The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-11
JUSTICE IN MISSISSIPPI.
Lawlessness and Where the RESPONSE
bilty for 1t Lies.

bility for 1t Lies.
From the Brookhaven (Miss) Leader.
Deny it if we will, regret it as We may,
there is no concealing the fact that the
criminal laws are today held in greater
contempt in this State than ever before.
The administration OF justice has come TO
be looked upon largely as a stupendous
and costly farce, the executors OF the law
as so many actors playing a part, and the
taxpayers (who pay the fiddler as
the chief sufferers. Homicides, especially,
are fearfully on the increase, and never
before in the history OF the State, has
human life been so cheap or the taking OF
it so unlikely to be followed by serious
consequences to the murderer. If any
one doubts these statements let him. be-
fore he charges this paper with uttering
that which is untrue, count up the murders
and assassnatlons which have occurred
on Mississippi soil within the last few
years, aud then let him see how few of the
guilty ones have met their Just reward. 1t
has come TO be believed by the great body
OF the people that If q man have money
and influential friends, he may STAY whom
he choose and under what circumstances
he likes, and he is in less danger OF having
Justice meted out TO him than the insig-
niiicant criminal who steals a yearling or q
shoaL
These things ought not TO be, but they
are, and we have recited them here rather
for the purpose OF pointing out the causes
for their existence than to dwell upon the
awful fact ITSELF
First, We want TO say, much OF the
trouble lies in our jury system. Very lit
tie blame attaches to the judiciary. Here
and there perhaps Judge has been re-
creant TO his duty and disgraccd the
ermine by leaning TO the side oil criminals,
but rs whole, Mississppl's judiciary is
above reproach both MS TO ability and in
tegrity. The weakness OF our courts lies
chiefly in the ignorance, corruption and
uniitness Of jurors. A lawyer with bad
case on his hands always wants the county
raked with fine-tooth comb for the most
ignorant jury TO be found, and II II is ig-
norant and corrupt too, so much the bet
ter. Too often Boards OF Supervisors con-
spire against justice in the selection of
jurors, and in such instances criminals
find juries friendly to their interests ready
TO hand.
A second, and by far the most potent,
cause of the contempt for law which we
have described is the abuse Of the pardon
ing power. After the most blooicurdling
murder has been committed and the muir
derer, in spite OF the laws delay, faulty
jury system and sharp, INSCRIPTIONS law
ycr, money and influential friends, has ut
last been convicted and sentenced 10 hang
all at great expense Of money TO the tax.
payers Sin steps the the Governor ard
commutes his sentence 20 imprisonment
in the penitentary for life, and shortly
after that follows with full pardon, thus
bringing the lawand courts into contempt
Punishment ior many minor crimes IL cs.
capped by the same means, and 80 follows
the terrible decentralization which disgraces
our State.
But We would not be understood as lay
ing all the responsibility for this abuse Of
the pardoning power upon the Governor.
Often no sooner has criminal been con.
victcd than good, law.abiding citizens,
many OF whom IL may be clamorcd Tor in
ilicting the extreme penalty OF the law
upon the offender until he was sentenced,
turn about and bosiegc the Governor for a
pardon or cOmmutation Of sentence as the
case may be. Outrageous rs has been the
abuse OF the pardoning power, It is safe to
say the Governor has never yet pardoncd
or committed the sentence OF u criminal
where he was not strongly petItioned 10
do 80, by men OF high standing, and often
by yc preacher OF the GOSPEL and other
model citizens. In fact, some very scnsi.
bic people seem to think the most effect
we way of impressing upon the criminal
classes the terror OF the law is to rush 10
the Governor with a petition 10 set aside
lis penalty.
The State needs Governor who duly
appreciates the great responsibility OF his
position aud who will not be sweryed from
the path of duty and justice by any such
appeals, but IL also needs a sober-Inndcd
citizenship that appreciates its own re-
sponslbility. and viii not throw It's innu
cncc on the side OF criminals aud thus
furnishing the Governor plausible excuse
Tor defeating the ends OF Justice.
Until public sentiment Is properly yer.
tebralcd on this subject, better jurics pro-
vidcd and lever pardons granted, crime
will continue TO run rampant In Missis.
sippi, and Judge Lynch will finally usurp
the functions OF all the regular tribunals.