The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-07-06
TIE WHILE MURDER.
louisville Courier-Journal.

excitement and public interest ou'
perhaps more on account of the prom
inence of the parties than owing to
the atrocity of the deed. The time
when a foul murder sent a thrill OF
horror throughout the community. no
matter who was the slayer or the
slain, is unhappily past.
The punishment of the murderer is
the immediate matter of real interest.
He is not an inviting subject for con-
temptation. A distinguished Irish ora
tor once said in a lawsuit: "Of the
defendant in this case know but lit
tie, and l am sorry know so much.
He seems to be one of those fashion
able insects whom folly has painted
and fortune plumed for the annoyance
Of our atmosphere; infesting where
they fly and poisoning where they re-
pose"
Such words appear to apply pecu-
liarly to Harry Thaw. Millions were
accumulated by his father in manu-
featuring, because the Government,
In the exercise of its paternal policy,
chose to hold the taxpayers while the
favored individuals went through their
pockets. The father restricted him to
an income of $4,000 a year, but this
was so far set aside that he received
$4,000 to expend annually along with
the most spectacular and disgusting
extravaganza in spending the money
money earned by others, he developed
sinister contempt for the law and
for the rights of others. He raced a
cab through crowded streets to the
imminent danger Of all the passers-by,
he threw bottles at the soubrettes,
who did not please him. and forced
restaurants to shut up at hours to
suit his caprice. Finally he courted
and married chorus girl. and it is
on account of an alleged injury to her
that he says he shot down Architect
White in cold blood.
The plea that White ruined the life !
Of the murderer is yet too |
indefinite to be commented on at |
length. At any rate, it is not a legal |
justification: as an appeal to public
is too vague. and what is |
now known of the murdered man rem
iers it somewhat improbable The
life of Harry Thaw was already ruin
I'd; as to his wife, further develop
nents must be awaited 1t is clear,
however that this plea is not to be
'elied on in court Il has already
,een given out that Thaw thinks him.
'ef insane, and after claiming that
I was justified. will now claim that IT Il
vas so fully unjustiffable that only
ray man could have perpertrated it.
The misfortunes about these pleas of
insanity is that they generally come
90 late. Harry's father thought him I
bad man TO expend a large income,
ut he did not think him insane or he II
Tould not have left him $4,000 10 ex- Il
end as he pleased. His friends knew {
{ his extravassni habits, of his civ 1
1g $4,000 dinners, of his great pres 10
nts of jewels tc women, and OF his S
Their bad habits, but not one seems to Z
ave thought him insane till he per {
etrated a deed at which humanity r
hudders, but for which his form er I
areer of lawlesness seems to have =
repaired him. When nothing else is Z
insanity is pleaded, and back q
it are millions to make it good. 9
he insanity experts are invoked and r
ence. with advance fees in their n
ockets. are already convinced that r
e is insane. The very facts which T
ere before well known. and which
ever suggested TO any human being q
lie idea of insanity, are now brought a
inward as proofs as strong as holy q
rit that he was entirely incapable .,
judging of the moral quality of his n
IT'S. Ia
1t must be said that the actions of "
haw were rather characteristic of o
lie trained lawbreaker than of the 3,
matte. He did not deny that he fired n
e fatal shots. for of that the evidence nj
as abundant He was shrewd enough is
appeal to public sympathy i'll
: bringing his wife into the case But
ere were other evidences of shrewd
resight He promptly declined to
TX and asked for the counsel of en-
emit lawyers, on whom he relied to
t him out of trouble. 1t may be said =
so that his judgment as to lawyers
rs good, and he took prompt steps :.
have the best legal advice. In his :,
ime he was. as he pretends, quite :.
azy. but in his preparations for de- :.
nse he was eminentiy sane and far :.
eing. -
We are again confronted with the N