The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-19
Spirit of the Press.
INEQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW.
Norfolk Virginian- Pilot.

INEQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW.
Norfolk Virginian-Pi
Referring to the report of recent case
In this city in which its correspondent
said the defendant was acquitted partially
because Of his numerous and respectable
family connections" the Richmond Times
Dispatch says:
This Is indeed startling statement.
We know nothing about the merits or
dement's OF the case, but if the ac-
cused was guilty Of the crime with
which he was charged, how, in the
name OF justice. could he be acquitted
because of his fanny connections?
We hope that there is some mis-
take about this The law is no re-
fpecter OF persons and no respecter of
family connections. If person ac-
cused of crime is guilty. he ought TO
be convicted and punished, whether he
be pauper or prince, whether he be
a man of the slums or man of the
highest social position. So far from his
raising and social connections being a
plea III his favor, they should, in fact.
be SO much the more against him.
The theory OF the Times Dispatch is
quite sound. There should be absolute
equality before the law. but who is there
that doesn't know that there is nothing
OF the sort? We shall not undertake to
say whether or not the Times Dispatchs
correspondent was In error. We are go
ing to discuss the general practice, not a
specific case. But what, pray, was there
startling IN the correspondents state
ment? AS matter of fact doesn't the
Times Dispatch see the same thing happen
every day? Living In Richmond has it
rot yet heard the current report that the
investigation into notorious murder
mystery In the capital city was stopped
because of family connections and an
alleged scandal that lay at the bottom of
the tragedy? If our contemporary has
not. 1t should take the cotton out of its
ears.
We see nothing in the statement in ques-
ton that need startle the Times Dispatch
or anybody else The criminal in fustian
is sent to the penitentiary right along for
stealing a pair of trousers, while the case
against the silkhatted and frock-coated
scoundrel, who embezzles the funds of
a company or steals the patrimony of his
ward. is quashed because of his family
connections or social relations
These be- unpleasant facts, but they are
facts with which the Times Dispatch like
the rest of US. is entirely familiar.
Though we Americans pride ourselves
upon being democratic. there is a great
deal more inequality before the law here
than there is In England. 1t is so seldom
that money and influence cannot shield
culprit, that when they fail we proudly
point to the incident in vindication of the
majesty and supremacy of the law. But
We say nothing of the thousand cases
in which they succeed.
With all due Difference to our valued
Richmond contemporary, we are accord
ingly compelled to take issue with it
when it says that the law is no respecter
of persons. The abstract law is not. but
the applied law is very much respecter
of persons. 1t is so much a respecter of
persons that one man may do with i'm
punity what would send another man to
jail or to the penitentiary. This ought
not to be so, of course. 1t brings the law
into contempt and is fomenting social
unrest that BODIES no good to the country.
But 1T IS SO nevertheless.
The first step toward the correction of
this abuse is the frank recognition of its
existence. Instead of seeming startled,
therefore. our contemporary should re-
cognize that THE ABUSE is GENERAL
AND SHOULD, ATTACK 1T AS SUCH.