The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-11-10

SOME vALuAHlE STATISTICS

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SOME VALUABLE STATISTICS
pittsbnrg is one Of the popnlous
counties OF the new state. Il has
mines and farm lands, wild places and
some OF the finest improved country
places OF the old Indian country Me
Alestes. the county seat of govern
meni. is one Of the foremost CONNER
cial centers Of the state and has an
intelligent aggressive progressive
population. There are numerous pop
ulous towns throughout the county,
some of them running into the thous-
ands and there is thickiy settled
country between those towns and VII
lagos, Naturally there is a very cos
mopolilan population many foreign
ers mixed with those who came here
from the various states
Totaied as whole, II Is an intel
aigent, enlightened people, aspiring ~
bign ideals, maintaining good schools,
having splendid lodges, churches, etc.
The tecords for one year, IN 4 erin
al way are worth consideration:
Thirty murderers wee convicted OF
their crimes.
Thifty-two mufderers and attempt
ed murdereis were not convicted.
FIVE back hand letter writer's were
cziled TO face the law.
Four counterfeiters were also be-
fore the bar OF justice SO far none
of them free.
Twenty-nine burglars felt the heavy.
mailed hand OF justice.
But thirteen men were convicted
oi gun toting.'
Nov Pittsburg Is not worse than
many other places. 1t can be stated
u IN not so bad, for whilst the jurors
of pittsburg county seldom return a
verdict TO hang criminal Ii can be
stated they seldom turn an accused
loose II there be evidence 10 convict.
Bnt the illustration is worth while
Why so many people with murder in
their hearts; why so many crimes?
Prosperity reigns supreme in Pitts.
burg county There are few people
able 10 work but can find employ
ment at wage sufficient to sustain
iife. There Is really no cold weath.
er--the climate is mild and there is
little TO lead one TO wish to tempt
death via the crime route.
The moral standard at McAlester,
one Of the larger cities OF the state,
Is excellent. rnere the old ferri-
ttrial division OF she higher Masonic
bodies meet; there Elkdom Is strong,
whilst knights OF Pythiag, Odd Eel.
lows and various other orders of Ma.
tional fame flourish: there. 100. are
some OF the largest congregations OF
Christians IN the Southwest and there
Is a society second 10 none In mo. al
and mental att3inments for the bet
ierment oi mankind. II Is but fair TO
assert ne county, as a wnole, ! nnca
like tue capitai and Ia gest city.
rs Il not q repetition OF too many
oklahoma casesg Have mol few des.
peradoes been allowed TOO long the
society OF each other, TOO long en-
loyed freedom that should nor Dc
theirs?
While the criminal record Is .ohe
~t' Gnu ~ ~ Also utiuDHS III more
lnan one instance. Il is equally true
tnat the percentage OF convictions in
large. lne authorities have surely
noi allowed grass to get In the way
of prosecution and heavy pensnies a.
ter commission of crimes OF Offend
ing parties.
ine nignest enlightenment does not
allow Of the infilction Of the death
penalty, bur whe criminals SO long
disregard one law, perhaps 1t is bet.
tef 10 enforce that law BY the strict
est severity II one Oklahoma eoan
~ can have more than sixty murders
attempted and successful. does il not
follow that the cessation means a
Ike number Of the most severe pen
allies infllcted9
There is no malice IN the sugees
tlon.s No one outside OF those n nome
where the facts can be sfrefntably
verified has q light TO mention other
than general affairs. But the state
I. "a Oklahoma inienos thai its penal III.
stitutions shall be utilized FOR those
criminals, who force others Ia NJ.
tect society from their rsyaaes. the
state OF oklahoma offers to all indy.
1tffQio who win h.tt 49,. -