The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-03-06

on the books for nearly a century.
we're co3led from the laws OF the old
Roman empire. Time was In Rome
when the ohenses not punishable by
death we're fewer than those that we're.
In countries dominated by the military
life Is yet held cheap. and oiienses
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 II Is
possible Tor a Judge In a United States
court 70 innlct have for many years
been dlspr0portloned 20 the maximum
power Of the state courts. For In
stance: a civilian or a member Of the
United States army who strikes or
physically assaults an officer Of the
United States may be hanged. pro-
yided that the offioer Is In commission
and 70 uniform. a man who assaults
The governor OF great state Is guilty
Of an ohense measured only by the
physical damage caused. and can be
aned 90 imprisoned. FOR no more nor
longer. all things considered. than n
the object Of his violence we're 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
TO the times. and the final passage OF
hIs house BIZ by the senate recently
signalized q victory that was only
gained By persistency Under the act
AS reconstructed there viii be but eve
capital o1onses known 20 the federal
law. These are murder on a 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 o1enses on the statute books
most Of which. Il should be said. ace
dead letters. and which are rejected
By the courts are:
Being accessory before the fact ts
piracy.
Being accessory after the fact 10
m act Of piracy.
Aiding or abetting by advice or ooun-
eel or command an act OF robbery.
murder or other piracy.
knowingly concealing the fruits Of
piracy. or assisting In the escape
from arrest q the perpetrator OF an &C,
n 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 70 or engaging In rebellion
against the government
Aiding. ahciiing. etc. 70 commit
murder or piracy on the high seas By
The owner.
Destruction Of vessel on the high
seas by other than the owner.
The corrupt casting away OF YES
eel on the high seas by the owner.
Laying violent hands by seamen uD-
on the commander Of a vessel 10 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.
Forcihly combining a negro on a vcs.
sci with intent Of making him slave.
Landing from a vessel and selElng q
negro with attempt TO enslave him.
Malicious burning OF a fort or dock
yard.
Burning a vessel OF war.
Rescue by force OF persons found
guilty OF capital crimes against the
United States.
Disobeylng or striking a superior Of
hcer In the army or navy.
sleeping on posts Of sentry.
Refusal or failure to resist the enemy
I In the army or navy.
wllfully causing a false alarm ol
military attack.
Mutlnous conduct In presence OF IN,
enemy.
Forcibly compelling an oflcer 10 sur
render.
Disclosing the watchword.
Relieving the enemy with money
valuables or supplies.
Deseriion from army or navy In
/ time OF war.
Aiding others to desert In time o.
war.
Correspondence with the enemy.
An equal number Of ofienses agains
the discipline Of the navy are in N,
books These are all struck out b.
the Curtis bill. In time OF war mar
tial law asserts itself. and the militarl
10 a Jaw unto itself