The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-03-02
ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION OF Law.

Whatever charges Of graft may Or may not be lodged
against Indian Territory federal officials their inorinate
desire to stay ia ONCE and to continue the Territory
under its present unsatisfactory governmental conditions,
it annet be successfully charged that the laws not
properly enforced in all thedistcts from Texas to KAN
sas and from Oklahoma to Arkansas. The judges and
prosecutors are as familiar with the administration Of
criminal law here asany in the whole country
one Of tie best lawyers ia vinita remarked today,
anent the administration Or criminal law in the courts
Of the Indian Territory that there marked points
open to just criticism 1T Is extremely seldom said
he that guilty man escapes. There have been some
convicted and sentenced to long terms in the peniten
tiary Who perhaps should have been acquitted given
light sentences over n Missouri there have been re-
Gently some note acquttas of who beyond doubt
we're guilty Such cannot be said Of anyo the courts Of
the Indian Territory Not one noted criminal has
escaped since tile establishment Of the courts There
have been very few ynchngsand certainly excuse for
any il the last ten years And, again. do not believe
that the administration Of justice in the Indian Terri
tory Is characterized BY unreasonable delays If such
were the case tho fact would jysty direct imputation
against the prosecuting officers and also the Judges
ut often happens that delay the fault Of the law,
but the about 1t has benin this respect for gen
cratons and designed not only for the protection Of
tie community but for that Of the individual It does
not 20 any too far 10 maintaining safeguards around life
and liberty Underour practice i mau Is indicted we
will assume that least month is allowed for his
lawyers prepare the case look up witnesses examine
the law etc If an important witness cannot be found
after due diligence shown his client makes an affidavit
that the witness essential to his defense states what
he expetcs prove by him, and asks for continuance
If the Judge oyerrues his application and he tried and
convicted his case IS taken the appellate court which
may decide that the absent witness essential his
defense and order new trial. In the meantime the
public which may have been worked up into frenzy
over the case if, for example, it is a brutal murder
hastily decides that there is lanentabe miscarriage Of
Justice 1t forgets that the preservation Of the integrity
Of the legal system and the standing By the principles
Of law more important than the punishment Of any
one person
The people often too impatient for the administra
ton Of law. Wild and innamed human nature wrought
up by some outrageous crime often the cause Of an
outbrst agansta all law. The town loafers and other
idlers start the discussion Of atrocity Then is
contagion Of passion There absenge Of reasoIing
as to the administration of law, and public opino is
perverted and the machinery of the courty aDlsNd.
'The people Of the Indian Territory iaSe tsason 70
feel proud Of is courts We have not hai single weak
or unsafe Judge on the federal bench country
and have had able and painstakng prosecuEsgs have
grave fears that when we become state win Al the
machinery Of organized government say that
the law IS as well enforced