Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-18

and juries are no longer to
,, De relied upon by which to sustain the
| rights of the people. The newspapers, and
| especially may 1 mention the Fort Worth
! GAZETTE and the Dallas News, are daily
! and weekly parading before the eyes Of the
, reading public these facts. 1t has also
been said by leading law writer, that
he '.penal code and code of criminal
3 procedure of Texas are spotted all over with
finger marks of lawyers who make their
living by defending persons accused of
crime" do not admit the truth of these
charges, but do say that something, some
where is radically wrong, and that it is our
duty demonstrations officers of the PEG
ple,rf0 find where the defect is,
ka if in our power, remedy,
II. If it be in the law itself, certainly by
constant observation, research and expert
ence In attempting to enforce the law we
ought to be able 10 find wherein the law is
deficient, and if we can il is our duty as
Officers Of the people, intrusted with the en-
forcement of the law, to use every effort
DC not in the law, but because
of failure on the part Of the people at
large, including the courts and the juries,
TO use the means at our disposal in enforc-
ing the law, then it would devolve upon US
to discover the proper manner to proceed.
we should make an honest endeayor TO find
1t. 1t Is indeed a sad reflection upon
the intelligence of the people of
this state TO say that they
the citizens. have not confidence in the
efficiency Of the courts to protect the rights
of the citizen. In order to enforce any law
made for the protection of the rights and
liberties of the citizen, it is necessary for
those attempting its enforcement to have
the full moral support OF every citizen.
If this convention fails to make
any suggestion as to the amend
ment or change of the laws worthy
of adoption, l still have hopes that it will
have tendency to cause the people to give
their officers their full and unqualified
moral support. Let US then, with the
nature Of our work fully before US
all the time, enter upon the discharge
of our labors in this convention, with the
single view of encouraging the repeal CT all
bad laws, the passage of good ones, and the
strict and rigid enforcement thereof. Again
let me thank you for the distinguished
honor conferred on me-"
Professor Carlisle of the high school then
asked the privilege of the floor, and re-
quested that in addition to at
tending the entertainment of the
state normal the attorneys appoint
one of their number to address the mem
bers of the normal at the university last
the invitation of the normal would be COM
piled with, and later in the afternoon,
after numerous nominations and as many
destinations of the honor, j. G. George was
elected to deliver the address.
A motion that committee of three
be appointed for the purpose of making
the convention of district and county
attorneys permanent organization was
made. AS substitute 1t was moved that
this come under the province of the COM
mittee on resolutions, and that this commit
tee should fix the time and
place of the next meeting, decide
on dues, initiation fees, etc, and draft con-
ment of the conventions which
shall hereafter assemble. The sub
stitute was adopted, after which
the reading of resolutions and proposed re-
visions of the penal code and code of Grim
inal procedure was begun.
The following were the most important
resolutions offered:
Resolved, that the legislature be asked to
limit or confine the testimony of defend
ant in his own behalf as follows: If a de-
fendant be allowed to testify at all he be
compelled TO testify first as witness for
the defense, and not afterward Another
resolution of the same purport was offered.
Resolved, that article 6S5 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure he repealed
Resolved, that in case of seduction where
the defendant promises to marry the plant
if and to so gain a dismissal of the suit
that it shall be the duty of the jury to sat
isfy itself of the good faith of the promise;
that the law on the subject be SO framed as
TO guard against immediate desertions after
marriage.
Resolved. that in cases of felony less than
capital, the same number of peremptory
be allowed the state as allowed
the defense.
Resolved, that the code of criminal pro-
cedure be so revised that a peace officer NAV
execute warrants in any county in the
state.
to testify in his own behalf the state be
allowed to comment on such failure TO the
detriment of the defendant
Resolved, that each and every county and
district attorney present be urged to use |
his influence in securing votes for the con-
stitutional amendments relating to the ill., |
dietary, which is to be submitted TO the |
people on August IL.
Resolved, that any person who shall shoot !
into q private house OF residence with will |
full intent, shall be punished with imprison- !
ment in the penitentiary for term not less |
than three years nor exceeding five.
Resolved that no playing at cards be al
lowed except in private residences, and that
such place be so defined as 10 leave no |
doubt as to what constitutes private resi-
dence.
Resolved, that the law be so revised as to
give justice courts jurisdiction in cases of |
carrying concealed weapons and disturbing |
public worship.
Resolved, that where sheriff is engaged
in conducting criminals from one point to
another, that he be allowed mileage for the
prisoner and be allowed TO charge the same
lp to defendant.
Resolved, that the two words drug stores
DC stricken from article $50 of the penal
code.
Resolved, that in cases where it is not !
possible to produce the body, or a