The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-06-08
Bar Association Hears That Le-
gal Red Tape and MaudIin Sym
pathy Favor Criminals.
SWEEPING REFORMS URGED
Better Wipe Out All Rules Of Evidence
Than Keep Existing Ones, Says n.
W. Tsft-Radiesl Proposals
Heard.

New York.-Flogglngs Of hold.up
men. permission 10 the prosecutor TO
point 20 the failure Of defendant 10
,ake the stand as an evidence Of his
guilt. the discarding of many OF the
present rules Of evidence. the introduc-
tion Of a judge TO preside over Grand
Jury deliberations. the protection OF
judges from politicians demanding sus-
pended. or light sentences for crooks
and scores OF other proposals for the
reform OF criminal law and It's admin
isiratlon were made at the Bar Asso-
eistion, where a session was held by
the Committee on Law enforcement OF
the American Bar Association.
Flogging was not advocated. but
Judge Marcus Kayanaugh Of Chicago,
one Of the committeeman. called atten-
ton 10 It's operation In England. Cana
da and Delaware. where he said II had
been Of remarkable effect In suppress
sing hold-up men.
Henry w. Taft told the committee
that the interests OF justice would be
served II rules Of evidence In criminal
cases were wiped out entirely rather
than remain In existence as at present
In this state The allowing OF every
kind and variety OF hearsay and other
testimony. he said. would be preferable
to the present rules, which lean SO far
TO protect the accused.
While former Supreme Court Justice
John w Con. Supreme Court Justice
Norman Dixie OF Brooklyn and others,
arraigned the present state OF the law
and It's administration In permitting
criminals to escape, Judge Thomas @. |
4. Grain OF the Court Of General Ses-
slons. arraigned II from another angle
because OF its facilities for conylcting
the guilty. He said that improper
and unwarranted indictments by Grand
JuTles reached "amazing numbers"
and that too many convictions were
obtained by suspicious confessions"
which the police or other witnesses
testified that the crininal had made.
To correct these sources OF wrongs
against the innocent Judge Grain pro-
posed law making This type OF con
fession" lnadmisslble. unless the law
yer for the defendant was present at
the examination where Ii was made.
and proposed another law putting
Judge In charge Of Grand Jury hear
ings 10 throw out lmpertinent evidence
and TO make sure that all the good
evidence was admitted.
Ex-Judge Con suggested the dlsbar-
meni Of lawyers who gave Interviews
discussing the cases of their clients be.
fore trials Mr.. Tan complained that
the newspapers here do not report
trials the way the London Times and
the London Standard do and found
fault because he said no one could pre-
dict which side would win a case by
merely following the newspaper ac-
counts OF Il.
District Attorney Banton, on the
other hand. said that the newspapers,
In printing crime news fully. had fur
nlshed the motive power which pro-
dnced the public sentiment the needed
legislation and the speeding up of the
processes of justices. which 10 turn
put a sudden end 10 the excessive out
burst Of crime In this city.
seryative lawyers and Judges aroused
over tie bad state Of criminal justice
in this country. were received by ual
committee. which has heid i've previous
sessions IN various parts of the coun.l
try hearing from scores Of the most
distinguished jurists and lawyers 10 The
United states
The committee viii m he It's report
Ia the Americas Bar Association. which
vii urge state and Federal legislation
Is strengthen the arm of the country
il Hehtug the criminal From the
great Interest that has been stirred up
ameee lawyers all Over the csunrry
ara fbe public generally, 81 was pre-
aiefed mat the reeowmeulaflaus %
he committee wgald result 10 changes.
n unn-eee.le1tei sweep In tse cf.a.rai.
r,...,zfsra throughout fhe CHa GO
siges