Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-26
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THE PROTECTION OF THE PREsl
DENT.

One of the most important pieces of
legislation passed by the present SEES
sion OF congress and one which has
the most hearty endorsement of the
people OF the United States is the law
for the protection of the President and
those in line OF succession to that
office. The enactment of that tragedy
more than year ago impressed upon
the public mind the necessity for such
Q measure. The people were aroused
/ TO a realization of the inadequacy of
the laws, which left the criminal gull
{ ty of such heinous crime to the au-
thorities of the state.
1t was recognized Immediately that
the federal authorities should have
power to deal with and punish the
guilty. The people, through the press
ct the country, made known their de-
sires. Though there were many plans
offered and many penalties suggested
1t was the almost universal feeling
that the punishment could not be too Sc
we're for the person found guilty of
crime as the one which took from the
American people their beloved Presi-
dent, William Mckinley. 1t was also
felt that any person promulgating doc
trines opposed to all forms of govern
nent should be subjected to drastic
punishment.
After the first wave of angry pas
sion has passed away careful study
of the question was begun and the law
that has just been enacted is but the
crystalization of the more deliberate
thought and consideration OF the sub
ject and fixes adequate punishment
The measure provides the death pen
atty for any one who shall wilfully or
maliciously kill the president, vice
president or any officer upon whom the
duties of the president may devolve
under the constitution or any ambass-
ador or minister accredited to the Unit
ed States. In order that the law might
have a greater deterrent effect it pro-
vides that an attempt to murder the
officials referred to shall be punishable
by death or imprisonment for not less
than ten years. An still further anyone
who aids. advises or aLets the killing
Of the president Or any of The officers
.,f the government upon whom the du-
les OF the chief executive may fall. Or,
shall aid. abet or advise the assassin,
alton Of any foreign sovereign shall be-
eIS2mGd- IL pliIclpdl pltSluST ana any
pne who shall be found guilty Of the
offenscs described in the bill shall be
punished as an offender.
But the bill recently passed by con-
gress goes Further into the question
and fixes a penalty for the attempt to
2ronulgate such doctrines as to cul-
innate in the assassination of govern
lent officials. 1t has put the stamp Of
1isapproval of the American people
sSpon those who teach the doctrines Of
}narchy. Anyone within the United
States who teaches the duty or the ne
aessity of the unlawful killing Of one
pr more of the officers of the govern
s1ent OF any civilized nation shall be
Aned not to exceed 5000 or be impris-
sned not more than twenty years, or
Goth.
To safeguard against the immigra-
zion OF persons with anarchistic views
5he bill provides against the entry in,
so this country of all persons opposed
70 organized government and punish
ment is provided for all such who at
tempt to enter the United States.
Past experience of the American
people has proven the necessity for
such measure and made undeniable
the wisdom of it's enactment. The cit
liens of the United States give it their
hearty sanction.