The Washington times., 1903-09-06
DRUMHEAO INQUIRIES
AS A DETERRING FORCE
Some Action Needed to
Check the Present Drift
Away From Law-An In
teresting Letter on a Time
ly Subject.
To the Editor Of The Washington Times:

To the Editor Of The Washington Times:
II must be apparent to the most
casual observer that the tendency to
override the laws provided for orderly
trials in criminal cases is growing more
pronounced and widespread throughout
the country. 1t is to be expected in a
population like ours, made up OF such
heterogeneous classes, many of them
ignorant and vicious, and all full of
energy and vitality. that there should
be considerable degree of lawlessness
at times. Human nature chafes under
restraint of any sort, and constantly
displays its desire to do as it pleases,
but up to within a short period it has
been only on the frontier and in the
organization of new communities where
20 legal machinery has been set up, or
where the thrush of bad characters had
been too great, and the prevalence of
crime too universal to be controlled by
established methods, that communities
have set at naught the law by deeds of
violence.
Doubtless occasions arise as in the
early days of California when such a
chinery Of society there wholly failed
to work, courts, sheriffs and jurors, its
agents to put down crime and protect
life and property, could be no longer
relied on, and the community at large
was forced to resume control until re-
formed conditions could be put IN effect.
No such conditions confront US any
where. 1t is a lamentabre fact. thai
in most OF the lynchings that have taken
place the victims have been forcibly
taken from jails with speedy trials and
certain punishment ahead Of them, and
illegally put TO death. No one doubts
that innocent persons often suffer. and
no one questions that the effect on those
who take part in such acts is brutaliz-
ing and in every way deplorable.
To Meet the Difficulty.
There seem to be only two ways in
which to meet the difficulty
The first is to make the authorities so
strong that they can always protect the
lives OF prisoners, and then hold them
strictly responsible for doing so at any
cost. 1t has cost the lives of hundreds
OF thousands of respectable citizens to
build up and preserve our institutions.
and II is worth a few more to insure
! their lasting continuance. which with
out respect for and obedience 20 law is
| impossible. The dreadful occurrence at
| Wilmington testifies how the danger Is
spreading
1t can be stopped by sharp and heroic
| treatment only. Lynching was at first
confined pretty much TO one crime, and
to one section. Becoming common
there. il has begun TO be used for other
| crimes--in fact. last year only 35 per
/ cent Of the executions were for rape
! and to spread into other sections of
/ the country, showing conclusively the
/ bad effects OF disregard OF the law. But
! If II has become the settled attitude of
q large section of the country that the
/ laws in regard TO rape are not ade-
quate and not sufficiently promptly and
/ vigorously administered, to hold that
| crime in check under the peculiar cir
| cumstances that exist there, is II not
possible to adopt in regard TO IL z
/ middle course, which will In a rough
| and ready wav subserve the ends OF
| justice and secure quick punishment at
! least under forms OF law. We have the
profoundest sympathy for the women OF
| the South. in the very trying position
! in which they are placed, and feel that
| nothing ought 10 be left undone for
| their protection.
An Emergency Court.
! Let the governor of the State appoint
AZ. officer in each township. whose duty
Il shall be as soon as anyone is appre-
hended charged with rape to proceed 70
the place, call in half dozen men OF the
| immediate vicinage, try the accused
without forms of law at once, and il
found guilty, execute him without bar
| barity. The evidence Of the sufferer
need not be publicly given.
This would give a prisoner some