The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-12-21
Hsngings Needed
In Georgia

The following article under the cap
ton aNeeded-Hangings." which ap-
peared in a recent issue Of the Az
bany (Ga9 Herald. treats OF condi-
ton OF anairs in that state similar to
that with whi7h Florida has been
cursed Tor many years:
Ii sounds like a cold-bloodod propo-
eitior TO make the assertion that we
ncef more hangings in Georgia.
Put maj IS Just about the truth Of
distressing condition OF anairs-Ne
need more hangings in Georgia
when man commits capitat
crime in this state. the gallows looms
q lonc way in the future. The chances
are very many 90 one that ne VIII
never he executed Shares and plt-
falls inumerablo are spread Tor the
uncertain feet of justice, whose prov
erbal blindness leads her into some
very serious blunders.
~ murder IS committed. The slay-
az b arrested and day SIS set for
fir trial. His lawyers secure a post
ucnameni. and six months Isl added %
THE period between the crime and the
Official Investigation. Perhaps the ac-
cusei is convicted His counsel asks
for new trial Maybe be gets it.
Them after another six months. the
accused is tried a second time. If be
IS convicted araiu. his counsel moves
for another trial. Failing in this. per-
hans. the case Is carried 10 the SUI
creme court On a technical point or
other Eround. the lower court is re-
Terscd I'M another six months, the
case As tried a third time. ID goes
once more TO the supreme court. which
8Hrms the verdict from below. Then
the governor is appealed to- and a
STAY OF execution secured. after which
The case is carried before the Pardon
Board
hy this time several years have
elapsed since the commission of the
crime. and indignation in The country
where 90 was committed has LARGELY
subsidized. The influence of prominent
men IS sought and secured. and ap
peals are made TO the Pardon Board
which that tributnal finds dimcuity In
resisting. While the case Is pending
She EovCrnor grants a respite. AM
finally the Pardon Board commutes
1he sentence 20 life Imprisonment
For months past q Udal wave @.
crime has been sweeping over GeOr
gia The daily papers teen with ac
counts az homicides from the Teunes
see lire 10 ST. Mays and from the
Chattahoochee 10 the coast A soI
ANS his father. and a brother take.
the life Cf a brother. Never sine,
Georgia became a state was human
lfe So cheap
Where win Ct an ond7
The Herald believes that this de
ploraole condition OF affairs IS iarEer
due To the fact thar there are. too fev
hanEines When a cold-blooded muir
der IS committed. the murderer snoul.
be executed That is the law. an.
enc law is good Do is a law for IN.
protection of the innocent no les
than for Che punishment of the guilty
~ fewer Of the guilty escaped il
Georgia. there would be fewer orca
Eions Tor placing snares for the fee
OF Justice Human life Is entirely to
cheap in our good state.
Comment upon the above IS IN
necessary. Under a condition of al
fairs by which the most dastardl
crimes 60 unpublished, or inadequate
ly punished. az best no mans life !
safe. Protection to life and propert
are guaranteed every man by the law
az the lana, but as long as the law
are iuEEled Tor the benefit q
criminals; as long as weab-knee
luries recommend TO mercy where n
mercy was shown. as long as polit
cany or personally Influenced pardon
inE boards continue 90 turn loos
b'oad-dyed desPeradoes upon tho con
uuuiu-iust thar long wlr the lav
providing adequate punishment Cd
crime remain but little more than
ferea.