The Grenada sentinel., 1910-01-07

though the amendments were hamperet
by Objectionable restrictions, about
three-fourths of those who voted OF
that subject favored electing judges. Oul
present constitutional system is confess
edly based upon distrust of the ability
of the people to select this class of theil
owo officers, and requires the governor
to determine what the people could and
should be constitutionally to determine
for themselves the naming of those who
passed upon their lives and property.
Special Defects in Criminal Laws.
County attorneys should be created &c
that the state could be represented by
counsel in every court in which it has a
case. Prosecution, in some of the JUS
tices and municipal courts, when the
state is unrepresented, are worse than a
farce. Professional criminals seek these
COURTS at times, in order to obtain,
through acquittals or nominal fines, pro-
lection from the circuit or other courts.
The usual fine of one dollar, or other in
significant sum, encourages and licenses
crime. County attorneys could render
great and much-needed public service,
not only prosecuting misdemeanors in
Justices courts, but also felOnies investi-
gated for committal purposes. In the cir
cult court, with the benefit of special
knowledge of the facts and local sur.
roundings, he could be of valuable assist.
ance to the district attorney, giving the
grand jury attention when both it and
circuit court needed, at the same time
service of the states counsel He could
also represent the state and county in
civil proceedings, receiving compensation
on percentage of the money collected,
his other fees collectible from convicted
criminals
Liquor, Cocaine, Morphine and Deadly
Weapons.
Our statewide prohibition law is as
well, or better, enforced than our Sun
day, gambling, concealed weapons, bias.
phemy, and some other statutes. It's eff
feet is beneficial, and it meets the ap-
proval of vast majority of our citizen
ship. Probably, by oversight, the sec
tions authorizing attachment and collec-
tion of penalties for liquor selling, in
civil proceedings, was repealed by its
number. That provision should be re-
enacted and strengthened, and collections
authorized concurrently by the chancery
court in proceedings to enjoin blind tig-
ers as nusances. In some localities, for
a time, confirmed invalids openly defied
the state and city governments by fla
grant and continuous liquor selling, re-
lying upon physical infrmities as pro-
lection against the law. Appeals have
been made to me, and refused, for par
dons upon the ground that the commits
sion of this crime was the only way the
applicants could make a living The Sec
ond conviction, or proof of being an ha-
bitual liquor seller, ought to be felony, |
punishable, at the discretion of the
court, by fine or by penitentiary impris-
onment. The state has hospitals, well |
equipped, for taking care of its helpless
prisoners. Those making a profession of
crime ought to be sent and kept there.
Additional restrictions should be thrown
around sales of drugs containing cocaine
and morphine, with power in the court to
revoke the license to do business by
those making such illegal sales. No
man should be licensed, or given any au-
thority from the state, to conduct busi
ness or calling which is used as an in
for crime. All solicita
tion, aid or encouragement to illegal
sales of liquor, morphine or cocaine
should be prevented by being penalized
Is crimes. Sales and pawns of pistols,
links or other deadly weapons used only
or killing or manning people, should be
prohibited or restricted.
Reformatories.
Reformatories for youthful criminals
hould be established without further de-
ay. The cost will be small in compari-
ION with the great resulting benefit.
Hayward children and youthful Grim
nails should be removed from the paths
# temptation and subjected to elevating
Instruction. The arguments in favor of
his proposition are so obvious as to need .
10 restatement.
Depository Laws.
The law for creating repositories for
tate funds works admirably; it not only
revents any money being withdrawn
rom general circulation at times when
lost needed for marketing crops, but
ields handsome return. Similar depos-
;ories should be established for each of
he state institutions and for those of !.
ounties and municipalities. When COM
etitiye bids are required, banks are not
empted to use their means to elect such
,ndidates who will favor them with de-
osits of public funds, regardless of
ught else.
Senator A. ]. McLaurin's Death.
In conclusion, bring to your official
otice the recent and sudden death of