The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-28
STATES LEGAL HANGINGS
PROGRESS OF WAVE OF LAWLEss-
NESS STAYED BY COURTS.
Attorney General Taylor Gives the
Credit to the Supreme Tri-
bunal of Indiana.

ITO our Supreme Court belongs very
largely the credit for staying the progress
of the wave of lawlessness that was sweep
ing over Indiana up to less than a year
ago." declared Attorney General Taylor
yesterday.
And by lawlessness," he continued 81
mean lynchings and whitecapings, as well
as other kinds of crime and criminality.
Why. just recall the literal tidal wave of
lynchings of the past few years. Versailles.
Scottsburg. BoonvilIe and Terre Haute!
What record Of infamy and shame! The
reason for it was there had not been enough
hangings in Indiana-that is, the law had
not been enforced stri tly enough. But
when the Supreme Court took fearless
stand in the Keith and Rinkard cases,
brushing aside all legal technicalities and
keeping their natural human sympathy
subservient to the best interests of society,
don't you see what a change there WASP"
1T is my firm belief" interrupted Deputy
Attorney General Hadley, that if it had
not been for the terrible punishment that
was legally meted out to Joseph d. Keith
and John Rinkard, Buck Wheeler. the
brutal murderer, who committed one of the
most awful crimes in the history of the
how was it with Wheeler? OF course. pub
lie excitement ran high at the time of his
arrest and also of his trial: but the public
felt that the law would do justice in the
case and they allowed the law to take its
course. Within six weeks after Wheeler
committed his crime he was under SEN
tence of death and next Friday June s.
less than year after the crime he will pay
fH.,a 81,
better that is than a lynching which would
bring disgrace upon the name of the Slater
The Supreme Court of Indiana is a great
court" continued Mr.. Taylor. land no
greater court ever sat on the highest bench
OF this State. 1t is true that at different
times there have been very great Judges
in the Supreme Court, but there have at
the same time been some that were not
strong. The present court however. is q
singularly level body of judges All of them
are strong, capable jurists-admittedIy so
and the decisions of our Supreme Court
rank right UP abreast of the decisions of
the foremost tribunals OF the country.
LEGAL TECHNICALITIES
Speaking about crimes and judicial de-
cisions in reference to them" said MIR
Taylor. during a period in the States his
tory beginning about thirty years ago and
continuing to about fifteen years ago. legal
technicalites were paid great heed by the
Supreme Court, especially technicalities
that favored persons accused of crime.
Law points that had little substantial
virtue in them frequently reversed cases
and gave criminals loopholes of escape.
The result was that cases were always APP
| pealed to the higher court in the expecta-
| ton OF having them reversed on sheer tech
nicalities. But we now have a court that
| looks with little favor upon legal subter-
fuge and splitting Of hairs.
Il have a great deal Of feeling on the
subject Of crime" declared Mr.. Taylor
with added emphasis. and 1 am glad TO
see the time at hand when every brutal
murderer, particularly the cowardly devils
that kill their wives and swsethearts. shall
terrible punishment The Supreme Court
rapidly as possible. and there is already a
when justice moves with certainty and
but mob law will give way 10 the orderly
Lynch law originated in the feeling that
| that justice was dilatOry
Il could wish 10 leave no better legacy
as chief law officer OF this State than TO
| have assisted in establishing a sentiment
I'm Indiana that the man who commits a de-
liberate murder or other willfu crime is 10
suffer the extreme penalty OF the law. and