Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-01-03
KIDNAPPING.
Louisville Dispatch.

Louisville Dispatch
The Cudahy kidnapping case has brought
out the fact that there are no adequate
laws in any of the States dealing with this
species of crime. 1t seems that the statutes
only provide for the punishment of per-
sons who seize children and take them to
another State. 1t is a deplorable fact that
if the kidnapers of young Cudahy are cap
tured, if they can be punished at all, 1t
must be on the charge of blackmail or con-
spiracy to defraud. The Legislatures now
in session have taken warning from this
case and are endeavoring to make the
punishment fit the crime, and in 30 doing
find themselves face to face with a most
serious problem.
The Illinois Legislature thought it had
hit upon the best possible remedy in an
act providing for the capital punishment
of kidnapers, but Senator Hosr in letter
to this body has shown that such step
might be fraught with the most serious
consequences. He argues that no matter
how severe the penalty, there are desper-
ate men who would not be controlled by
it, and, rather than have the child as evil
dence against them it would be murdered
as was likely the fate of Charley Ross'
Only few days before sending the warn
ing Senator Hoar introduced in the United
States Senate bill providing for the capt.
tai punishment of train robbers. He says
the crime of robbing train is not as grave
as that of stealing child for ransom, but
it is one in which the death penalty can
be inflicted upon the guilty without en-
daagering the lives of innocent persons.
There is no question that the punish
ment of kidnapers is one of the most serl-
GUS problems before the lawmakers of the
country at the present time. The success
of the Cudahy robbers will encourage
others to make similar attempts, as 1t has,
in fact, already done, and unless criminals
know they will be severely dealt with, the
children of wealthy parents are not SAFE
1t is impossible TO keep constant watch
on the little ones. In fact, it is impossible
to find persons with whom to entrust
them. The keepers would certainly be in
a position to cooperate with others, could
plot to have their charges stolen, and at
the same time be in position to throw oil
suspicion. But no matter how wealthy a
man may be, and no matter how faithful
the little ones guard might be, it would
be impossible to keep constant watch.
Children must Lave freedom, and if it is
not allowed them, they will take it. They
will steal away from their protector, and
if kldnapers are after them, this would be
the time to get away with their human
booty. Children may be kept behini bars
at night, as is done by wealthy New York
man, and be stolen from the yard the next
morning. Only the most desperate men
will attempt to kidnap child, and nc
watch could long interfere with their
plans.
The only remedy is in the law. The
punishment must not be too severe, as
Senator Hoar says, but it must not be toe
light. In fact, the best way to cope with
such criminals would be through the
speedy execution of what laws there may
he governing such cases. Mr.. Cudahy,
in offering the $25, 900 reward for the ar
rest and conviction of the men who kid
mapped his son, is doing his country
great service. He says he is determined
that they shall be brought to justice if he
has 10 double the amount and secure
the services of all the detectives in the
country. He is in the position of al
fathers now, for he has his boy, but he
realizes the gravity of the crime, and FROM
the father looking fer his child he has
come to be the man who is willing tC
spend $50, 900 more for the protection o.
other homes. 3D. If $4,000 is not sufficient
sum to effect the capture of the guilty il
this case, the wealthy men of the country
should, see 10 it that the amount i:
doubled, quadrupled; in fact, they should
be caught if it takes S500,OOO to do it
They must be made examples of, and thai
as soon as possible. There is no question
as to what a jury could do with such men
If there is any law that can be construed
into touching on the case, they will be
convicted. 1t would be impossible for the
Judge to make his instructions so a con
vctlon could not be had, and if the higher
courts reversed the verdict another jury
would repeat the conviction.
kidnapping is a crime that admits of nc
procrastlnation on the part of police Off
GERS, judge or jury.