The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-09-11
MERCY AND JUSTICE.

| Judge Charles Smith of the Superior
| Court Tuesday morning appointed a
! commission consisting of Attorneys f.
Whitford, Geo. B. Hudnall and VIM. r.
Foley of the local bar, 70 confer with
! the court in cases of poor and friendIess
/ criminals who plead guilty, with the
! view of bringing about better and
more humane system of administering
| Inclination to reform. We reproduce
/ the following statement, published in
! the Leader Thursday morning, which
/ shows the motives impelling Judge
/ Smith to take this important step:
| Il have long felt that our treatment
J of culprits intermediate their arrest and
trial is unwise and really inhumane
! when they are unable to get bail, which
they are poor. The purpose of punish
ment is by all conceded largely to be
reformation of the offender.
Now, the golden day for his repent
ance and reformation IS that following
his arrest and before trial. He is then
in frame to be reached, brought to
repentance and confession, the only
path to reformation. If he pleads not
guilty and stands trial, he, if guilty, as
in NY Judgment seven out of eight that
are brought to trial are, adds perjury in
almost every instance to the crime for
which he is on trial, doubles his guilt,
and of course callouses his conscience.
Nine-tenths of the chance for reform
alton is now gone. Time has run, the
lashirss of remorse are less felt, and
the heart is hardened by the additional
sin of perjury. But at this point the
state, # tue convict is sent to prison,
first picks him up with effort of his
reformation, chaplain is provided and
plenty else looking toword his moral
and religious welfare.
"NOw, under our system, during the
time between the arrest and trial, the
culprit's day of grace, not only is lie
neglected, but worse, he is placed,
whether old or young, tender or hard
ened, in pen with all kinds of fellows,
from the drunk and disorderly' to the
curderer, where tie moral atmosphere
is thick with miasm, and every intiu-
ence is against the frame of mind that
might lead to repentance, confession
and reform. | hope TO see this correct
cd in the not too distant future with us.
The thoughts above expressed have
led me to feel that something should be
done looking systematically toward
helping these men to moral strength to
coniess-plead guilty, save the county a
world of expense, and, what is infinitely
more. save a soul from death | think
| can recall one trial in the county that
could not have cost less than &. 500.
There seems to be nobody else to give
this matter attention, and | have de-
| clded to take 1t upon myself to do SO.
| think premium should be placed
upon pleading guilty; except in case OF
the lighter crimes it ought, in my judg-
ment, to cut off one half the punish
ment. | am in no case, however, in
favor Of making the punishment nom
inal. 1t is wrong to the offender.
Becoming, as | do. acquainted person
ally and interested in such persons as
plead guilty and cast themselves upon
the mercy of the court,I find am I'M
der some suspicion in some quarters of
being over lep1eut. wish TO avoid the
appearance ofeviI, and hence the com.
mission annointod nv mo IT the OMEN
inc of the term. It will be the duty Of
those mon carefuIrv to advise them-
solves Inv seoking riuht Of all rar.,es
those interested in the nrosecu,ion as
we'll rs those interested IN the prisoner
Question of decree of nuuislment and