The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-01
MAY ABOLISH THE COURT
Kangaroo Tribunal Likely to Be
Wiped Out of Existence.
IT PROVED TOO STRONG
Resented an Attack Upon Its Dignity
and Punished the Offsnder-Shsr-
III Conley Has the Court
Badly Frightened

Because of the too severe kangarooing
of NJ G. Fisher the kangaroo court of the
county of Deer Lodge may be abolished.
Sheriff Jack Conley. who is a sort of a
car of the domain IN which the court is
located. is considering the issuance of an
ukase suppressing the institution.
Il don't want to do anything RASH"
said he last night, but if they cannot run
the court without beating man up like
they did they'll have to quit"
The kangaroo court is not authorized by
any statute, nor is it recognized by men,
beers of the bar. unless these members
happen to be in jail Nevertheless, it is a
usually just and fairly administered trib-
unal, while its DEGREES are based on the
theory of improving manners and NOR
ais.
Everybody who has ever been in jail
and some who never have had that ex-
perience, know what a kangaroo court is.
As considerable portion of the people of
Anaconda are unacquainted with the in
terror of jails, it may be stated that
kangaroo court is a mill of justice which
grinds out its daily grist in a jail
From among the prisoners in the Jail
the county Jail, as the city Jail has only
transient lodgers--a judge, sheriff and
such other officers as the prisoners deem
necessary are chosen. The court estab-
fishes certain rules and regulations These
concern the keeping of the jail Personal
cleanliness is demanded, the keeping of
cells neat and clean and OF maintaining
the corridor in like condition are matters
that are insisted upon. Bullying and i'm
posing on the weak are forbidden. A
careful regard for the rights, privileges
and feelings of fellow prisoners is ex-
acted.
In brief, the mission of the kangaroo
court in Jail is exactly the mission OF fine
duly authorized courts in the free world
Men who delight in setting at defiance
the laws of state and of society who
break written laws chiefly for the pure
pleasure there is in the breaking are
among the 'staunchest upholders of the
kangaroo court in jail. They resent the
application of the laws made for the pro-
lection of society at large, but they have
a wholesome admiration for and apprecia-
ton of the unwritten laws made for the
well-being of prison society.
Because of this prison officials tolerate
the existence of the kangaroo courts and
sometimes even encourage them. The
punishment usually melted out to Offend
ers against the rules of the kangaroo
court are sometimes painful but rarely
severe Offenders are fined the money GO
ing into the common tobacco fund, or are
"cobbed' or bumped or spanked Cob
bling. humping and spanking are punish
ments administered TO some portion of
ones anatomy.
In the case of Fisher the court went
further than this. and hence Judge James
McHugh and Sheriff Jack Harris may find
themselves no longer court officers There
was an excuse for the court, however.
1t Is alleged by the prisoners that Fish
er. who is noisy colored man awaiting
tria for beating May Davis, also colored,
over the head with revolver, entered the
jail in defiant manner insulted the pris-
oners, openly defed the regulations of the
kangaroo court and otherwise made a
nuisance of himself. According he was
fined his 81. 20 and compelled to sign the
money over After he had done so he
did an unkangaroolke thing in "saueal-
ing to the officers. His punishment fol-
lowed. the full court taking hand
1t would be impossible for the skin
about Fishers eyes to turn blacker than
it was already SO 1t presents variegated
appearance. In addition the lid of the
eye was dropping like that of a sick
chicken and gaping wound in the cheek
shone red against the black background
Punishment had not been spared.
The members of the court are promis-
ing to be good in future and not to pun
ish so severely, but Sheriff Conley is in
doubt and the ukase is trembling in his
hand.