New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17

fed But In criminal trials. where the liberty OF
a citizen and frequently even his life are in the
balance. there is no judicial mode or rectllylnS
any mistake save by means of a pardon from
the Crown a prerogative rarely employed the
concession of which has since the beginning OF
the present reign been vested in the hands OF lhe
Secretary of State for the Home Department for
the time being 1t is. therefore. of the utmost
importance that where human life ana inert!
are at stake not the lowest. but the highest form
Of ega. talent should be employed so that the
presiding Judge may have the assistance OF the
brightest luminares of the profession in dealing
with a case which, once decided from the hencn
untusty toward the unfortunate person Is TO all
ntents and purposes beyond the possibility OF
rectificatiOn.
IN THE INTEREST OF MORALITY.
Much diversity Of opinion prevails to the
policy Of hushing up scandals, and whereas
here in the United States and particularly in
New-York. there appears to he an impression
tina. publicity is the best safeguard Of publlc
morality. in the Cid World. where there IS 3"
much more submissveness and reverence on the
part of the masses for the classes that anything
calculated to impair the prestige OF the latter
in the eyes Of the people is held To constitute a
danger to society a whole, conceanent ana
oblivion are regarded as preferable In Europe
the people of the middle ard the lower grades or
society show such readiness and anxiety To
follow blindly in the lead of those whom they re-
gard their superiors in rank not alone in dress
manner and speech, but even in conduct that IL
is argued even by criminologists exercising
magisterial and judicial authority that any pun
lcity accorded to the misdeeds of a person of
rank and social position affects injuriously the
moral tone of the masses and becomes not only
cause but also an Indictment to crime.
1t is on the strength Of these arguments that
Sir George Lewis. and not only distinguished
lawyers like himself. but likewise the ofiiciais
ntrusted with the administration of justice and
even the royal arbters of the great world of
London, unite in an endeavOr TO hush up crime
TO an extent Of which the people in this country
have little conception. 1t is a member of the
aristocracy. the Hon. Hamilton Cuffe, younger
brother and heir TO the Earl Of Desart. who
holds the important office of Crown Prosecutor
This functionary is charged with the duty of de-
Gliding what shall be prosecuted in behalf
Of the peope-a duty analogous to that Of the
District Attorney Of New-York-and 1t depends
upon him to a great extent whether criminal
OF high degree escapes or receives the punish
ment Of his crime. In "A number OF instances
both during the tenure of Office of Mr.. Cufe. as
well under the regime of his predecessor SIT
Augustus Stephenson no proceedings for prose-
cuton have been instituted until the offender
was well beyond the reach of the authorities
and this practice is even carried to such point
that in some nota bic instances the police have
actually warned titled criminals that warrants
had been issued for their arrest. which would be
held back for twenty-four hours in order To en-
able TO get them out Of the country. Many
cases Of this kind could be cited. But 1t is only
fair TO add that in acting thus. the judicial. the
magstera and the police officials concerned are
prompted entirely by considerations of public
veal and morality and that not even the most
bitter opponents Of the system have ever i'm
puted to any of them dishonesty, corruption, or
even family considerations in the matter
VIOLATION OF THE RULE
It Is only now and again that the general
public becomes of the degree TO which
the practice Of hushing up crime Is carried
on owing the some indiscretion or violation Of
contract in connection with some particular
case. Thus few years ago London society was
cd Nv no IF he If If
its most eminent and fashionable ladies' phys-
clans on charge of forgery. During the pro-
ceedings which followed The fact brought
to light that Dr. Collins, who was at one time