The Greenville morning herald. [volume] (Greenville, Tex.) 1890-1956, 1910-03-08

EIGHTH DISTRICT COURT
CONTINUED From First Page)
posed of the idle and often criminal
element We want our very best citi-
zens for such service and as usual
thing 1t is financial loss to men oil
this kind to serve on jures. How
ever. am glad to state that our citi-
zenship, to large extent at least,
regard this public service as para
mount to their private interests.
He stated that the conditions pre-
yailing throughout the Eighth District
were very favorable indeed, showing
strong moral sentiment against
lawlessness and disposition on the
part of the citizenship to assist and
encourage the officers in enforcing
the law. In this connection he said:
Il have just closed a six weeks
term of the district court at Sulphur
Springs and not a case was left on
the criminal docket and not one on
the jury civil docket The same cor
dltion practically exists in Delta and
Rims counueS This condition is
due, in great measure, TO the dis
rict attorney, whose plan Is aggres-
sive and whose efforts are to try ey-
cry case at the same term of court
that the bills are returned. This, in
my opinion, is the only way to sun
press crime, FOR if cases are continued
from term to term, il is almost i'm
possible to secure convictions and
punish, yiolators OF the law. Time is
great defender If a man is guilty.
let him be tried at once and his pun
ishment begin; If he is innocent, lei
him he acquitted.
He referred to the crime of murder
and stated that the dockets OF the
district were practically free OF mur-
der cases. This is magnificent
showing in view of the fact that Hop.I
kins and Hunt, two counties of the
district, have combined population
of something like 100000 people. ana
the condition of the district is one
that every good law abiding citizen
should feel proud Of"
He discussed the crime of rape and
stated that statutory rape, that is.
rape under the age OF consent, was
the most prevalent Some people do
not believe in statutory rape They
say, II the girl consents. the man
should not be punished regardless of
her age. However the legislature
thought there was need for such a
law, the iuries believed In il, the
courts approved it and every good clti.
zen who has the interests OF our girls
at heart endorses It most earnestly"
He also called attention to the Of
lenses of incest seduction, assault
with intent to murder and assault
with intent to rape. In this connec.
ton he said Il deplore the fact that
there exists a spirit not only in Hunt
county but all over the country. of
disregard for the courts. Some of the
people take the matter into their own
hands and intIict punishment regard
less of law and regardless Of courts,
and without any investigation. think
-he courts should be given a chance
20 punish the criminal If not, there
IS no need for courts. The offenses
II rape and assault to rape are ne.
iponsible for the uprising on the part
u the people. | believe this mob
pirit could be largely suppressed II
he legislature would amend the law
nd make the punishment for assault
rape hanging. Also the Iegisla.
lre should amend our criminal pro. a
ednre SO that more speedy trials a.,
ould be had aud to avoid unneces.
AIRY reyersals OF cases because of d
ONE Insignificant technlcality. But adj
ONE say the courts are slow and the al
lries win not do their duty and there. fr
ore mob law is Justified. say that q,
nearly every case when a mob in. X
arieres, II the matter be left TO n u
lry OF our good citizens. such as we n
suaily find our jurles composed of b,
ne death penalty would be inflicted HI
nd to state the contrary proposltlou IA,
a Islander upon our best citizen. IA
nip who believe IN law and the en-.
'rcement OF the same. But should ~
le law not authorize the death pen. 81
~. as II is with assault with In.
lie TO rape, the fault is not with the IA
'nrts and juries and the good pe,. -
e OF this county and state should
imand that the law be amended as
owe Indicated and then there would
no excuse for mob violence"
He next referred 10 perjury, burg hi
" violations OF the local option az
y and gambling In this connection an
said III Is a deplorable fact that ca
'st OF the burglary and perjury is ~
ng committed by the young men Y'
boys. II any such come before irr
! for investigation on such charg- oy'
do not temporlze with them on ac- int
mt OF their ages. but let the law az,