The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-09-30
AN OMNIBUS RECORD.

In Oregon, murder can no longer be
classed among hazardous sports. To
the pastime of human slaughter the
law attaches that bare suggestion of
danger which is essential to give zest
to any manly amusement; but the
suggestion is carried out so seldom
that only an arrant coward should be
deferred by it from shooting any man
or woman whom he might select for
his game. The only drawback to the
sport of homicide is its eXpensivSness,
but even in this respect it compares
favorably with duck shooting.
To feed a lake with wheat, maintain
a club shanty and pay for guarding the
birds probably cost more in season
than the lawyers fees for defending
murder case; and since no good sports
man would care to commit more than
one homicide a year. The advantage of
economy is on the side of murder. 1t
is also more democratic than duck
since the destructive irrupton of the
carp exterminated the wapatoes, few
poor men can stand the expense of this
aristocratic sport: while the benef-
cence of the state brings the delirious
enjoyment of homicide within the reach
of all. If one is too poor to hire his
own lawyer, the state steps forward
and does it for him. Thus the noble
game of human slaughter may be
played by all on equal terms, nor is
there any closed season.
Deer ducks and pheasants enjoy a
respite from the hunter during some
months of each year by mandate of
the law, which is strictly enforced. Not
so with human game. For hunting
men the season is always open; prob
ably because the species, like guinea
pigs. multiplies faster than it can be
killed off, and therefore needs no pro-
lection. To be sure, the Oregon code
ostensibly prohibits murder under Sc
we're penalties; but it is we'll under
S>Cod eiihohS StlS tlldl lllS ploIl1-
bition is nothing but a bit of graceful
persifiage, and the penalties are men,
toned only to make the joke more
pointed. Perhaps, though, they may
have been inserted with the practical
purpose of exercising the ingenuity of
legal acrobats. AT any rate. they sub
serve that desirable and profitable eId
most admirably If they subserve anv
other practical end. some ornament of
the bar ought to win. eternal fame by
telling what it is
TO be sure, person who commits
murder may be hanged in Oregon. 1t
is always possible. Likewise a man
who starts across the street may be
run down by an automobile But does
the fear of automobiles prevent our
gong where we like? Why, then.
should the lesser chances of being
hanged prevent ones shooting or pois-
oning whosomever he pleases? AS a
matter of fact, they do not. for man.
after all. is logical creature who
usually liNSS w 10 MS privileges. When
a citizen of Oregon wishes to kill an
other he oils up his gun and shoots
calculating that the satisfaction far
outweighs the slight danger of punish
ment. AS rule he calculates cor
rectly. Most of our homicides go I'M
punished and the lesson of their i'm
munity is not lost upon others The
old feeling that murder is a crime ex-
piable only by death. branded with
damnation by the Almighty himself
Is dying out. In place of it we now
accept slaughter as part of the daily
routine. If one differs from his neigh
bors over the hens, he shoots. not the
hens. but the neighbor. If a man dis
likes his wife's visitors. he shoots them
and the law. owlishly. approves
All his teaches that the protection