The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-06
SPEEDY JUSTICE.

All that those charged with the ad-
ministration of justice can do to inculcate
respect for the Law is To insure the prompt
| trial of criminals and the equally prompt
execution ofthe sentence Of the court what
ever that may be. The reasonable delay
between the Commission OF an offcnse and
the trial of the offender which the ordinary
forms OF law provide is for the purpose Of
eliminating whateverthere may be ofpa ssion
in the minds of the community. This is in
harmony with the dictates of humanity and
with the theory of perfect justice. Unrea-
sonable procrastination, however, has ten
dency to irritate. the public mind and fur
nishes an excuse to the less aw-abiding
element to proceed to violence and bring
reproach upon the State. A great many OF
the lynchings that have taken place have
been iEstigated by just this feeling.
1t is highly commepdabie, therefore, that
States Attorney Posey of Charles county,
Nd, is using his influence to secure
special session OF the county court for
the trial of George Matthews, who Is ac-
cused of the murder of James Irwin. Ex-
periepce has shown that the people. or at
least a part of the people of that county, are
rather impatient OF the methodical progress
of justice, and In order to allay this FESTIVE
ness the States attorney proposes to bring
tue matter to as speedy termination as
is consistent. with the rights OF the pris-
oDer. The special session Of tie court sug-
gested by MFR. Posey viii entail little, il
any, additional expense upon the tax
payers OF Charles county. In laying stress
upon this point lie evidently had in mind
the generally accepted belief that recent
lyDching in the county was the result of
involve the county in the costs of trial
1t is to lie toped that the proper author-
ties viii appreciate the wisdom of the
State attorneys advice. The evidence
against Matthews is believed to lie go con-
elusive as to his guilt that the trial will
be terminated within q reasonably short
period, and IL a conviction is obtained
punishment can follow swiftly. In this
way the substantial rights of the prisoner
win have been conserved and justice and
public sentiment satisfied.
POLICEMAN'S CLUB AND PISTOL.
Within the past few days member of
the New York police force committed an
unjustifiable assault, which has resulted
victim is said to have been sober, hard
working young mechanic. He was stand
ing on a corner and was ortle red by the
policeman to move on. He did not move
on, but stepped into a saloon, from which
place he was dragged by the officer, who
dealt him two hard blows on the head
with his baton. The autopsy disclosed
that death resulted from these blows.
The brutality of the policeman has aroused
universal indignation in the metropolis and
the press of the city Is unanimous in de-
handing not only the dismissal of the Of
ficer from the force, but his prosecution
Oh the charge of murder.
In the very nature OF things great
deal of latitude is given to the judgment
and discretion of a policeman. 1t Is not |
possible to lay down rules for his conduct |
under all Giro umstances with absolute |
exactness. OF course he is justified TO take |
no chances in dealing with desperate erimi- |
pals. but he should be able to discriminate |
Is to when force Is to be applied and when |
lot. III the case referred to. for instance, |
there was no earthly excuse for the officer /
% proceed to violence, and the assault |
must be assumed to have had its motive /
either in naturally vicious and brutal /
or-what perhaps is more
fkeiy-in the overweening sense OF i'm
portance consequent upon the mans in
with blue coat, brass buttons, and
Unfortunately New York is not the only
ity where men Of this caliber occasionally
ipd their way to the police force. 1t is
ssensiai, therefore; thatwhenevera proper
opportunity offers, the officers should be |
ectured by their superirs upon the ncces-
fly OF guarding their temper and to make
10 use OF baton on pistolexcept in extreme
asses when either there is danger OF |
desperate crininars escape, or
vhen their own nves are In danger from
be actions Of the person whsse arrest they
10 trying to effect Any other use Of
lsaer weapoa xkCazd is6i6ject the officer 10
oodign puziShnam&.