The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1893-05-26
THE SMITH-TAGERr CASE.


account of The meeting of the Cir
cult Court, and the lesson in public
morals is once more brought be.
fore the public attention. Smith
and Tagert, the guilty parties have
been duly indicted, arraigned and
a plea OF guilty entered and sen.
fenced 10 the penitentiary for IA
term of twenty years each-ten
years for robbery and ten for as
sault with intent to murder. Thus,
the court has done all that
can be legally done in this case,
up to the present time. Should
the wounds Of Mr., Cook prove ia,
til within a years time, the PMS
oner's will be indicted and tried
on the charge of murder.
This community has been deeply
stirred over this crime and the ex.
presSions from The populace, with
but rare exceptions, have been in
favor with the idea that too severe
punishment could not be meted
out 10 these two young desperate
characters. However, we can on,
ly advise actions within the limits
of the law, and to be alert that no
guilty man escapes justice.
On this line Judge Terral, in his
charge TO the grand jury, said
1t would be a work supercrogatory to
call attention to the circumstances in
which Mr.. Joe Cook received his injuries.
If he WAS robbed of the money in his GUS
tOdy, the law permits no excuse for such
an act. Ii he was assaulted in such u
manner as might have produced his death,
whether to con ceal crime or for any 9TH
or purpose, the iniiictiOn of such injury
or being present and consentipr thereto.
or if absent. and advised il. they are Mi
| alike seyerally auilty of :, f,IuHious as.
sault with intent to murder.
This dreadful tragedy has been a sur-
prise to the whole country. How in tlis
peaceful community two youths should
hear,less "a horror, i. a matter of univcr-
the h spriuys of human ,1a action It misbt t" i%
asked to inquire whether they were led
course of minor offsnses, which Iiuntei
vi who oil. " JrnwmsI !. ., vo ice' Of " co"se;su aa"
It. might be useful t" us as citizens to
bors or parents have heretofore failed to
e%ev wro ,"e,f , lu"'I Savs aor antt, "y n repeat "Iii.
cations of social life, that dictates of OBJ.
some, If not ali. Of Us, have been greatly
1f1,' mss III III S our "G,y to I. THESE young men,.
particulars there will scarcely arise IL
tons. No man eye. sa" committed I a
great crime without first committing
The human mind is not born corrupt, but
"util # eS ~ ~ Iss' X s y"d' a' So,, :" 81 os' xon
have for your consi lerat'on.
IN this connection we would re-
Ter 10 'he TACT that there sun ex'
ISIS IN scranton a gang OF young
hooalomS' whose vicious acts are
ever anu anon coming TO light,
ana II something Is not done to
ch'cK Them, III all probability it
WIN not De long before their deeds
may become rs 0lo"dy and horrl'
Ole a. those committed by Smith
and lagert anc the one for which
young Clark is standing trial.
when one sees The Liberty grant
Ell lumber OF young chaps III
this community, the lack OF moral
restraint exerted by many parents
the loose moral influences that is
thrown arouni the rising genera
ton, 1T is no wonder that bold vio'
'ations OF law and society become
encouraged and fostered among a
certain class of young boys. II
may just us we'll be admitted tina,
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