The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-08

eral conduct, actions. appearance Of
reformation and similar factors enter
into the boards judgment. The rapidity
with which people now live. make them
soon forget even the most heinOus
crimes, and the perpetrators often
are delivered into freedom at an early
period after the commission. Officials
change, the minds of people are taken
Up with new matters, and the actual
facts are forgotten Friends come to
the rescue. Opposition to pardon and
freedom does not formulate, and a fire.
quent result is that criminals. even of
the worst type, make an early escape
from prison walls Both of the Rus
sells can gain their freedom after five
years. Any convict with sense makes
an effort to get credit for good be-
havior. They dissemble reformation if
they can do nothing else. Governors
and prison boards, with personal theor-
les regarding society, upon the inter-
vention of friends, come to a cOnclu-
sion that sufficient punishment has been
administered and that if the convicted
are freed and given another chance,
they will become good citizens and a
credit to themselves and the communi-
ty, but in this case the convicted cOu-
pie have no friends to intercede.
One Of the worst crimes on the cal
endar is a wrong committed on lit
tie child, especially an Offense which
robs youth of its innocence and peeu-
liar sweetness. With this in mind,
Judge Dana of the district court, and
County Attorney Hungate, In their let
ter to the warden of the penitentiary,
such as accompanies all commitments,
attacked the indeterrninate sentence
law as Inadequate, and Judge Dana
stated emphatiCally, that if the power
We're his he would have given both of
the prisoners the very limit, q years
at hard labor for each.
The letter Of the court is unsparing.
In the letter ACCOMMODATING the
commitment of Mrs. Russell the court
says that the crime is almost unbe-
beVable but for the confession of the
woman herself" The judge also rec
commended that both be kept in the
penltentiary for the full period of
tWeniy-One years, or the limit.
A big crowd was in the court room
when Mr.. and Mrs. Russell were
brought before the judge at O'Clock.
Russell was absolutely unmOved. He
acted as if the matter in hand did
not concern him in the least His
wife was nervous as an aspen leaf She
/ verify shook with fear.
When the case was called County
Attorney Hungate arose and said:
THE defendants have decided to en-
! ter a plea Of guilty.
". 3. Schoch, who conferred with
the defendants at the suggestion of the
court and apprised them of their
/ rights, said: Both of the defend ants
seem to believe truth a cardinal vir-
I tue BOtA say Ihal IN Tne1r COMES
sicns on Saturday they told the actual
/ facts of the case The case is SO re-
voting that the less said the better -
Mr.. Russell" said the court. stdo
you desire to plead guilty2"
Yes answered Russell, perfectly
unlnoved. I'll plead guilty to what
I said in my statement Saturday"
TO what YOU said Saturday ?" asked
the court. II want to know now
whether you plead guilty to the charge
preferred against you.
yes" ne answered.
What have you to say why the
sentence of the court should not be
/ pronounced against your
Not single thing" he answered,
sitting perfectly quiet and composed,
and rot even moving a muscle.
our crime is almost unbeliev-
able" said the court you are en-
titled to no sympathy at all. You
will be confined in the penitentiary at
sees fit to discharge you"
Mrs. Russell did not want to plead
guilty But her confession of Satur-
day was against her. and the court
did not take her little weak plea into
consideration.
9Do you plead guilty2" he asked.
Yes. she answered. crying and
sobbing.
The court also sentenced her ia
hard labor in the penitentiary until
the law sees fit to release you
They left the court room together
and went back to the county jail
Russell might have been taking 2
stroll for exercise for all the care he
show ed. Mrs Russell was crying and
almost unable to walk They VIII be
taken to the penitentiary tonight.