The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Permit me TO call your attention to what i'm
presses me as three exceedingly weak points In
the Indiana criminal code. They
The low minimum sentences possible under the
indetermInate sentence law. especially as regards
granddaughter. hold-ups, burglary and criminal
assault
The lack OF an habitual criminal act. such as
Is serving such good purpose in Ohio. and
The lack of an asylum for the criminal insane.
Only last week there was the trial OF Mcclure.
at Upton. for the murder Of his two children.
and this week there is the trial OF Terrell. at
Button, for the murder OF his son-in-law, both
atrocious crimes. and the former without SEM
blance OF excuse provocation. and the defense
in both cases was insanity. II these men are
insane they should be put for life where they
can murder other person or persons.
So much has been written and said in favor OF
the habitual criminal law that 1t hardly seems
necessary TO say more than that Indiana needs
one badly to secure unanimous assent
1t seems to me that two years Is too small .
minimum for punishment OF any crime involving
the taking of human life. liable 10 in
voye such taking OF life, and that the entire
code should be revised this point and the vari-
Gus minimums raised from two to three to seven
years. according to the nature OF the crime.
Human life has become very cheap In Indiana,
and the Legislature Of 1905 should take cogni-
zance Of conditions to the end that relief may
be found along the lines suggested. LEX.
Indianapolis. Dec. II.
Interurban Cars for Interurban Tranhc
To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
wish to express my approval OF the editorial
IN the Journal of this date regarding the
OF the interurbsn cars for city passenger trsfnc
No doubt the insertion In the contract with tho
city OF the clause requiring those cars to carry
city passengers deemed right at the time,
but think 1t would be a great mistake TO en-
force it. The interurban lines constructed
primarily for the accommodation Of outside traf-
nc. and. everybody knows. they bring q great
deal of trade to the city. large majority OF
those who come here want to reach the business
portion Of the city quickly possible and,
after finishing their shopping. they want 20 get
home as soon as possible. The stopping OF the
cars for city passengers will interfere materially
with these plans and naturally cause resentment
on the part OF outside passengers. Suppose a
car starting out any OF the lines contains
thirty passengers each one OF whom wants to
get TO his her homo soon as possible. The
cars make few stops outside of the city. but
suppose IL Ia stopped seven eight times within
the city limits to take on passenger at q
time and as many more times to let them or.
There will be eight persons accom-
modated each once and thirty persons discom-
moded and delayed fourteen sixteea times.
1t seems to me the result OF this constant ex-
ASPIRATION will, In time. be 10 seriously affect
outside travel and hurt city trade. The city
service is better than that OF most cities with
out using the interurban cars. and I think 10
would be decidedly better to let the latter be
devoted exclusively TO interurban traffic IL
we want people from outside towns and cities to
visit US we should make the conditions as con-
venent and inviting as possible. At least that
Is the way II looks CITY NAN.
INDIANAPOLIS Dec II