he, Raten, was on
a drunken bout, was sopndly punished
Smartiug from the beating and still in
famed with liquor, ne applied 10 police
officials for Il warrant of arrest for his as
sailant. According to his own showing to
h.. h. l.. III Il.
not entitled to the warrant; and outside Of
that fact felt justified in not acccding to
his passionate demands, made while under
the influence of strong drink. He was
therefor put of until he should be in
fit condition to state his case, il he had
any better one. AusereJ at this refusal
and cursing the officers, the next day he
armed himself and went upon the street to
slay his enemy. This was certainly de
liberatc intent 10 commit crime Meet
ing his foe, he fred at him in
crowded street, and succeeded IN wounding
an innocent byStander. lie st once fed,
not knowing that he had rot killed the
man. This showed a realizing sense of his
act. lie was pursued by indignant citi-
zens seeking his arrest and shouting to
the people to stop murderer. As he flew
down the alley-way James Lansing, an
unofierding and good citizen, hearing the
hue and cry, stepped out from his premises
to ascertain what il was all about Raten
turned and aimed his pistol at him.
Lansing stepped back, and, while in the
act of turning away, held up his hand and
cried, non't shoot" Raten however,
deliberately stood and fred, killing Lans-
ing. Raten was further pursued, over
come after bitter resistance, conveyed 20
prison, tried, convicted after all the heat
of the affair had died away and was
condemned to death. This we believe to
be a fair statement of the facts As deyel-
opcd on the trial But large number of
people, holding strange views Of the law,
insist that Raten's act was not that Of will
full murder If not, then he should he set
free. The theory upon which the apollo
sists proceed land not including herein
those who petitioned because of merciful
sentiments, as We have understood it to
be stated during many months past, is that
Raten was smarting under what he con
ceived 10 be great wrongs; that when he
was pursued he had reason to believe the
pursuers would do him harm, possibly
lynch him; that he turned, stood at bay
and resisted as any other man would have
done; that he fred rot intending to Kill
James Lansing, whom he did not know
Therefore, it is concluded he did no muir
der worthy of the death penalty 1t APP