The Van Buren press., 1897-01-02
A TaIk win President Wood.

From the Little Rock Gazette Dec %.
Lat night two unusually good look
ing, middle aged well gf0omed men,
for and at peace with the world and
mankind in general. were seated in the
Capital hotel LOBBY. with their chairs
tipped back against the radiator. when
representative Of The Gazette IN
terrupted their after supper Haganas.
My name is Wood, yes sir. Geo. r.
Wood, said one Of them In answer to
the reporter, and I have the honor Of
being president of the 5heriffs Asso-
citation. This ia Mr.. W. B. Pape,
sheriff elect Of our county. turning to
his companion. and you know / am
now out Of Office. -
It's pretty difficult to sit down off :
hand this way, said Mr.. Wood, land
tell You Of what benefit the association
il, or what it has accomplished, ,
although I know the results are salts
factory. Our object il two fold. first a
better enforcement Of the criminal laws
Of the state, and second, social, getting
acquainted with each other personally
You know how that IL. One can work
with or for another better, and with
more spirit. If you know him person
ally, know what kind Of man ne is q,
and how he does business. / refer now
to the apprehension of criminals for
each other. There are many things we
can accomplish by unanimity of
action that would benefit the state
There should be the same fees In each
county. The circuit judges have
different ideas. and some pay for one
thing that another will strike out, and
there should also be "a
IAN exchange list Of criminals
wanted. interjected Sheriff Paps.
Exactly, continued Mr.. Wood
"a list Of this kind would effect
excellent results in running criminals
TO cover. Then there should be an
understanding about the charges of
returning prisoners so that no question
Of difference would ever arise.
The house Of correction, or reform
school, for juvenile offenders / am
certainly in favor Of, and our associates
will no doubt be heard on the subject
A youngster is ruined for life by term
among hardened convicts, and comes
out with his head full Of the feats of
thieves, burglars and thugs, knows
more card tricks than a magician, and
is soon regularly on the road. If we
had the reform school his first offense
term Of year OF two would result In
teaching him a trade, and when the
doors opened for him he would be in
shape and condition 10 take care of
himself and become a good and useful
citizen.
Il want TO add my approval to the
proposition for the state to build rail
roads with the cOnyicts, assist outside
companys or do something to relieve the
people from the present burdensome
railroad conditions. The Little Rock
board Of trade il to be congratulated on
the work it is doing and the character
Of its working committees.
I'm regard TO holding sheriff.
responsible on their bonds for lynchings
as Il proposed in some Of the states,
would be opposed to such measure.
We have never had a lynching in Craw
ford county. and the sheriffs every
whore generally endeavor TO perform
their full duty, and ii would be unjust
10 put a danger of this kind upon them.
/ It Il not talked about in Arkansas and
would have no chance Of becoming a
law Two legal executions was or
{ record last year. Our people are
prosperous and there Is but little crime
in our county, the great majority of the
citizens being quiet and law abiding.