The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-09-20
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1901
SPECIAL LEGISLATION,

Almost every newspaper in the lane
has taken up the discussion which
the assassination of President McKin
ley has provoked relative to the en-
actment of special legislation for the
punishment of those who kill OF as
sault the president of the United
States, the object being, of course, to
lessen the likelihood of such assaults.
that kind, is divided. While some
papers, and they are not of the vel
low, sensational variety, either, are
urgent in their insistence for legisla-
ton along those lines, others are op-
posed, although recognizing the dan
ger which anarchy has grown to be
in this country as well as in other
civilized nations Those opposing the
demand for legislation of that kind
base their opposition on constitutional,
and some on Humanitarian grounds and
say the remedy lies in a change of
the immigration laws by which en-
trance into the country by those of
anarchistic belief from other lands
would be made so difficult as to
amount to a practical im~possibility.
While the demands of some of the
newspapers for the adoption of laws
providing barbarous and excessively
cruel punishment for all who dare
make an assault on the person of the
president of the United States should
not receive countenance, still it seems
that wisdom and due regard for the
safety of the government and those
representing it, call for some legal
provisions along the line demanded by
the more conservative of those advo-
eating special legislation. The pres
ident in his official capacity must be
regarded in an impersonal light. He
stands not as a mere Individual, but
as the acknowledged and lawful head
of the nation and as such should be
hedged by every possible measure of
safety as far as his person is con
cerned. An assault on him with intent
to commit murder is not merely an at
tempt upon the man, but is directly
aimed at the government which he
represents. Czolgosz did not shoot
William Mckinley because he was
William Mckinley. When he fired the
fatal shots it was at the president
of the nation and fired them because
he was the president, the active head
and all who believe as he believes de-
spise and hate. 1t was because of
mis- official position that William Nc
kinley was coWardly murdered and
it is because he held that position
that his invalid wife is now a, widow
and deprived of the comfort and sup
port of him who was her strength and
protection
An assault upon the president is a
more serious matter and fruitful of
results far more important than an
assault upon a private citizen or offic-
ial occupying any other position. 1t
is a blow at the nation and the gov
eminent by which the nation is ruled,
For that reason, if it can be done con-
stitutionally, specialization of legisla-
ton should not only be regarded as
sommendable and right, but as a
necessity demanded by %exigency. The
suggestion of leniency in dealing
with anarchists is out OF place. Tney
are not entitled to leniency. Leniency
by them is regarded as license in
spired by fear. In the opinion of en-
inent lawyers anarchy is reasonable
and can be made punishable as such.
To understand how such a conclusion
can be arrived at is after all not a
very difficult problem. Anarchy is op-
position to all recognized modes of
government and those who accept it's
teachings and advocate it's practice
are plotting against the government
of whatever land they may be in. 1t
is true that treason in this country as
interpreted by the constitution is
comprised within a small area, and
because of the limitations fixed pun
ishment of what in essence and fact
is treason of the highest degree is
not always possible. By the adoption
of other amendments the constitution
has in some respects been changed
and no longer is the finished docu-
ment left by those who framed and
adopted it. By the very provisions for
which the trainers made adj
was recorded by them that
The future might involve questions
md bring forth issues not possible to
be forseen and which would make nee