The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-24

merits. but is dismissed because of some
technicalily. This law was passed Tor
the purpose OF reaching the case OF Sal
yador Picani the Pierce county murderer.
and now Pfcani Is a free man. though
there are several persons in this city who
have In their possession printed invita-
lions on small squares OF black card
board ito attend the execution. which
Will occur on Friday. July !, 1892, in the
Pierce county Jail yard at Tacoma,
Wash" Picani had been tried for
the murder OF a countryman. found
guilty and sentenced 10 be hanged.
He gave notice Of appeal TO the supreme
court, prepared his statement Of facts
and In some manner secured the courts
signature to 1t without notifying the
states counsel. AS a result, the state
asked for and secured the dismissal Of
the appeal by the supreme court. Il was
claimed that Picani should never have
been convicted. and Pierce county par
ties who interested themselves In his be-
half secured the passage of the second
appeal bill. Picani was thus enabled 10
get his case before the supreme court
on its merits. and was set free, but 20
meet this single case the already burden
some delays allowed by the law were ag-
grayated as applied TO all other cases.
Two Good Laws Passed.
The passing by the present legislature
OF the law reducing the time In which 70
give notice OF appeal from one year TO
six months will DO much towards caus-
ing the wheels OF justice TO move more
rapidly. and the wlpIng out OF the sec
ond appeal law will cure an evil which
aided the criminal and made a victory
won by the state Oh a technicaIity IN the
first appeal a piece Of frivclity, as the
defense could necessarily permit error 10
creep into the case on the first appeal. and
then secure a second.
Further Room for Reform.
There could be some further legislation
IN this line, members OF the legal fra
ternlty say. which would rid the coun-
" jail ~ many OF the desperate class
and place them behind the bars a. the
state peuitentiary, or send them To the
gallows. II IS the present practice OF
the supreme court 20 look upon criminal
cases the same as cIvH cases, ana not
give them pre- a8eDce over the latter
The passage Of a law instructing the su-
prenle court, as soon as record IN 2
criminal case IS filed win the supreme
court clerk. 10 meet within few days
and assign the cause for hearing IN
stead a. waiting for weeks. and perhaps
months for the regular term for assign
ing causes. when the criminal case fans
20 receive an advanced place on ire trial
calendar In his last report 20 the gov
recommended the enactment OF a law
- thai kind. and the present prose@ut-
ing attorney. Mr.. HASTE, faVors T. 80
perlor Judge Osborn "a % the opinion
mat "a addition 20 such law = biI
should ne passed which would compel
criminals % be sent 10 the p@1itentiary
" ale thetr aoaaalS are pending before
-. supreme court. some persons Judge
Osborn says are opposed 20 such a meas
u~e because they mink g would work
hardship on TIE defendants. This he
SAYS NAV Pc true in 4 few cases. bot
the average criminal has fair ard I'm
partial trfal and fuTfhernore. - ne
worst kind % q c,ravlr. IN many IN
stances.
Many Jail~ Are Insecure.
T. should further ~ taken into cors.4-
cration rhar many 0f the counties IN TIE
STATE have uot Eo-es quarters far the con-
eneruert Of n ts8 criminaL Snonomish
county has a r1cketv taN. from Thich
n ~ouvsrt acquainted vith Fas INSIDE q
haif toZen or more peus. an7 who has
CURED in thz. us1y 1sB breaks. "a recst
~ the1. have. can tu a LITTLE time make
RS escape a1f ktsap county Is "stf{t
f1-+Ner IN s~rears~ having *Geh a weak
structure -eat tt IS necessary "a bring
rs criminals "a ms county f0- safe
kar~s-r FsI-aaven 1as a pos1- S0r; - A
iRH ART lt was from there that Tom
As s1sE eSf-a r'-r4 - l>~t q PIT" aA 4i't9E
trial fcv shooting Peter Bt.hn a roiice-
MAJ
Pre vfou~ Attempted jail Brs,ahS-
WA-~ r is -skea 5a-o c00ssderat to1 t1at
-S.s eo4n-y has Always rad ~ waay deS-
rera.e ca1E.ccs c1 lss bands and <hsf
chere are fsw serious defects lH tae hlE
see~l cage sr wh.ch taey aye allowed 20
run about In l8leaass. ~ sonnet 5Ene~ seems
~srnArka-3e that II shoult remain For
Tom B}anck 20 lead TIE first successful
}a1 hr>ak ir ere history - tae Jan set
such = nevertheless a fact. May at
temps have oeea made hy ronvsrfs -
eSass tr3sn me tau. A11 eDce ov vw.cs