Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-12-12

Blum, Dec. 10.
Editor Gazette:
Replying to your request for an cx-
preston upon the three questions pro-
pounded, VIII say that believe the
criminal laws, or. at least the GRIM
inol procedure of Texas should be re-
formed. However. I am not one of
those who think that the whole sys-
tenn Is wrong, and that all lawyers and
Judges are 'ricksters and In league
with the criminal element. That this
Is too often the case, is not to be do.
MED Neither 40 believe that present
defects In our laws are wholly respon.
sible for the deplorable frequency OF
the disgraceful crime OF lynchlng in
TeNas-unless, possibly, 1t Ia failure
OF the laws against lynchlng--for We
an Know That tor the helnous crime of
rape, which leads to nearly all the
Iynchings there Is hardly possibility
OF the guilty wretch escaping the Sc
verest penalty of the law when brought
10 trial and proven guilty.
Our laws have been brought into
disreputG by two agencies, viz: In
Vulnerable delays and often L final fall
ure TO convict, especially for the crime
OF murder. on account OF Jenseless
technicallties. and the election of cor
rupt officials.
Right here viii say that I am not
IN FAVOR OF reforming TO such an ex-
tent ms would endanger the life or
liberty OF an Innocent person oy 10.
moving any of the necessary safe.
guards Tor the protection of the limo
cent. Many of the apparently un-
necessary delays are oCcasioned nv
unwise provisions OF the law for this
very purpose. Any system OF laws Is
dangerous where any reasonable OPP
P9rtunlty TO prove innocence ls de-
MED the accused.
In the way Of reform l would sug-
gest thht our criminal code OF pro-
ceuure be so revised that all mere
technicalities In case where the facts
clearly prove guilt be disregarded. we
nave very recently had examples IL
iusiratlng the evils OF the present sys-
TEN on this point Criminals proven
sullty OF atroeious crimes beyond the
SHADOW OF doubt have had the YER
act Of the trial courts set aside be.
cause OF ridiculous teunnlcalIty
Whieh had not the slightest bearing
upon the guilt or Innocence OF the ac-
AZ another measure of reform I am
strictly In favor OF the selection OF
i hvn ior the administration VI our
laws who are clean, oapAble. upriaht
and inoorruptlble. When a man oflers
hlmseif Tor a responsible official rosl-
u1n Iet his character and record be
suplected L. the closest SCRUTINY and n
ne lalis 10 stand the test reject him.
no matter what other consIder1t; ,os
nu AZ STAKE, or to what party lie he
iongs. Elect clean officials for the d.
n.hlstration OF our laws.
l am fully aware that this Ia more
ensily SAID than done, yet. an earnest
eitort IN this direction BY every vond
eltlzen In the state would ultimato,v
prlng about the desired result In I'M,
connection l viii add that our Jaws fnr
sne lrnpeaehment OF public officials for
INSTRUMENTATION or failure Of dn,v
should be revised and strictly en-
- IN reply TO your last question. he
nin sn tiiht newspaper would be sadly
ursieet N Us duty II II Called 10 ioln
~ resoiute and persistent effort Il,
secure better system and more aetis.
,aetory administration OF our nriminai
Tvs. me press Is the mould ar Of n,,h.
NC opinion, and In order to s,iennss.
WY ihhusurate q reform IL IL uecaa.
,,s 10 create an overwhelming sem
nen' IN It's favor, Whom this il
uuhe me work Is accomplisheA ,ra
nus emu the News heartily iolna the
1szette In It's commendabie effort fnr
'''0'"'' II, h.. CONNIE,
Editor Blum Views.
The nridaeport Herald.
Editor as,a,,. Bridgeport. Dec. Q.
Inc efforts Of the Gazette in oxoo..