Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1889-06-29
CONTENTION OF DISTRICT At
TORNEYS.
Clinton, La, June 10th, 1873!

(ll1ltOn, LID, cuiic loth, Aooo'
EDITOR RICHLAND BEACON,
Dear and Honored Sir:-I notice
your comment on the proposed "Con-
vention of District Attorneys, tor the
purpose OF amending the criminal
laws of the State" You say that "the
belief is general that lawyers alone
are not the most competent people in
the world to suggest needed revision
of laws"
I will not controvert this PROPOSE
ton with YOU, however, | may dissent
from your opinion. | am the author
of the proposed Convention of Dis
trict Attorneys" and as was induced
to make the suggestisn by an earn
est wish for the public welfare; |
would be.glad if you would allow me
space to give my reasons for the sug-
gestion.
1t is well known by all, and / have
no doubt but that it has been the
subject of repeated comment by the
RIcHLAND BEACON, that our criminal
law and practice is marred by many
technical pleas and rules, that result
in interminable delays and the de-
feat of justice, and acquittal of many
the most guilty criminaly. 1t is
also true, that the punishments i'm
posed by our laws are unjust and
unequal and not proportioned to the
offence. That the methods of trial
are cumbrous and expensive; that the
methods and degrees Of punishment
are either too harsh and brutal, OF
too easy and expensive. A vast mum
Der of crimes are punishable only by
Imprisonment in our parish jails, the
aggregate of this expense to the par
ish, taking the whole State, is a grea
sum Of money. Juries are allowed il
the trial of all the most trivial crimes
with the same cloud of witnesses
brought, in many cases, from 20 to 81
miles before the great dignifed Dis
trict court, with the sheriff and hi
deputies, with a crowded docket
cases going over, being continued ant
re-assigned; witnesses called bacl
again and again. The loss to tn
community in this loss oftime, worry
inconvenience and arrangement q
the business interest of the country j
immense. The language used in man
Of our penal statutes is vague an
) uncertain in its meaning. Our crimi
nal laws, as whole, is the work of
: hundred minds, and is marred b
numberless incongruities. A lawye
has case in Richland parish an
2 finds that the law does not reach i
e as he thinks it should. Then the1
D is similar case in East Feliciana, an
e so on through the State. Each on
Of those lawyers drafts a statute an
a ehtrusts it to the member from h
parish and it becomes a law. Thes
! new enactments are not impresse
e with wisdom and uniformity. The
v represent the passions Of their sewers
o authors; they are hastily inartist
n cally drawn; they are not part of an
o plan or syrtem. Thus it is that o,
r criminal laws are faulty and inc
: fcient.
r AS I originally suggested, the we
n fare and progress of the State of Lor
n isiana depends, in a great measur
e upon the sure and speedy punishmel
e of crime by her courts of justice.
e know you will not doubt that Il
District Attorneys Of the State kno
o the DEFICIENCIES of our criminal syste
e better than any other body of me
IS Now if their patriotism is to be trus
d ed, and I am sure it is, their sugge
it ton of amendments to the said sy
It tenn would be wise ard fruitful
n great good.
Very truly, yours,
JOHN H. STONE,