The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-26
FRON O7EER PENS
MURDER IN TENNESSEE.

Murder has long been held a minor
offense in Tennessee. In accordance
with this theory. the courts now de-
clare Robin Cooper not guilty Of the
murder Of former Senator Carmack.
Killing ones fellow man in that state
is not even a misdemeanor, particu-
larly If politics be involved in the
case.
Cooper and his father killed Car
mack Both were convicted. Their
| cases were taken before the state su-
preme court for review. This court re
fused to take any action In relief of the
elder Cooper and Governor Patterson
Immediately pardoned him. Now the
son escapes all punishment for what
would be considered a capital offense
in most other states
The pardon of Cooper led to the
complete undoing of Patterson; and in
his fall he dragged down his party in
that state. For Tenn essee last week
elected a Republican governor. Politi-
cal events sometimes move swiftly
when some act of peculiar fragrance
incites a people to righteous indigna-
| ton.
Thus ends the Carmack incident. So
far as the courts are concerned, the
| primal right of a Tennessean to muir
der is established beyond cavil.-
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
FLOODS AS TYPHOID CURES.
Ever since the flood in Paris last
winter the statisticia.nS and scien fists
have been figuring about it, each in re-
gard to his own special subject. One
of the most interesting statements is
that made by DR.. Jacques Bertillon
who declares that the flood has caused
a diminution of of typhoid fever. One
of the worst results predicted at the
time was that epidemics would follow
In the "a districts that were flooded
there were "A deaths from typhoid in
three months before the flood and only
"a after it. In the district that SUI
fered the most, St. Gervais, there were
seven deaths in three months before
the food and only one in II weeks
afterWard. On the other hand, the 2e
districts that were not flooded had 2C
typhoid deaths before and 10 in ar
equal time after. In other words, ty-
phoid diminished rs per cent in the
flooded quarters and 10 per cent in the
rest of the city. Statistics collected
from Engla Id, Germany and austria
in regard to 90 foundations show thai
in only one instance CVienna In 1900
has there been an increase of typhoio
following a food, and that in a single
district.-Boston Globe.
AN EMPIRE UNDER WATER.
There are $4,000 600 acres of SWAMP
land in the south, vast areas bordering
the Mississippi river and forming tht
hinterland of Louisiana 1t is as If the
state Of Ohio were under water, r1cf
but in it's present condition incapable
of production an empire from Wnlcr
food and wealth might be taken, bu
which brings forth nothing for the ben.
eft of men more valuable than catfish
and wild fowl.
A convention is to meet in Memphi;
next week for the purpose Of discuss
ing projects for retaining these lands
An effort will be made to enlist the aic
of the federal government. There is NJ
reason why the government should no
perform the whole work-if that cal
be carried out os the work of irrigatine
: the western deserts is Under the pro
) visions of the reclamation act the farm
ers locating in each irrigation diStr1c
! will return every penny expended II
bringing water to the soil. The govern
ment loses nothing, sacrifices nothing
If the titles of the states and of pr1
vate owners will not serve as a barrte
} the federal government can scarce hest
tate to do for the south that which 1
Is doing for the far west.-Toledo Blade