Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-16
THE MURDER MANIA.


Louis Brlslow, In an article in the
Charleston News and Courier. calls at
tentton to the appalling frequency OF
homicides in the state of South Caro-
lima. He gives figures to prove that
In that state. during the six months
ended December 81 last, there were l5s
hofnicides, or not very far from one
every day. There were six murders
every week. Just think Of that in
civilized community!
Mr. Brislow gives several facts in this
connection. that have some interest lie
shows that of the number killed, ~
were white and 70 negroes. or the
slayers 70 were white and So black,
while three were unknown. Murders are
no longer confined TO .'nigger killing"
The mania is spreading. Another fact
the writer states thus
"Another matter. and one which
leave to others TO account for: OF the
1bs killings since July /, eighty-two
were committed in prohibition counties
and seventy-six In counties In
which there are dispensaries. Since
October 20. killings have been reported
I'm prohibition counties as follows:
York. Saluda, Union, Pickens, Oconee,
Marlboro Cherokee. and Spartanburg,
one each; Greenville, Newberry, Oar
lington two each; Edgefield and Mar
ion, three each: Lancaster, four and
Anderson eleven. In dispensary coun-
ties: Hampton, Williamsburg, George
town and Dorchester, one each: Char
lesion and Colleton, two each: BAN
berg Aiken. Orangeburg, Richland,
I.aurens three each. and Barnwell,
four. l reclte this last paragraph for
the information of those who have de-
sired to compare the homicide records
of prohibition and dispensary counties
This would seem to prove that prohi-
bition alone is not the cure for the MUIR
derous mania that costs SO many lives
every year. Other means must be APP
piled, as well as the extirpation OF the
low saloon.
Something is fundamentally wrong
with our ideas of the sacredness of hui
man life. We might learn something
from the criminal cooo of the wisest
-giver who ever lived. According to
the law Of Moses. the unlawful kill
ing of a human being, for the sake OF
revenge or gratihcation OF hatred. was
punished with death. No sacrifice was
accepted for that sin. The murderer
might fiee TO the sanctuary, but found
no refuge there.
II person accidentally caused the
death Of another he might nee to the
nearest city OF refuge. and when II was
prove that the killing was Involuntary.
the slayer was safe IN that city But II
he was found outside he might be
-. q les o.. "a,
victim OF the fatal accident The STAY
err had 10 remain in Punishment from
his home, until the death OF the high
priest. And thus he was made 10 suf-
fer the consequences OF even IN eoci-
dental killing, II a body was round
IN the field. the chief citizens Of the
nearest city had 10 declare their nno-
eence OF murder In the most solemn
manner. with regard to self-defense,
Il was enacted that a burglar. for In
stance. taken In the very act at night,
could be slain but II was murder 10 do
so after sunrise. Such We're the an
cient laws.
In this country murderors are rarely
brought 90 justice. Ana In later years
the doctrines OF self-defense and in
sanity have been extended SO as TO
cover most cases OF murder Justice
is no match for tricky lawyers with
money at their command. And as "A
consequence murderers OF both sexes
are let loose upon the community 10
multiply ana breed offspring in their
own image
There win never be an end to this
hloodshed, until every murderer is
dealt with according 10 his or her
deserts. Even accidental kining should
be taken cbgnizance OF by law. Many
Of these are due 10 carelessness in tho