Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-09
PRISONERS SHOULD Be APART
Judge Sears Gives His Views on the
Confinement of Prisoners.
WOULD ABOLISH GRAND JURY
sheriffs Think the InstItution Is Of
Little Use aud could Easily BE
Done Awat win by the
County.

In combining certain classes of criminals,
particularly the young, under conditions
such as are known to exist in some Of our
penal institutions. the state commits
greater crime against the individual than
the individual could possibly commit
against the state" Such was the state
ment made by Judge Wills @. Sears Of
the district court Tuesday morning before
the second days convention OF the National
Sheriffs' association.
1T is a statement that would not make
before any but a body of sheriffs." said
Judge Sears, after declaring that he had
been Mortified by discoveries that he had
made. and pleading for the segregation in
our prisons of the sexes and OF the young
unhardened criminal as distinguished from
the chronic"
For the second day of the convention
the -sheriffs met at 10 o'clock Tuesday
| morning at the court house. Addresses
were the order Of the morning, as prac-
| ticaliy all the business OF the convention
Is slated for the Wednesday session.
Politics, however, is still simmering
| warmly The Dunkel men. who are out for
]. NJ Dunkel OF Grand Island president Of
the state association, for the presidency OF
| the national body, appeared for the first
time Tuesday morning with large Dunkel
ribbons attached to their lapels. The back
ers OF Louis Bckhardt OF Davenport, Ia,
are all working hard and IL looks like a
close race between Eckhardt and Dunkel.
Less and less is heard about the reelection
Of the present president Charles w. Peters
OF Chicago, III.
Responsibility of sherIffs.
Judge Sears advised the sherlffs that
they could be constructive in their work,
/ a
ing up of offenders against the law. He
emphasized the responsibility that nes
in the office Of the sheriff
THE sheriff" he said, las distinguished
from the police force, is looked upon a.
the active force of the county as soon as
he takes his office. You men, who dove
tail directly into the political machinery
Of the state and nation, should not confine
yourself to the matter OF fees alone"
''Bilr' Lofts. the sheriff Of Lynn county
Iowa, made a short and vehement speech
aimed at the adjustment of the grand
jury system and the detachment Of the
sheriffs office from the direct control OF
the county supervisors, that scored a great
hit with the convention.
THE grand jury" he said, rs the mos
burdensome, nonsensical thing among ou
present-day institutions. An immens
amount OF expense could be obviated b.
having the work done through the regular
channels.
'As for the board Of county supervisors,
he said, 1T and the sheriffs office SHOULD
be divorced at once, and the sheriff be pu
under the direct control OF the court, o
which he is in reality an officer and al
arm. The court can understand and ap
preciate the work of the sheriff where tn
county boards never could"
To Work for Good Roads
Sheriff Lofts also spoke OF good road
and was we'll received when he advocate,
fewer speeches and banquets and puttlnt
to work OF the "Jail-birds." Lofts Is can
didate for the republican nomination 70
congress from the Fifth district of Iowa
James NJ. Dunkel president OF the stat
association of Nebraska. was called upoi
for a speech, but replied very briefly, ex
tending a most hearty welcome to all fror
the sheriffs OF Nebraska.
J. w. Gregor OF Minneapolis, Mimi, In
troduced the father of the organizatio
and It's president for many years. spoke o.
THE Defender OF the Cameron Dam" II
, briefly narrated the story of John Diet,
, who is now serving life sentence for tn
murder of a deputy sheriff. and drew a
4 eloquent picture of the ultimate power an
the majesty Of the law
Tuesday afternoon the sheriffs wer
given a ride through the city and recer
ton at the plant Of the Storz Brewin
company. In the evening they are to b
|, entertained at the Rome summer gardeI
a The meeting place Of the next conventio
:, is not at the choosing OF the delegates, bl
% is left entirely with the officers OF the al
sociation. Invitations have been received $
=, far from n number OF cities, includiu
: Chicago, ST. Paul. Little Rock Cedar Raj
>, Ids and Burlington.