The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-10
SAYS BILL WOULD
HANDICAP POLICE
Captain Mcmahon Opposes Pro
posed Law Which Would Pro-
hibit Sweating" Prisoners.
MAKE STATE CROOKS MECCA
Measure Passes Senate, but Of
hcials Hope to Defeat 1t
i'll the House.

IF Senate bin No. CO passes tho
Leg islature. Virginia in general, and
Richmond and other of the large cites
In particular. VIII be made a Mecca for
professional thieves and crooks OF all
classes. said Captain OF Detectives Nc
which was introduced by Senator II. s.
blackburn Smith. Of Clarke County,
Is aimed to prevent tho sweating of
prisoners charged with crime. and to
prevent the admission as evidence in
virginia of confessions obtained by
su,n process"
The ban, which also provides a nnc
ana Jail sentence for police officers who
violate II, passed the Senate last week.
ana viii come before the House Com
mittce for Courts of Justice this morn
ing 1T o'clock
Urge It's Defeat In House.
Inc bill WAS brought to the attcn-
ton of Chief OF Police Werner some
time age. but little attention was paid
dld IT become known at police head
quarters that II had passed the upper
branch Of the General Assembly. Cap
tam McMahon promptly reported tho
matter TO Mayor Ainslie. with the re
quest that steps he taken to have it
defeated in tho House. Mayor AinsliS
called in Assistant city Attorney An
dciSon. and after 4 conference. ii was
Decided that Colonel anderson. Captain
and others would appear before tho
committee for Courts Of Justice and
ask that the bin be not favorably re
ported lntii now no steps have been
taken 10 prevent its passage.
II this PIN Is enacted into a law"
s SAL. !. C :, Ia Mcmahon. III Will give
the police. Not only will il he taken
advantage of by local crooks, but pro-
attracted here. If the Legislature secs
lit TO enact this law our citizens will
not DO safe from criminals
TT rhi I'd, Degree" Misnnderstood.
often called the third degree {; much
abused term aud widely misundcr-
STOOD: II Senator Smiths bin becomes
Il law " will mean that no police OIL
Ger can question {, suspect or any pris-
oner without term in jail staring
make US almost powcrlcss. because. the
Interrogation OF prisoners charged
with serious crimes, immediately after
nrr n, ~ very important function.
ana Is inc basis OF building up cvi-
d"ncc, that the guilty might be con
N'cted and the innocent indicated"
The BIll,
Senator Smiths bill follows:
DO IL enacted by the General AS
sem6ly OF Virginia. That what is com
h niomig known as sweating is hereby
nehncd to be the questioning OF a per-
son In custody charged with crime in
III attempt to obtain Information from
him concerning his connection with
crime or knowledge thereof. after he
mas been arrested and in custody 40
stated by plying him with questions
mem.s' such as mitigation OF punish
ment or other wrongful means. .x
.ornns from him information to be
USED against him az testimony upnn
ms trial for such alleged crime.
~ shaii be unlawful for any sheriff.
Jailer, marshal, constable, policeman
or other officer, or any peace officer
or any person charged with crime. 10
sweat such person or permit any otber
person so To do while such prisoner ia
III charge of such officer. or in ,be
custody custody Of the law, charged with AN
That no confession obtained by
means OF sweating, as defined herein
shall be permitted as evidence in any
court OF law in this state, but shall
he deemed 10 have been obtained bv
uuress, III II be shown that such con-
Iession was made after the arrest of
ne party charged with crime and
"nlie he was III custody OF the law
Any person violating the provisions
OF TINS act shall. upon conviction. b,.
lhcd IN an amount not less than 500
nor more than $500, or confined in the
county, jan not less than ten nor more
man SIXTY days. or both such fine and
Imprisonment i'll the discretion OF the
court or jury trying the case
All laws or parts of laws in conflict
Win TINS act are hereby repealed"