The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1909-06-05
Mella u eFited Ties tinlunEals.

L
rim was presented with a loving eul
aud Secretary Robert Henderson with
watch charm as a testimonial OF
appreciation and regard on behalf q
their colleagues of the municipal ad
ministration.
Alderman W. D. Park, who acted
as spokesman for the donors of the
loving cup, fifty said that the people
Iof Donaldsonville, by their action in
eleeting MIR. Maurin to the mayoralty
for third term, had evidenced their
recognition of his worth as a leader
and his devotion to the principles
OF progress and Improvement and
the recipient of the graceful testi
monial, although taken completely by
surprise and Gknocked off his feet,
SO to speak, could not have made a
more effective response with plenty ot
time for preparation, than TO pledge
himself to a continuance of the pro-
gressive policy in the administration
of the affairs of the municipality that
has earned him the esteem and support
of his fellow citizens in such liberal
measure during the past four years.
Aside from personal and factional
preiudices, no one can justly gainsay
the statement that the spirit and ac-
complishments of the Maurin admin
istrations have been in accord with
the best ideals OF municipal govern
ment and have contributed materially
to the welfare and good name of the
town and It's people.
The mayor deserved the loving cup
and the compliments that went with it,
and, by the same token, so did Seere-
tary Robert Henderson merit the other
token and The pretty things th at Alder
man 3. j. Vega took occasion TO say
in his charming presentation speech.
Mr.. Henderson is a gentleman of ex.
ceedingly attractive personality quiet
and modest in the extreme, courteous
and eonsiderate always, and noted for
the efficiency with which he performs
every duty or undertaking that falls
to his lot. Every resident of Donald
sonyille, and everybody else who
knows him, will heartily indorse the
encomfums bestowed upon the genial
Outgoing town secretary and share in
the wishes for his future success, hap
piness and prosperity SO well ex-
pressed by the outgoing second ward
alderman.
"The Conviction of Capt. Hains.,,'
The country at large is TO be con-
graduated on the outcome of the trial
of Capt. Hams, of which too much
has been made in the public prints
The leading editorial of the New Or.
leans Picayune OF May Is under the
above caption cannot be too strongly
reprobated by all good citizens.
It is intolerable in civilized society
that any man, under any eiream-
stances, be permitted to be judge, jury
and executioner in his own case. The
right to levy private war and Wreak
priv ate vengeance is one of the rights
surrendered when man enters organ
lied society. When man, no matter
what the provocatIon, undertakes to
resume that right and transgresses the
majesty of the law, then for the safety
of society that majesty must be Winds
Gated by his punishment. A ciyiliza.
tion is still in a, rudimentary stage
whep such transgresstons are permit
ted and encouraged by public opinion.
The argumentum ad hominem has no
place in this discussion. The violence
is often committed under the Influence
Of fear Of what others might say and
think; often under the pressure of
violent passion. If the law fails to
give.ade quate remedy, then the law
ought to be amended and improved.
That is urquestionabie. The truth is,
however, that this class of breaches OF
the law arise more from desire for
private vengeance than anything else.
IF the offender is to be punished,
following the law secures what IN
reality is in most cases much severer
punishment than taking his life. That
the magnitude of the offense shall
be the detel mining principle as to
whether the administra of justice
shall proceed in orderly course, or
the injured individual be permitted to
erect himself into an autocrat to de.
cree a sentence and execute it with his
own hands, strikes at the very root of
organized society. Who is to judge
when the magnitude is great enough
Who is to determine the truth or
falsity of the charge?
Why is it that these pseudo defend-
ers OF woman's virtue, the instant
man is killed by another and a
woman's name and virtue are drawn
into the matter, assume as a conclusive
fact that the woman has been unchaste
and the murderer justified? Is a man
who feels himself outraged 10 this
manner a competent judge to fnvesti-
gate and determine the truth?
These and many more questions
press insistentiy for an answer. but
without response from the advocates
Of lawless and frres ponsible violence.
We cannot lay successful claim to
being fully civilized community iii
the minds Of those who aspire to be