The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-06
rHE LAw,s uNoERTA1NTrEs.

Theorists may claim al much as they like that the law deals equally and impartially with rich and poor alike. but facts fail to sustain the theory. as Is apparent to all who keep up with current events. As a matter of fact the law Itself is partial, though wheth- CT there is a remedy is another ques- tion. A rich man and a poor man, let us say, each commits precisely the same offense. as penalty for which the law fixes a fine or imprisonment. The man with money pays his fine and costs and goes free. The man with out money goes to Jail or hard labor to serve out his sentence.
 That is not the "equal and exact jus- tice" guaranteed to us under the Con stitution. but how can it be remedied7 The law itself fixes the same penalty, but as it allows an alternative sen- tence the monied man gets the bene- fit of 1t. If in all such cases the law required both fine and Imprisonment rich and poor would fare alike; pro- vided, of course. all judges and juries were strictly conscientious in the dis charge of their duties. Perhaps that would be too much to expect of human nature.
 But leaving this view out of consid- eration, we are continually meeting with instances of the power of wealth. Take the case of Harry Thaw. as a notable example. That he deliberately murdered Stanford White is beyond money or without rich and influential connections. he would have been con- victed and executed Of this we think there is hardly room for even a shadow of doubt. for there was no real justi- ncation for his dastardly act, but he had plenty of money and by spending 1t literally he kept the case out of the courts for many long months and will never be punished for the crime of murder.
 The case of the Hains brothers, now held for the killing of Captain Annis Is going to furnish another case like that of Thaw, from present indications. They have money and influential friends to back them. The insanity plea will be used for all 1t is worth and it is safe to predict that the mur- derer will not be punished as he de- serves. Then there Is a more recent case of which The Philadelphia Even ing Times says:
 The instance of the shooting of a wealthy Baltimorean while in a roll ing chair on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City may be cited With astonish-
 on tSe shsid Of enePe and Ade Genial of acquiescence and approval. Is at once fnterpOsed between the police what the motive. why this dense si- fence, why 1t happened while he was in the company of another mans wife all these questions are waved aside. It's nobodys business-particuIar not that of the police
 In the instance of a poor person no way way of the authorities Clues would be followed. the persons involved would be rudely questioned or even jailed, and the mystery, if any. thus solved if practicable.
 The difference Is notable. Here some of the persons involved are connected with high places in the city where all reside And. though denied. there ap- pears to be an otherwise inexplicable lnaction on the part of the police of that city. Of course such inaction would not be noticeable in the case of a poor man. With the rich and infiu- ential 1t often seems quite natural.
 What will be the outcome of this case cannot be foretold of course. tut the indications now are that nobody will be punished. And so we might multiply instances but what is the use7 Neither human laws nor hu-