The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-02
Northern Papers


j uGBea 1IOVlNgts4 prompt arlulllal Wy u
Virginia Jury VIII leave an Impression
in the minds OF most lay observers
that somehow, justice has not been
done. Admitting that the trial was
The technical rules OF evidence were
observed and that Judge Barksdale's
charge followed the laws Of Virginia.
there remains the unpleasant, fact tl1nt
the case went to the jury without the
disclosure OF the whole truth respect
Ing what VIII seem to many persons a
ttts1 element IN The trngedy.---Whsh-
ington Herald
The Law Must be Changed.
# 3uries are to give any considera-
ton whatever to the principles pn der,
stances that law is too dangerous
and demoralizlng to be recognized or
be strengthened by the exclusion Of
evidence relating to the crime which
LED to an appeal to that law IHer. Z
sonid Be statutes II eysTy state pro-
dence tending to demonstrate the truth
or faisity of statements which incite
persons suffering from 'braip -storms"
Every State owes this simple meas.
.ure Of protection to It's citizens. II
such statutes We're enacted 1t Is PROB
able there would be fewer applica-
tons in tho future OF tho ''unwritten
law. Baltimore san.
A Warning to Men.
Judged by the strict letter OF the
statutes this may seem n miscarriage
OF Justice. The law does not permit u
man to be his own avenser, nor does
1t permit community to act similarly,
law wore the absolute embodiment OF
common sense, OF justice and of pop
ular sentiment, and Il It were always
administered without fear or favor
and In exact accordance with the facts
the defendant would have had no cause
TO act as executioner, and having
Els 81 , YOU'D haze Such Paia ha
not exist IS too well known. The law
is not an automatic institution, 1t is
the creation of men, combinatlon o.
execution Is left In the hands OF human
beings who are far from perfectloE::6
The verdict from a tileoretical ? ONT Of
view Is indefensible;;, and yet II !, meets nd.
wish to suffer the penalties Of .the
unwrittenlaw" need only 50 to conduct
themselves that it need never be az
ragged, much AS the Incident may be
ldcplorcd. Philadelphia Inquirer.
IA New Precedent.
The unwritten law does not stand
STILL. 1t grows as the statutes do Or
the "Judge- made" law. does. The case
Just decided IN Virginia marks stride
that If a daughter tells. her father
some man has wronged her he. may
go out and hll that man full of buck
shot--tlat Is, he may II he has an at
tack of insanity forthwith; for 1t is
not clear from this case whether or
not. If the fathers mental equilibrium
Is undisturbed by the story. he may
sally forth as an avenger with the
entire approval OF tho community;
Certainly, II he looks unusually pale"
when. he takes down the family shot
gun from its nail, and IL his, record AZ
q consumer of strong drink Is ade-
society as the champion Of home sane !, !,
tity Whether The u young 1ais.s W Won 41s
slightest difference 4 hocietty that
does not insist on q State inquiry into
the evidence before execution natrr-
ally would not demand that the }. aye e.
quiry. Tho holy shotgun must not be
RETARDED on Its summary Z. er ran by
ayenger should at least Arst assure
himself OF the justice Of. his cause
! would BIO to1nfringe anger's privilege.
New York Times,