New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-21
nr,,vS avn DEFEATS OF JUSTICE.

II n common belief that delays are often
soucht in important criminal cases In order that
the nublic NAV forget the facts, cease 10 WAUGH
tbc proceedings. and so afford opportunity for
fine defeat of Justice. But this belief involves
asspmntions which if true are very serious.
The administration of justice, to begin with,
must he radically corrupt if it can only be de-
nended on while the public are watching II
closely. In theory it is machinery regulated
Inv law. and so contrived that it Will deal out
the same quality of justice to all aiike. III
theory it only requires ordinary diligence on
the part of the officers charged with It's opera
ton to proceed smoothly and well at all times
and under all circumstances. But "hat
are the actual facts Rich CRIMINALS are not
treated the same rs poor ones Inc former are
ablo IN DELAY and too often to defeat Justice.
The cases of Ward and Fish are directly III
point. The former after year OF delay, mas
only inst been indicted. The latter, having
bccn fried and convicted several weeks ago, Is
not vet sentenced. 1t is quite certain that II
these men had been poor laborers, and had
stolen n few dollars to keep their families from
starving. the penalties OF the law would have
beon inflicted on them swiftly and pitllcssly.
Beinc what they are, namely intelligent
scoundrels. fully comprehending the scope
of their own villany, yet proceeding coolly III
# until they had stolen millions, they have
been treated with the most marked tenderness
from the first their confinement mas peen
made merely nominal they have been spared
every humiliation the officers of the law have
become their most obedicnt servants; and the
stolen money which they possess has smoOthed
their way everywhere.
These things are not hidden. They are so
patent that every one can see them, ana the
scandal of them is the greatcrin that those who
are hclplng these knaves to escape their deserts
have not sensibilty to perceive the shameful
ness of their own position IL has IN TACT
come TO such pass that If il be said we have
one law for the rich and another for the poor,
reputation of the charge must be very difficult,
if indeed possible If il be coatcnded that the
true explanation lies in the circumstance that
those who have money can employ skilfui law
ycIs, who by resorting to all manner of legal
devices put of trials and delay sentence and
thwart and Illustrate Justice, the case -
aSsurcdly not put in better light; for what
kind of laws must those be- which are liable
TO be practically set mt naught by any rascal who
has a heavy purse The people of New ork
are much absorbed IN business and are sup
posed to have short memories for public affairs.
But depend upon it that the poor do not forget
these evidences OF gross and lagrant inequality
of treatment, and the poor have more votes
than the rich Not that the rich have interest
or part in the breaking down of justice. II Is
only the thieves who defend themselves with
stolen funds who are concerned to maintain the
present dsgracefu state OF things. But 1t is a
dsgraceful state of Things.
Merchants business men and the general
public must see that the delays and defeats OF
Justice which occur in these days put pre-
MUM on crime and especially upon colossal
cmbczzlemcnts. In short, between the defective
cxtraditIon treaty with Canada and our own
lax administration of justice, this is rapidly
| becoming a paradise for robbers Of the first
magnitude, while all the public efforts at re
form only result in making more glarng the
contrasts between the punishmcnts awarded
| petty offenders and the lcni'nt, not to say adj
miring and respectful, treatment OF the holder
criminals.