The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-09-05

The question is often asked as 10
why there is such an increase all over
the country of dissemination on the
part of the people to let the law pun
ish crime, instead of taking the mat
ter, as they do, into their own hands,
and executing summary vengeance
upon the offenders, Within the last
few years, the number of persons
Iynced has multiplied in an aStOnish-
ing manner-in fact, it has become
necessary, in case of any aggravated
outrage, to take instant precautions
to shield the suspected offender in or.
der that he may have any kind Of
trial.
No doubt the reason lies in the long
and veXatious delays of the law The
feeling has become general that the
chances are about ten to one whether
the guilty individual escapes, on suf-
fers the penalty of his crime, and in
the first heat of Indignation, the
thought is to put the first beyond hui
man power. 1t is certain that while
in everything else the world has pro
crossed, IN the matter of dealing out
justice by law it has fallen behind.
Steam and electricity are the two
forces which have enabled the gener-
atiOns of the present to do in one day
what their forefathers could not ac-
eOmplish in weeks, but they are pow
erlesS to hasten the movements Of
the law, in spite of the fact that they
aid in catching criminals and hunt
ing up evidence. The whole legal
machinery appears to be moved now
in the direction of delay, which, as a
writer in the North 1mericu1 RerieC
well says, in the case Of a capital Of
Tense, "puts off punishment to such a
time that its infiiction seems to be a
cruelty" The American people are
quickly aroused to a fever heat of in
dignation against wrong and cruelty,
but it as quickly passes away, and Il
sort of sentimental pity for the often
der takes its place.
The litigation and delays in civil
suits are almost interminable, and a
wrong decision would often be more
welcome than such long, heart-sick-
ening waiting, which frequently
brings more expense than the amount
involved. The slightest excuses are
accepted as reason for putting cases
over to the next court. The defend
ant is not ready with his witnesses,
or he has some reason for postpone
ment, which is quite as likely to be
one made for the occasion and with
out real force, as to be good one.
Instances are given where the trial
has been kept off in this way for
many years, five and six being not
uncommon. Then when the case is
finally tried, it is by no means GER
tain that it is ended. There are APP
peals upon appeals. The defendant
may go through all the courts to the
highest, have the case decided in his
favor there, 90 back TO the lower court
for the new trial armed with this de-
ciSion, have it affirmed, and then the
plaintiff may appeal on some ground
for new trial, and the round is gone
over again. Such things DO happen.
If both parties live to be old as Me,
thuselah the suit may come to an end
in their lifetime.
1t is profitable work for the law
yers, but exceedingly improbable
for those involved. Besides the pc.
cuniary outlay, the wear and tear Of
body caused by anxiety and VeXa.
ton of spirit cannot be calculated.
1t is evident that there should be q
reform in some way. 1t Is evident
that justice should not be made q
foot ball to be played through the
courts of the country. Crime should
be punished with as little delay as
possible. The law should take time
enough to give the accused all the
chances to which he is entitled and
no more. Could this state of things
be brought about, thieves and rob.
bers and murderers would not, as
now. pursue their nefarious callinge
with almost complete immunity, OF
terrify whole communities into an
ever-abiding sense of security. Where
justice has any show, order rules
Toledo Blade.