The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-01-26
JUSTICE, LAW AND PUBLIC OPINION

Some months ago the Arbuckle case
had the country by the eyes and ears,
and the tongues even Of children were
wagging over the shameful dereliction
OF the movy clown. Reporting incl
dents of the filthy episode of the do
nestle life of some Of the players of
the silver screen formed feature for
most all newspapers. 1t has been a
case of anti-climaXes. Fatty was gen
orally condemned by public opinion,
and, at least there was the hope ex-
pressed, that the law would take its
course and the comedy star of many
feet of celluloid film would be made to
stand punishment.
But the case of Fatty it seems, is
one OF those where the application of
legal procedure cannot be brought
toursquare with public opinion. In the
procedure Of courts of justice certain
rules of law must necessarily be ap-
piled. While the public has been fur
nshed with moresthan enough evidence
to condemn utterly the obese Roscoe
Arbuckle. those conversant with legal
procedure have, from the beginning of
reports of his San Francisco drunken
episode, predicted that the case would
end just where it looks as though it
Will end, with Arbucke relieved from
further prosecution for the death of
he young woman victim Of the booze
party.
Viewed at distance, it appears that
he San Francisco prosecution authori-
les allowed themselves to be inhu-
need too largely by public opinion.
he case of Arbuckle offered those
authorities, backed by earnest women
t the Golden Gate city, an opportun
-y Of garnering in some reputation for l
themselves by eonvieting the movy
alstaf. They did not stop to analvze .
s they should just what bearing legal i
rocedure would ultimately have on u
ne case. They proceeded with zeal.
It ahame by the demands of public .
oinion. And the result may be that
ley will create for Arbuckle turn Of
lblic sentiment in his favor. Let us
ope not.
While the courts may not be able TO
nd Arbuckle guilty. technically or n'
.tually, Of base criminal intent, or is
able to impute such from his gross sr
isconduct ard his refusal 70 osubmit N
the responsibilities of morality. GIe
blic opinion has found him guilty N
.ready, apparently, the trend of the pa
bile mind has been such as TO result -
a sort Of housecleaning Of the II
lvies. Thus some justice has been
ne. And IL is TO be hoped that the
blic will not take as a vindication.
any sense, the release Of Arbuckle.
IN an aside it may be noted that the ev
ie has presented some apparent per ~
-sions, such as the forgetfulncss Of Ds
-nesses and various other attendant cal
idents of procedure that are dis gal
sting. 10 will be well when the ~
bic is free Of it except 20 remember ing
iciently for sustaining a desire 10 rec
no further repetition ami for con mo
1tly appealing for cleaner and bet t.t ,,le
moving pictures. m
% a measure the Arbuckle case is j
that Of Truman Newberrv. the me-
higan.senator. Public opinion gem -
.y condemns Newberry and the uler
hods by which be- was elected. and
berry says he was innocent. and
he was wholly ignorant of the ex- n
ituIe Of funds 90 his behalf. A C., ~
capable Il such ignorance is un- reor
Cd 90 wear. the senatorial t0Ea. chui
bic opinion seems prone TO con- Tor
% the United States Senate for AZ - -.
rg Newberry 70 maintain his seat r,
p again we come face 90 face with held
procedure. The United States eody
te. a. a matter Of public policy. '''
g have set aside Newberry's cleo
But such action would have set WI
leeedingly dangerous precedent Whit
uever much Younger Statesmen eeea
HpUbiicsnism and those II the op- is..
e political faith may rave. the Son.