The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-18


| which led up them. For time they were confined
largely to the south but that section of the country
longer has monopoly The chief ofense which causes
those ynchings has been the CT white women by
colored men, words be found strong to de-
scribe the atrocity such crime wonder that
the community is excited. Men would disgrace their
manhood they And if a few lynchings had
put a stop the ofense society might have condoned
such breaches law fact is if credit
the reports the crime diminishing the in
crease. The black beast for only beast would be
guilty of such oense) to be not deferred there
by More than that might be expected lynching for
such atrocous crimes is no longer confined them, but
is being resorted for other ofenses.
What can be done stay this epidemic of ynching?
One thing establishment of greater confidence in
the summary and certain punishment of the criminal
Men are afraid of the delays and the uncertainty
results they doubt the integrity of the
judges they that the law abounds with tech
meal rules and that the appellate courts will often
verse judgment Of conviction for disregard of such
notwithstanding full belief in the guilt of the
cused If all certain that the guilty would be
promptly tried and punished the inducemen TO lynch
would be largely taken In address which de-
ivered before the American association Detroit
years since advocated doing away with appeals
in criminal 1t did not meet the favor OF the asso
cation but stl believe in its wisdom For nearly 100
years there appeal the judgment of convc
federal courts and review
except cases. which, two judges sitting diff
ference of opinion question of law was certified to
the supreme court England the rule has been that
there will be appeal in criminal cases, although
question of doubt might be reserved by the presiding
judge for the consideration Of his brethren. Hon. b. j.
Phelps minister England during Cleveland's
first administration, told that while he was
there only two cases were reversed. Does anyone
doubt justice was fully administered by the English
courts?
'Tt is said in exenuation of lynchng in of rape
that additional cruelty the unfortunate victim
compel her go the witness stand and in the
presence mixed audience tell the story of her
especially she may be subject to crossexamnaion
by oyerzealous counsel believe this matter but
it must be that often the unfortunate never
lives to story of her and if she does sur
yive she must tell it one and the whole COM
munity knows Even in the court room high
minded Judge will stay counsel from any unnecessary
crossexamination and finally if lawyer should at
tempt it the community may treat him outcast-
can but think that if the community felt that the criminal
would certainly receive the punishment he deserves and
receive it soon eageness for ynchng would dsap
pear and mobs whose gatherings too often mean not
merely the destruction of jas and other property but
also the loss lives, would greatly diminish in
number
zone thing is certain the tendency of lynchng is to
undermine respect the law and unless it be checked
we need astonshed If it be resorted to for all
kinds of oenses often times innocent suffer for
wrongs committed by Others"