The Red Cloud chief., 1897-03-05

etdtuteS OF the united states, AZ carried
on the books for nearly a century,
were copied from the laws OF the old
Roman empire. Time was In Rome
when the Offenses not punishable by
death we're fewer than those that were.
In countries dominated by the military
life Is yet held cheap, and offenses
that civilization now classes as mis-.
demeanors, or mere disturbances OF the
public or perchance individual, peace,
are by law made capital.
The penalties for crime that It Is
possible for a Judge In a United States
court to infict have for many years
been dispropOrtioned to the maximum
power OF the state courts. For in
stance: A civilian or q member OF the
United States army who strikes or
physically assaults an officer Of the
United States may be hanged, pro.
vided that the officer Is In commission
and In uniform. A man who assaults
the governor Of a great state Is guilty
Of an Ofense measured only by the
physical damage caused, and can be
hned or imprisoned. for no more nor
longer. all things considered. than II
the object Of his violence were plain
John Smith of Brown street. Con.
gresham Newton Curtis Of Ogdens.
burg. over four years ago. undertook
10, bring the Federal criminal code up
70 the times. and the final passage Of
his house bill by the senate recently
stxnalized a victory that was only
gained by persistency. Under the act
a. reconstructed there will be but Ave
capital offenses known to the federal
law. These are murder on q territory.
fort. magazine, shop or reservation
wherein the United States has technical
Jurisdiction; rape on the same; treason,
piracy and reasonable betrayal OF
trust In the army or navy. Among the
capital oifenses on the statute books,
most Of which, It should be said. are
dead letters. and which are rejected
BY the courts are:
Being accessory before the fact to
piracy.
Being accessory after the fact to
an act OF piracy.
Aiding or abettlng by advice or u
sci or command an act of robbery,
murder or other piracy.
Knowingly cOncealing the fruits of
a piracy, or assisting In the escape
rom arrest Of the perpetrator of an act
Of piracy, robbery or murder.
Having In possession the fruits of
piracy.
Treason, In levying war or adher-
Ing to the enemies. OF the government.
melting to or engaging In rebellion
against the government.
Aiding. abetting, ETC., to commit
murder or piracy on the high seas by
the owner.
Destruction Of a vessel on the high
seas by other than the owner.
The corrupt casting away Of a YES
sci on the high seas by the owner.
Laying violent hands by seamen up.
On the commander Of a vessel to pre-.
vent his defense Of the vessel.
Robbery on the high seas.
Robbery on shore by the crew Of a
pirate.
Murder. robbery or hostile act under
cover Of a foreign commission.
Forcibly combining q negro on a YES.
sci with intent Of making him q slave
Landing from a vessel and selling q
negro with attempt to enslave him.
. Malicious burning of a fort or a dock
yard.
Burning a vessel of war.
Rescue by force of persons found
guilty OF capital crimes against the
United States.
sDisobeying or striking a superior Of
icer In the army or navy.
Sleeping on posts Of sentry.
Refusal or failure to resist the enem,
In the army or navy.
Wilfully causing a false alarm O
military attack.
Mutinous conduct in presence OF tn
enemy.
Forcibly compelling an officer to sur
render.
Disclosing the watchword.
Relieving the enemy with money
valuables or supplies.
Desertion from army or navy |
time Of war.
Aiding others to desert In time Q
war.
Correspondence with the enemy.
An equal number Of oifenses again,
the discipline OF the navy are In tn
books. These are all struck out b
the Curtis bill. In time OF war maj
tial law asserts itself. and the militar
Is q law unto itself.
Only u slight Change.
"Spiffens has quit the photograph
business and Is now a florist" r,
marked McSwilligan.
"Oh, Well" replied Squildig, "it
not much Of a step from poses to p,
sies."-Pittsburg Chronlcle-Telegrap
Paper Floors.
The newest kind OF floor Is made
paper. which Is spread out on the su
face in the form OF q pasty mess, tn,