The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1895-07-24
FAIRNESS TO THE ACCUSED.

There is, without question, in many
instances too much leniency shown by
courts to men convicted of crime on the
Pacific coast; but the press of the coast
will never be guilty of too much fairness
toward men accused of crime and not
vet convicted. From the time of the
arrest of Durrant in San Francisco up to
the present time the press have left un-
improved no opportunity to prejudice
and embitter the public against him.
False and exaggerated reports concern
ing the testimony have been published
double loaded and spread broadcast
among the people from whom his judges
are to be selected; unnecessary and mis-
leading statements concerning his ap-
pearance and conduct are published /;
and, not least among the unfair repre-
sentations, are the pictures of him which
are printed; if they are as correct like
nesses of him as those often published
of prominent people, the publishers
should be punished on account of these
for criminal libel.
The press dispatches say: ellis
closely cropped hair gives him criminal
appearance, and his clean shaved lips
reveal the coarse sensuality of his
mouth and make other suggestions as
to his personal appearance, which are
for the purpose of preiudIcing those who
read them. The hired detectives are
hand to hand with the press, the latter
to create as much sensation as possible
and thereby enrich the corporations
which publish them, and the former to
advertise their business and secure the
rewards; methods are chosen regardless
of truth, honesty or justice.
We are reminded by the present con-
duct of the San Francisco press of the
history of the arrest of Hale, Barnard
and others in Gillian county some years
ago, for the robbery of the Roslyn bank
by the alleged Detective Sullivan. Or
egon's leading journal lauded the al
legged detectives, declared that the ar
rested were guilty beyonda peradventure
of doubt and proceeded to prejudge
the case and prepare the public to
convict. The services thus rendered
had its effect and the accused barely
escaped, although the evidence was
weak; afterwards it was learned for 8
certainty that the accused were wholly
innocent.
This same paper now follows the same
course in he Durrant case. Comment
ing upon the defendants application for
a change of venue it says: ''Bv these
means Creferriug to the reading of the
afidavits filed in support of the applica-
tiOn) it is proposed to wear out the
patience OF the courts and the public and
finally to escape justice through its sheer
weariness:'' The fact is defendants
counsel advised the court of the time it
would require to read the affidavits and
asked to have the reading passed by and
stated that the motion was made antic-
ipating the difficulty in obtaining a fair
jury. The course pursued is proper and
usual under such circumstances the
counsel were compelled by the Judge to
read the affidavits. OF course, accord
ing to this style of journalism, the whole
trial is tto escape JUSTICE" in other
words, that justice be done, do away with
the trial and hang the accused. A man
however innocent is in imminent danger
when he gets the modern paid detectives
and these unfair journals after him, and
if he proves his innocence, a thing nc
man should be required to do, because
the law presumes him to be, he is for
tunate. Justice should be fair above all
things else; it too often stoops to use
the same methods adopted by the really
guilty.
Durrant, like every other accused
should have a fair trial; if the San
Francisco dailies have any influence he
will not get it in that city.