The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-01-20

! weeks CrimlDal DlStfict Couft.
hope you will keep your word, and
place side by side the two above
named criminals, with the.penalty that
was administered 10 them.
The first one, Jim Davis, guilty of
petty larceny, under two indictments
for the same offense, one for stealing
pistol, and The other for stealing
four or five dollars;
The other, Geo. Smith, also under
two indictments, one for resisting an
officer, aud the other for striking a
darkey over the head and inflicting a
wound less than mayhem.
Jim Davis is an ignorant negro, who
had no friend aud no petition. His
Honor had IT in his power to send him
either to the parish Jail or to the pen
itentiary from one day 10 two years,
and he gave him, for stealing that
pistol and the four or five dollars. the
full extent of the law, that is, two
years III the penitentiary for each
offense, or four years in all.
George Smith shot at a man aud his
| wife here within the corporation,
resisted arrest, drew his pistol on the
marshal, refused altogether TO be
taken 10 Jail. Besides, in the last few
days he assaulted darkey because he
refused to loan him his saddle, and
beat him over the head being in
dicted for that offense, he refused to
be arrested by depaty sheriff Delony,
and only when sheriff Dunn and a
resolute deputy went after him and he
saw he had to come, did he conde-
scend TO take bis quarters in the par
ish Jail.
On Wednesday last he plead guilty
to the charged Of resisting an officer
and wounding less than MAYHEM, and
the District Attorney entered a nolle
prosequi in the other charges against
him.
The case had attracted considerable
attention, aud all were anxiously
awaiting the sentence of the Judge.
Meantime a petition had been drawn
up by the lawyer of the young GRIM
inal, setting forth that Gas George
Smith had plead guilty, the under
signed petitioners would recommend
him to the mercy of the Court" The
petition was widely circulated, but
failed to secure the signatures of many
people, and especially the signatures
of The Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff, Dis
trict Attorney, Mayor, Marshal, etc.;
in fact, it had the signature of emily
one of the officers of the court. 1t was
signed, however, by good many
young friends Of the criminal, other
people, and especially by that element
who are always proud 30 put their
names to any petition, aud generally
sign without reading.
What would the Judge do? was the
current topic of The town. Most peo-
Pile said he would not consider tie
petition, as he himself knew too well
the value of any petition; and many
went to the court house on Friday
evening to hsar his decision. Now,
his Honor, in each of the two cases for
which Smith was indicted, had the
same power that he had in the case of
Jim Davis, power to send Smith either
to Jail or the penitentiary from one
day TO two years; Smiths sentence
could have been therefore, as Jim
Davis four years in the penitentiary.
But Smith had petition; aud his
Honor taking in consideration, | sup
pose, Smiths very exemplary life pre-
vious to his indictment, aud because he
had known his father, grand father,
etc, ETC., sentenced him to six months
in the parish Jail.
Poor Jim Davis stole pistol and
four or five dollars, aud he is sent TO
Baton Rouge for four years; but Geo.
Smith, because he shot al man and
bis wife, and refused to be arrested,
and pulled his pistol on the marshal,
and terrorized him, aud beat darkcy
over the head, aud refused second
time to be arrested, is recommended
to the very mercifuI Judge, who gives
him six months in the parish Jail.
George had so well behaved that his
Honor decreed that the parish should
pay his board at the rate Of $1,000 a
month, say $7200 for SIX months.
Webster defines justice 'merited, re-
ward or punishment" In this case,
"George Smith got the reward and
Jim Davis the punishment"
JUSTICE.
Four Big sue