The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-03-03
ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION OF Law

Whatever charges Of graft may or may not be lodged
against Indian Territory federal officials their inorinate
desire stay in Office, and continue the Territory
under its present unsatisfactory governmental conditions
il cannot be successfully charged that the laws not
properly enforced in all the districts from Texas Kan
sas and from Oklahoma to Arkansas The judges and
prosecutors are as familiar with the administration of
criminal law any like officials in the whole country
one OF the best lawyers in vlnta remarked today,
anent the administration Of 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 penten
tiary who perhaps should have been acquitted 'o given
light sentences Over In Missouri there have been re-
Gently noted acqutas Of who, beyonda doubt,
guilty Such cannot be said Of any OF the courts Of
the Indian Territory. Not noted criminal has ever
escaped since the establishment Of the courts There
have been very few lynehngsand certainly for
any n the last years. And again. do not believe
that the administration OF Justice In the Indian Terri
tory is characterized by unreasonable delays II such
we're the ease the fact would ystfy direct mputation
against tie prosecuting officers, and also the Judges
IT often happens that delay IS the fault Of tie law,
but tile about il has been thsrespect for gen
eratons aud is designed not only the protection Of
the community but for that OF the individual II does
not go any too far in maintaining safeguards around life
and liberty. Under practice, II a indicted wc
will assume that at least month is allowed for his
lawyers prepare the look up witnesses examine
the law, etc. If an important witness cannot be found
after due diligence shown, his client makes AFFIDAVIT
that the witness IS essential his defense what
be expetcs prove by him. and asks for continuance
II the Judge oyerres his application and he Is tried and
convicted his Is taken 10 the appellate court which
mag decide that the absent witness essential his
defense and order trial In the meantime the
public which mas have been worked up into frenzy
over the case IT, for example, It IS a brutal murder
hastily decides that there lameutabe miscarriage Of
Justice Il forgets that the preservation Of the integrity
OF tie legal system and the standing b. the principles
Of law are more important than tie punishment Of any
one person.
The people often too impatient for the adminlst-
ton Of law. Wild and infamed human nature, wrought
up b. some outrageous crime IS often tie cause Of au
outburs against all law. The town oaers and other
lden start the discussion Of some atroclty There is
contagIou of passion There absence of reasoning
Is 70 the administration Of aw and public opinion
perverted and tle machinery Of the courts abused
efhe people Of the Indian Territory have reason 10
feel proud Of It's courts We have not had single weak
o. unsafe judge on tie federal bench IN the lndanc0unry
and have had able and painstaking prosecutors have
grave fears that when Sc become state, with al The
machinery Of oFganlzed government cannot say that
the las Is As nell enforced