El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-11-23
WHAT is THE USE OF COURTS WHEN
A GOVERNOR CAN DO AS HE WILL?

WHY NOT abolish the criminal courts New Mexico and
sl leave the administration Of Justice in the hands Of
governor Larrazolo? It would lot Of money and
busy citizens would not have to waste their time serving
grand juies and trial uTes The mere fact that
have pleaded guilty Of having taken human life wantonly
does not TO make any difference the fact that they
regularly indicted by grand jury and regularly tried
in open court before jury constituted with every regard
for insng to the accused their constitutional rights
The governor excuses his action BY saying that the
Columbus raiders acting under Villas orders and
therefore not criminally liable.
So, applying the governors argument logically If fol-
lows that every murderer who has acted under Villas orders
committing crime is not criminally liable
Since villa has been pardoned by the president Of Mex
co Villas agents have been pardoned by the governor
of New Mezeo-hys only come to the conclusion
that wrong committed, there was never any
Columbus raid there was never any Pershlng punitive e
petition.
The only folks who seem to have got the worst of it
the people Vz and his agents murdered and the
Vistas who hanged IN New Mexico before governor
Larraz0lo was in position to prevent it.
The calm, orderly law respecting conduct Of the people
Of Columbus and Luna county toward the identified
members Of Villas band Of assassins every way
admirable splendid example 70 other states set by
the New Mecans II the way in which, few weeks after
me 1o sI II passionate recoecon OF the outrage they
RETAINED from single dsordery act but quietly set about
trying the cases through the regular courts by the normal
processes Of law.
It is wen to recall that at the trial Of the first men cap
tured certain attempts at interference made by repre-
sentatTes Of the national government Before the Fan
committee judge Msder who presided at the trials testified
that he vas Urged BY special agent Of the department Of
justice acting under telegaphc orders from the attorney
general OF the United states, not to let the to
trial. that like protest against continuing With the plan
for immediate trial made by Gen Funston,
manng the southern department. and by the secretary Of
state var these protests grounded the feaT that
the trial Of the villa raiders would involve the United
States in complications with Mexico.
Judge Medler told the special agent that he no
to defer the trial The judges testimony further
shows that another protest made to him against pro
ceedng with the trial By the United States district ator
nsy at Albuquerque acting under direct orders Of the
attorney general Judge Medler resented the Implication
that the trial might not be fair and demanded that this
second protest. which telephoned should be presented
open court was that Of the special agent Of Ehe de-
partment Of justice at Judge Medlers request.
The trial proceeded Judge Medlsrs attitude toward the
ATTEMPTED interference from Washington in every way
proper consndabe lawful and patriotic and It is vel
to remember his part in the drama.
Testimony Of judge Medler before the FAN committee
further shows that subsequently to the capital sentence
the first Zone sentence later oommuted to life
Imprisonment by governor McDouald), reprieves were
granted Tor further investigation (judge Medles recoec
that the request from the president) and
the record sent 10 Washington and examined @y the
president his legal advisers
The Implication is that the national executive could not
find grounds for further action. Two Of the
hanged Demng and further repeyes were granted to
five, Of whom four were hanged some time later.
The men whom governor Larrazolo has paTdoned I
under similar charges brought up Ike defences were
regularly tried and convicted sentenced As to the
convicted in the first trials judge Medler says IN his
testimony before the FAN committee:
Their evidence practically confession evidence
given By themselves that they present and engaged
we're IN the military service Of Francisco villa and acting
under military orders
r. the time Of the capture Of the raiders they had
been turned to military court for trial there would