The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1921-07-28
GARY HIOTT, Editor and Mgr.
ARE OUR JUDGES TOO LEN,
lent?
Greenville Piedmont.


last week concluded it's presentmen
to Circuit Judge George E. Prince
presiding over the Court of Genera
Sessions, with these remarkabl
words:
eve desire to recommend, if W,
may be permitted to do so, that the
circuit iuds Is impose more severe
sentences in Oconee county for the
infrac,ion Of the criminal laws OF this
STATE. We especially call attention
10 the sentences Of this court at this
term tor violation Of prohibition laws
the s"n;'"@cs imposed in many eases
beIng hardly sufficient to defrav tho
costs OF arrest, and, in our judpm ont
IN no case sufficient to make an OK.
ample OF the offender for the deter-
renee Of others
for grand jury to tell the presid-
ing Judge, in effect, that his sentonc-
es were too light, is a most extraor-
dinary and unusual proceeding. Not
haVlng any Information as to the
eases referred 10 or as to what might
DC SAID in support of His Honor,s
course, The Piedmont cannot nos.
Judgment. but right or wrong. the
grand jury of Oconee county m
quHstlonahly has the courage to utter
lts convictions boldly.
The grand jury of Oconee is not
alone IN It's complaint that the sen
tences of the Judges are not severe
enough
The lorkvillc Enquirer yesterday
declared:
How are we ever going to cet
anywhere enforcing the prohibition
laws by giving offenders sentences
OF three months with two months sus-
pended during good behavior? The
people made those laws and the peo-
pie want them enforced. If thew
really want to stop violations of the
prohibition laws the sentences must
look something like two or three wears
without any first offense credit.
Whoever stopped selling liquor be-
cause OF sentence anyway?"
W. l.. Daniel, one Of the leaders
OF the Saluda bar, an alumnus and
trustee of Furman University and
brother of Assistant Attorney Cen
eral John M. Daniel Of Greenville. in
vigorous communication to the Co
lumbia State points out that i ;s
customary for circuit judges to
charge grand juries long and clearly
upon their duties as custodians of the
public peace to ferret out crime and
present for prosecution in court
those found engaged in lawlessness
But what is the use, if after being
nailed into court and convicted hy =
petit jury the effect is pract;ca,,y
naillhed by sentnce that must
often make the criminal positively
laugh?" asks Mr.. Daniel. an tho
case OF whskey making or whiskev
seiling, a small fine can easily be re-
couped through few sales"
The most striking and far-reachinp
criticism voiced by DR.. Daniel is this :.
why should this class Of Offend
ers, undermining morals and provok-
ing morals and provoking more crime
than perhaps any other class, be dealt
with lightly and practically assured
that II convicted only light fine
VIII be the penalty for the first Of
tense? What is there in the natur.
OF the case that entities these wh;s-
Key making and whiskey selling of-
tenders TO leniency for the first Of
1ense or for any such offense? It is
u premeditated, deliberate act. knourn
by such offender to be a crime. and
they have doubtless figured out and
perhaps laid aside from the illegal
making and selling of whisKey
enough to pay the contemplated
money fine. A chaingang sentenc,
would stagger them and be iolt
not only to themselves but to Others
Of their kind as we'll"
The logic Of that is inescapable
If the illicit liquor maker or selle,
is dealt with leniently for the frs,
offense, why not deal leniently with
the burglar, the rapist and the mur.
derer for the first offense?
Nor can there be any reply to the
conclusion of Mr.. Daniels arraign.
ment:
I'm very peculiar and vital sense
our judges are responsible for the
light regard in which the law and the
courts. are held by many of our
people; and 1T would seem in order
for them to ponder we'll the nranti-