Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-13
Emergency Courts.

convention VIII soon be heiu III
South Carolina 10 revise and amend the
Constitution Of that State. and among
other changes suggested is one to create
an rmereencv Court-a court which can
be summoned instantly to deal win ac-
cpsea persons who would otherwise fan
into the hands OF Judge Lynch.
Laurie r. Izlar. ESQ OF Blackviile. Is
advocating this scheme. and he proposes
~ extend the jurisdiction Of the tIneT-
rencv Court TO "all crimes for which the
death penalty is inflicted lie wouiu
also give the Court of General sessions
concurrent Jurisdiction of such cr'mS'
his idea being. of course, that the Elmer
rencv Court would only be held TO Try
cases which could not be promptly tried
nv a regular court. The Charleston News
a,d Courier thinks that this ought 10
meet the requirements OF the SITUATION
exactly. "The special court would not
interfere with the regular court IN any
way. and would take its place only when
desirable and necessary and IL argues
that the mere fact of the existence OF
such a court, which would he available
for service at few hours notice, would
tend 10 stay the passions Of the people,
and that the prompt trial and punishment
NJ heinous crimes which II would afford
would soon restore the confidence and re-
spect OF the peopls generally in the courts
and induce in them literally more law
abiding and orderly disposition The
News and Courier thinks. however. That
ii would accomplish the still further Coca
result of serving also to deter the COM
mission OF crime. Ii says: when II has
once become well understood by the
criminal classes that there is court
which is always ready and equipped TO
try at once and prosecute at once crimes
Of violence, without leaving open a
chance OF evading its sentence after
conviction, II Is highly probable thar
the would-be criminal will be far less
ready to commit crime. A very few
examples of sure and swift justice
will make the fact Of change from the
old system public and impressive, and.
we believe, effective for Its purpose. The
experiment promises well, and is well
worth trying. That 1t should be tried is
beyond all question"
The problem that our South Carolina
friends aie trying to solve Is one OF vast
consequence to every Southern State. We
believe that ii is the general wish OF
our people to do away with lynchingS In
Virginia. certainly public sentiment jus
l,-pc It,f Cripaa and II
would not justify 1t for that il the fe-
male victim could otherwise be saved
from the tortures OF a cross-examination
as a witness in court.
But the great question IS, Would an
Emergency Court be a reliable instrument
Of justice? Would IL not DO hasty?
Would II not be Influenced by outside
clamor? Would IL represent the imparn-
atty, courage, calmness, and dignity that
are the attributes OF justice? We have
our doubts: but we should like to see
the plan tried.
Here in Virginia each county has a
county Judge and county courts are held
monthly, while there are special laws
authorizing the expediting Of criminal
trials, the summoning OF special grand
iuries, &c. Really il would seem that
we have gone almost as far In this di-
rection as we ought 10 20.
The popular ciamor is not so much now
because of the laws delay in the trial
courts as because of the numerous techni-
calities that counsel may avail them
selves of for appeal. and the double APP
peal that is allowed. And yet where
would you begin In looping off these
technicalities?
These are perplexing questions-ques-
tions that are stirring the public con-
science and demanding earnest treat
ment at the hands Of our legislators.