Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-07
ON ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW
No Man. Rich or Poor, Stands Above
the Lazy in YliS Country


few years ago there was loud COM
plant that the law could not be In
voked against wealthy offenders. There
Of the S Geparent 4" Justice during Se's
last few years has been such as tc
make It evident that no man stands
boys e tb, that no nef be- hen
account. The department of justice has
been as prompt. to proceed against the
wealthiest malcfactor whose crime was
against the agitator who incites to
brutal violence. Everything that can , be
done under the existing laW and nn,n With
which so profoundly influences both the
courts and, juries, has been, done; But
the laws themselves need strengthening
In more than one important point; they
should be made more definite. so that
no honest man can be led unwittingly,
to break them and sa.s So that the real
OPINION MUST SUPPORT LAWS
Moreover, there must be the public
opinion back of the laws or the laws
themselves will be Of no avail. At pres
emit while the average juryman undoubt-
and Is quite ready to fine the corpora
ton itself, he Is very reluctant to find
the facts proven beyond reasonable
doubt when 1t comes to sending to jail
member Of the business community
| for induging in practices which are pro-
foundry unhealthy. but which, unfor-
| tunatGlY,
grown to recognize as well-ngh normal.
Both the present condition Of the law
and the present temper of !uries rem
der 1t a task Of extreme difficulty to
get at the real wrongdoer in any such
case especially by Imprisonment Yet
1t is from every standpoint far prefer
able to punish the prime offender by
| Imprisonment rather than to fine the
corporation. with the attendant damage
to stockholders.
The two great evils In the execution
of our, criminal laws today are sent Mt
ter the remedy must come from thu
hands Of the legislatures, the courts, and
the lawyers. The other must depend fol-
its cure upon the gradual growth OF
sound public opinion which shall insis
that regard for the law and the demands
of reason shall control all other influ
Of these evils must be removed or publi
discomfort with the criminal law will
continue.
ABUSE OF INJUNcTIONs
Instances of abuse in the granting o
to occur, and the resentment in tn
minds of those who feel that their right
are being invaded and their liberty o
action and Of speech ,, unwarrantab'y re
Much ai'e OF the attack on the use Of tn
process of Injunction is wholly withou
;; warrant; but I am constrained to ex
there is warrant. This question is be
coming more and more one of prim
Importance, and unless the courts wi
themselves deal with 1t In effective man
. nor IL is certain ultimately to deman
some form OF legislative action. 1t woul
7 be most unfortunate for our social wei
! fare If we should permit many homes
they had just cause for regarding on
! courts with hostility ] earnestly con-
mend to the attention Of the congress
iris matter, so that some way may b
! devised which will limit the abuse c
s iniunctions and protect those right
! which from tins. to time It unwarrant
: sblv inyades. Moreover, discomfort
often expressed with the use of tn
: process Of injunction by the courts. nc
: only in labor disputes. but where stat
; nussion OF this question as I am Ir
. formed that 1t will soon receive tn
consideration Of the supreme court