The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-09-07

THE Law SHOULD BE CHANGED.

Now that the law mas taken its
course in the Black case, there are a
few things that we have for various
reasons refrained from saying in the
past, but we do not think that they
would be inopportune at the present
time, while the whole affair is fresh
in the minds of every one.
The duties and responsibilities of a
newspaper during a period when the
public mind is unsettled and excited
are very great and the most extreme
caution must be used not to allow any
semblance of justification to creep
into its columns, for any illegal act
done; and on the contrary to urge in the
strongest terms the upholding of the
majesty of the law, regardless of sue
eeeding circumstances. This has
been our course from the start to the
finish in the Black case. Last spring
when the negro Harris was lynched
from Bel Air Jail, the act was condemn
in no uncertain terms. The law must
be up held if we propose to continue a
civilized nation and through the
public press the people have the right
to demand that law and justice shall
be impartially administered.
But to come to the point. The case
in question is not one that we as a
civilized people can point to with
pride and say that justice was both
swift and sure. 1t was sure enough,
but as one-half Of any punishment is
the promptness with which it is ad-
ministered, it is apparent that Black
only received that amount of his just
deserts. 1t is an outrage on the name
of justice to think that a scoundrel
like this negro was, and against whom
the undoubted evidence of guilt from
the start existed that he should have
been allowed to live, more than six
months after the crime was commit
ted. II there had been the slightest
doubt about his guilt he should have
been allowed six years if it were
necessary to prove his innocence, but
with the evidence that confronted
him, the negro should long ago have
been executed and the event forgotten.
We do not try to lay this blame at
the door of those officials who were
charged with the enforcement of the
law, but rather at the law itself. 1t
was an unfortunate combination of
circumstances by which the swiftness
of justice was thwarted at every move
and in order to avoid any legal en-
tanglement the leaden steps of the
regular routine were allowed to be
taken and the result could not have
been otherwise. Indeed had the at
torney who defended the negro so
chosen, the case would still be drag
ging in the Court of Appeals.
Where the blame should be placed
is the law itself. The crimes with
which these two negroes were charged
were the most abhorrent known
to criminal jurisprudence. They are
repulsive to the last degree and the
guilty parties without exception re-
ceive the utmost contempt for their
violating Gods highest law. Public
opinion with one accord feels that the
criminal should be hustled off of this
earth in the quickest manner possible
and as the nearest tree and most con-
venient pillow line seems the most
practical solution, lynching almost
universally follows. In that particu-
lar this crime stands most unique, for
no matter how vile murder might
be committed the necessity Of guard
ing against lynchipg is one of the most
remote thoughts of those who have
the culprit In charge.
This being the universal sentiment
of every man, for no matter whether
the crime be committed in cultured
Massachusetts, or civilized Ohio, lynch
ing or strong attempts to override the
law universally follow, it seems but
right that our Legislature should pass
a law which would fit the case instead
of allowing the old regime of affairs to
continue.
Proper legislation could be easily
effected whereby it would be the
duty of the States Attorney as soon
as the crime is committed to take i'm
mediate steps to investigate the affair
with jury similar to that of cor
oner's inquest. This body of men
could easily determine against whom
the strongest suspicion of guilt point
ed and on their recommendation the
Court should be compelled to imme
diately empanel a special jury to try
the case. If their verdict should be
guilty and the Court mete out the
punishment of death, the Governor
should then be required to fix an early
day for the execution. Should points
arise which are proper to be passed
upon by the Court of Appeals they
'sbonId be made. to convene q special