The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-22
CRY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE. sArraDAs, srIY u
4 PUBLIC xATTEx.

A PUBLIC MATTER.
II there IL a solitary instance In the
history Of the King county criminal
court fer the past two years where
Judge Jacobs has manifested an incfina-
ton TO punish any evil deer with sever
jty. no matter how outrageous hlE crime
or how black his record. II has escaped
the notice Of the Post.Inteillgeneer The
rule has been 10 infiict the iightest POS
sibie sentences; and it has already been
Shown that the court on several occa-
sions imposed penalties below the mini
mum. l. Judge Jacobs superior TO the
statutes OF the state that he should re-
gard them with such compiete indIffer-
ence. and make an well "a interpret his
own law In prescribing the exact meas
ure Of punishment for criminals. or
practically refuse 10 permit them 20 be
convicted at ALL
The post-fntelligencer yesterday
printed sample List Of cases In. the
superior court where largely through
the persistence and ensfgy Of the dis
triet attorney conviction had been se-
cured. They included about eli the burglary
eases on the calendar since October.
1887. and there was. besides, mention
Of several kindred cases. II Is an as
founding record. Out ~ forty eases the
maximum sentence was eighteen
months. and In the overwhelming ma
jurity one year or less was given.
Among these malefactors were many
who were professional criminals. and
others whose crimes were especially
fragrant and deliberate: yet too In
duigent court has So little con-
ceptson OF the nature OF his duty TO
society. and SO great contempt for an
enlightened pubic opinion. that they
are made TO reauite their crimes IN the
easiest manner that can be devised
short OF actual aeauittal
tits sober truth when the Pos,-Intei-
ligencer declares that the nialefaetars
Of this eity and county have come 10
look upon the ineumheney II Judge Ja-
cobs on the criminal bench as a rare
boon to them. The police, OF course.
are restraining influence, aud. despite
sad esubarrussnsents. are abs 10 main
tain n senhianee 81 public order; but 1t
l. true. nevertheless. that In the pre-
vension OK crimes az q certain Kind thy
never were 50 helpless. Confidence o.
orators and Knockout" men pursue
their wicked practices with nnexampled
holiness and frequent success. Woe BE-
tide the uniueky victim Who falls In
their predatory hands, That the open
ness and regularity Of their operations
has direct relation 10 the lax alusia-
tstratlon Of Justice in the superior court
the post-inseliigeneer does not hesitate
60 assert. 1t simply paints so the fesble
record Of punishment. and The growing
record of gross crime tn this county a.
support It's assertion.
II has heen suggested 10 the Posi.In-
taliizencer that sts rronsinsnt alver~
tlsesnent ~ Judge Jacobs non-feasance
will alarm persons who otherwise might
come 10 Seattle 10 trade. and especially
kiondlkers. 80 So gsess an extent thar
they viii stay away. The suggestion IL
ignohla and unworthy. The post-fn.el-
hgeaeer oonceiyes II 10 BE iss duty -
tell the truth about this nost grave
matter. whatever the threa,rnea conse-
Qnences 10 itself OF t. this community.
No one need he russhed wae will kNep
away from the hassnss Of these malefac-
tors. about which the Whole worla 3
entitled 10 be informed. snl we take
C that No person except the law
breaker desires that our visitors ana
guests shoals rot - protected tn she
fullest manner.
The observation-disclosures desires again 20
aeclare that Il does net accuse EaaEe
Jacobs az moral recreaacy 90 any kiaa.
IT'S aelinaasncses are all mental and
tempc-amentaL His eeaauc. % the
criminal eears is q rerroach to bis hong
and honorable public record in this state
ard ssrrtsosy. and a scandal 10 the god
name os this crder-laxins city ard
county.