Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-06-17


power in elections, and they want
and demand protection.
Our judges, who are to try people
charged with crime, and the solic-
itors who are to represent the state
and society in the prosecution of
criminals are elected by direct vote
OF the people. Men charged with
murder, larceny, riot, gambling, car
ryfng concealed weapons, violations
of the prohibition laws and other
crimes, their relatives and friends,
choose between the candidates for
these important offices those who are
to try them. Is it human nature for
this political support or opposition to
have no effort or influence, con-
sciously or unconsciously, upon the
elected officer?
But we are told the people cannot
trust the selection of these important
officers to any other method than by
popular election. Who is it that can
not trust the election of the judge or
solicitor to some other method than
popular election Is it the peaceful.
law-abiding citizen? Who manifests
the most interest in the personnel of
the judge who is to try, and the solic-
itor who is to prosecute, the prisoner
charged with crime? Is it the law
| alb ding citizen, or the law-breaker?
The present method of electing
| judges and solicitors, with short
terms, makes the crowd, which in
cludes the lawless element, and the
lawless trust, and other criminals,
think they are the masters of these
| officials. At least, in the minds of the
crowd they made them and they can
upmake them, and, therefore, they
must yield allegiance to popular pref
udice and passion rather than to law
OF what moment is the constitution or
public statutes or the sanctity of law,
in the eyes or minds of lawless peo-
pie when they dare to have such low
respect for the ministers and high
priests of the law?
An Independent anfettered judici-
are, selected in the manner furthest
| removed from the influence of popu-
lar clamor, public prejudice or priv
ate interest, with long terms and sal
aries commensurate of their position,
is the most essential requisite in our
state for the suppression of crime,
! enforcement of law and perpetuation
of local self-goyernment.
The salaries should be high enough
and the terms long enough to elimi-
nate all possibility of political con-
tamination, and such as to warrant
and demand the conservation by our
ablest lawyers of their life-work &c
the service of their country on tht
bench.
These trial judges should be cloth
ed with more power and charged will
more responsibility in the enforce.
ment of the laws and the prevention
of crime. They should be given the
r ght to appoin@ remove and punist
deputies, bailiffs and other peace Of
ficers in their circuits, and there
should be a sufficient number of these
officers to prevent crime, disperst
mobs, apprehend criminals, enforce
the mandates of the courts and gen
orally to suppress lawlessness il
whatever form it may appear
After clothing the Judge with these
Ipowers, hold him responsible for en-,
forcement of the law in the circuit
and if he fails or abuses his power
or is weak or corrupt, let the chosen
representative of the people impeacf
or remove him from office.
You cannot depend upon sheriffi
elected every two years by the people
to dispense mobs. protect human life
against a mob, or to arrest the indi
fvidual member of a lawless band
when he either has been or expects Il
! be, elected by the votes of the mem
bers of the mob, their friends and rel
Iatives.
One of the most important func
tons in the suppression of crime il
its prevention by means of a strons
well organized constabulary undel
the control of and subject to the ord
ers of an impartial and fearless judge
AID this force of peace officers By
effectually abolishing the ownership
and traffic in pistols, and you vii
materially lower the percentage O
homicides and increase the number o
convictions for crime. Such a con
stabulary will not only be a menac.
to the lawless, but when crime is com
= mitted will furnish the surest means
of quick pursuit and intelligent ac
ton IN overtaking and arresting thu
criminal