New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27
FILTERS TO THE Editor.
-o1R4TE LYNCHING EVIL.
s., uast7, Trial. but 1mcHdmeat Of
1o.p Defining Murder Needed.

IdO Defining MHrdeT Neeoed.
49,. 7-s.-r- os The Tribune.
2 y -. crouch in THIS country OF the sentiment
y - o. die people 90 Kill any person or per
49, -.ror. their passion has been aroused.
- fv The recent event az Springfield
. se-.srls tho application ~ a quick. SUDDEN,
- make Tire whole country seems TO ne
80. f,b he disease While = was confined 10
80 Who're thcy are 90 asslduo1s-y Engaged
---tlrr out tho salvation OF the negro and
,rs1s 80 IS insisted that the people have a
g. trogledee o. the methods 70 be applied 10
- - vas not OF 50 much concern; bur no"
- -. siserea apparently. has taken oe'n s'el
p. So who're we have never had 90 look Tar
80 whose political associations have inaae
- - scholars. we are not only 81 la.rE 10
- -. IN. 81 has become our duty. having oit-
-. -4eus regarding the means OF salva'lon 10
-, a, the a-st degree IS defined ny our Penal
-. f,,i4v-s. The killing of a human being, IN
-, Il fr-,saIIo or sJstiaahlo. when committed
} - -, q fremedtated design 60 effect the
- ~ ne person killed or another. or oy an act
-.,-srfv dangerous 10 others, and erlnciae de-
- MIND. regardless OF human lie. aithoush
..-so-. a ureme5itated design 20 elect me oe-1A
-. ,-sf,i6uaI; or without a design 10 eject
- d. q rerson engaged Ga The commission Of
-. a. s-teulpt 20 commit felony, either upon o.
..-.,-g the person killed or otherwise. or when
--,.ratsd IN committing the crime OF arson ln
| 4. arst degree.
i ~. IL 10 question but that those who took
-ao7 from the custody OF the law at Springfield
"a FILLED him would had the crime been com
COO IN this state. have been guilty o. murder I'm
=. IS, degree Doubtless under tho statute OF
80 ,bev are likewise guilty OF that crime. Every
.-snt OF the crime exists-the ''premeditated de-
i - the act 'gmmiucutiy dangerous" the 'de-
- MIND regardless of human life" all are
ar, And not only the legal. but the moral crime.
4 PIT Y this crime committed at Springfield had
- committed in this state. 81 Is extremely doubt
= n the rnurdercrs could be convicted. They VIII
-,bably escape in Ohio. il IS even doubtful Il
.sy are Indicted. The crime being committed in a
.--i-usr county 81 IS fury Of that county which
,-s-,s and tries. But 81 seems that when such
a-ss- Is committed the whole county is so domi-
,,,s5 hy tre rnurderous disposition that the law
.,sses to be- operative. And then. I'm these par
esar cases. tlere is generally the political cues
/ IN 10 contend with. What is 20 be done ia such
sss, BIT that BE- not the real question now for Us
\ his STATE The question Tor Us is What shall
90 do ir advance 60 prevent such visitati0us2 The
Tribune perhaps. has undertaken 10 answer {hd[
4 .isst0n ID has urged the more speedy trial OF
4 Frse charged with murder and other crimes. Il
= found 'uurh fault with 'the laws delays. and
mink without intending IT, % has furnished an
DISCUSSION win eagerly avail themselves u they are
s7s- brought -o TRIAL Tho mere suggestion Of such
4 --red,- / consider not only "a mistake in itself
Il rt mistake founded on "a mistake. 90 not IN
II ai 10 discuss Dr. but I cannot bring myself % be-
ped o. ffe .rl 9f aIeEel criminals especlal!y ot
- g. .. ,. III ~ -,---------lif, due 10 lie
\ fence has ahatr6 They should be tried de-
II -ssrat,ly calmly. unirna.Hcsd by public clamor,
r-hout ffrlsat..enoss and iU recognition OF their
INIT t1 .1Ir and impartial trials. DO not believe
b admin -,rauou of The law u this respect ia this
criticism. The rnIrtt ~ 1'"l 100 ofieH occupies
i be- public MIND when a person charged With muir
q
fd What ~ need above an things is deeper
nHzatiar or tle wight of man to DIS life. But
90 would ask. u-riaus. what would Cd" 'y way or
/ To the statute d,auiu5 murder ir the first de-
rec as above quoted. would t~st have The lcEiS-
rt0d. of I1e laV and kiliinE him, or killing INN
ts law. whatever the crime imputed t0 such per-
r is murder iu the r-t dcEree. within The mean
rer. fneut essential o. bring such crime within
II b statute defining murder, bur because Do would
/ md and operate O. warning % those wishing 10
ms,ruc the statute as authorizing such killing,
-hea thr crime imputed should seem 30 Zoe. or be-,
fact peculiarly afrHnuUs.
4 But would have The legislature 60 further and
act special statute % meet this especial crime.
i would have b. defined iu uuui-takahe terms as
-lrder in Tho FIRST decree would make every
ret-h who should mutIats the dead body. not only
Il accessory. bus "a principal 10 The crime, IL, IN
be Judgment of the Governor indictments or con
nions in the county in which the crime should he
onmtied were likely 40 prove ab0rtivc, by reason
II public excitement or by reason Of the influence
n he 'leadiuc citizens involved. 7 would give him
1Tress authority % InaUgurate proceedings IN any
aer county. and 10 require the District Attorney
4 the selected county TO prosecute such proceed
II gs 90 the expense of the State: would make the
4 rlnicin6lity lu which any such crime should De
'urltted by express provision OF statute answer
De In damages done h- the mob 20 any person. IN
srson az property. without imposing any special
ny on such person. j would Clothe the Sheriff OF
7sry county with defined and ample powers 10
A a any attack OF The mob. eXoneratuE him I'm
Nance from ff' consequences or any hasty or
rscrtate action in the presence Of The mob. but
1Eng Ls failure 10 protect his prisoner pre-
-lrIFe evidence ~ his UuHtress for the Office
ID sufficient reason FOR his removal. While the
listing statutes may substantially cover these
ggestOns. ] would have them Iu statute de-
shel especially % meet this particular crime,
n evidence OF the States purpose 70 put its foot
4 ~ upon ir hard should 81 ever De committed
4 Pin It's borders GEORGE BARROW.
sarea-e1.e N y March Is 1914