The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-02-20
AN EFFECTIVE CHECK ON CRIME.

AN EFFECTIVE CHECK ON CRIME
Circuit Judge Mcbride yesterday i'm
posed upon Tommy Howard peni-
tentiary sentence of 10 years for as
sault with intent to commit ROBBERY.
Howard had previously been in the cir
cult court for a similar offense and
served a penitentiary sentence i'm
posed at that time. A few days ago he
was arrested for the attempted rob-
berry. The evidence produced at the
hearing before the district attorney
showed that Howard had rolled" a
drunken man. Because of the fact that
the amount of money stolen from the
man could not be definitely ascertained
robbery was not charged. Instead the
assault charge was preferred.
Howard is, according to his own
statement, 4S years of age The sem
tence yesterday imposed upon him by
Judge Mcbride is equivalent to life
term, for there is little question that
Howard, strong and rugged though he
may be. will end his days behind the
brick walls of the dismal prison.
The sum of money for which Howard
has thus been deprived of his liberty
for the rest of his days was less than
SO. He had. the authorities state.
long earned a livelihood by robbing
drunken men, instead of devoting him.
self to some honorable employment.
Long practice had made him cunning,
and, though the police kept sharp watch
upon him, they were unable for years
to detect him in his criminal career.
Finally, however, he has been brought
to the bar of justice, and for 10 years
must wear the stripes and suffer the
privations of convict.
A penitentiary sentence of 10 years
is far worse than death. Penal servi-
tude is a living death, at best, event
with short timers, ana the prospect of
a 10-year sentence is enough to break
down the strongest man. As Howard
sat upon bench at the county Jail
yesterday, silently contemplating the
fate which he had moulded for him |
self, he was an object of pity, as is |
any man whose shortcomings bring up
on him the wrath of the law He has
made his own bed and must lie in it.
Howards case points out a great
moral. 1t is not profitable to steal.
The guilty person is always run to
earth, and, while he may for a time
thrive, eventually he must answer to
the law for his crime. 1t is not diff
cult to fall into evil ways once the start
is made, or to scorn legitimate means
Of livelihood for petit larcenies How
ard has no doubt drifted into crime {
step at time, until honest work was |
unknown to him. He was raised on the t
worlds rough side and will end his S
lays in states prison. E
Judge Mcbride is merciless in deal c
ng with offenders. In Howard's case,
,or instance, attempted commission Of '
he crime was charged against him. r
rhe maximum penalty for the offense
Is 10 years, and unhesitatingly the t
court imposed the full sentence. d
Charles Belmont was sentenced to 1S t
months Imprisonment for drawing a i
'evolver on a restaurant keeper He e
old the court the restaurant man had t
threatened to assault him and that in t
rawing the gun he was merely endeav- C
ring to protect himself until he could a
et away from the place. In many y
ourts few months Imprisonment in p
he county Jail would have followed u
onviction upon charge of this kind y
ut Judge Mcbride, who can see no i;
aason why men should disregard the p
wv, imposes sentences which win il
erve as object lessons not only to the y
risoners brought before him, but as 0
ell to others with criminal tendencies $
lis view of the criminal situation is
le result of long years of observa- b
on, and in his severe dealing with t
'iminals he is merely placing an effec- o
We check on crime. Z
rA nEcTDINT MMtHRATl0N 4