The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-28
THE CRIMINAL CnnRT.

HE CRIMINAL COURT.
The Criminal Court of this county needs re-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
It does, indeed; and we believe the voters of
Marion county will see to it that it is recon-
structed. Another decision in liquor case
in that court, yesterday, shows just why and
where it needs reconstruction. tits not in the
Office of prosecutor, but in the Office of judge.
The presence of a Republican prosecutor has
been no bar to the enforcement of the laws;
publican prosecutors have done their duty,
and done it well; but they have been ham,
pered by decisions in the interest of law
breakers that would shame Dogberry. For the
judgeship of that court the Republicans present
thoroughly competent honest and worthy
candidate, good lawyer, man of unblem-
ished character, courteous, dignifed and
fair-minded gentleman. OF his election over
his competitor there is no manner of doubt.
But the Judge is not enough. The best judge
in the world Can do but little unless there is
a prosecutor who is in harmony with
his views in the enforcement of law, and who
will see to it that, so far as his Office is con-
cerned, law-breakers shall have no advantage
over society. For this Office the people of
Indianapolis are to choose between Mr.. Joseph
B. Healing and Mr.. James L. Mitchell.
Of Mr.. Mitchell as man and as a lawyer
the Journal has no word of depreciation. He
is genial, pleasant friend and companion,
and a good lawyer. But the people of Indian
apolis have had taste of Mr.. Mitchelps quail
ity as an officer, and they know that when he
was Mayor the influence Of his Office was not
only not against law breakers, but Extensively
in their favor. They know how the city was
given over to reign of corrupt lawlessness
during his mayoralty that caused him and
his party to be repudiated by the larg-
est adverse majority ever given in municipal
history. It was time when hoodlum-
ism was rampant; when the notorious
Virginia-avenue gang practically held the
local government by the throat. The police
would and did arrest these men; but when
brought before the Mayor, the law-breakers
were discharged and the police lectured until
they ceased attempting to make arrests. The
News has asked what influence Mr.. Mitchell
had over the enforcement of the law. He
might have had the sameinfuenceth that Mayor
Caven had, Mr. Mitchell's successor, and un-
der whose administration the reign of 1awless-
ness ceased, and the hoodlum gangs were eff
fectually broken up. The News thought
Mayor Grnbbs had some influence over the
enforcement of law, and becauseit believed
he did not properly EXCISE it it
opposed him for denomination to
the Office. There were the same laws and the
same police under Mayor Mitchell and under
Mayor Caven. Will the people of Indanapo-
lis recall the difference between the admins
trations of the two menY AS Mayor, Mr..
Mitchellwas nominated, supported and elected
by the elements unfavorable to the enforce
ment of the laws, and he did not rise above
the level of those to whom he owed his place.
If he should be elected prosecutor he will owe
his election, not to the few men who may be
persuaded to vote for him on personal grounds,
but the vast bulk of his vote will come from
elements as decidedly against the enforcement
of the law now as they were when
he was Mayor. Can the people, who
want the laws enforced justify themselves in
voting for Mr.. Mitchell to be prosecutor Of The
Criminal Courtq That the laws sus xsi.
enforced now is not the fault of the prose
cutor. Why reconstruct the court in way
to imperil the laws aeainG Why not recon
struct the court where reconstruction alone is
necessary to secure the object desiredg
1t is because the Journal wants the laws
enforced, and vants the Criminal Court to
cease to be the harbor Of refuge for law
breakers, that it earnestly urges the voters of
Marion county to see to it that there shall be
both judge and prosecutor elected who will
not be under the control of influences whose
interestsAre against law and order.