The Pensacola journal., 1922-12-27

CLEVELAND, O., Dec, 25.-"Ameri-
ca is still living on the remnants of
the old British system of jurispru-
dence brought over before the Ameri-
can Revolution. That is one reason
why many individual American
states have more executions annual
ly than all OF England and Wales
combined"
Sir Basil Thomson, X. c. b, for
mer head of the criminal investiga- =
ton bureau of Scotland Yard, Brit
aims world famous detective esrvice.
makes this declaration. Thomson is
lawyer of note, too, SO he is quail
fled to discuss the legal phases. His
ability as q detective was attested
by his appointment as British direc-
tor Of intelligence during the war.
The old British penal code was
terribly severe" continued Sir Basil.
"A man could be hanged for the theft
Of SO. Long prison terms could be
imposed on persons who We're in debt.
AS the injustice of such penalties
became apparent, judges were wont
- allow defendants to raise every
possible legal Quibble or technicality
to save themselves. BY the time the
coonies brought over this court sys-
tenn, the procedure was filled with
many of these legal steps for delay
ing sentence.
Then came the reform OF the
British penal system early in the
nineteenth century. The penalties
We're made more in keeping with the
crimes.
Less Loopholes.
with reduction of the penalties
came also reduction OF the number
of loophoIes WHICH had been allowed
to creep into the old system. The
result is that a person convicted of
a crime cannot use appeals, demur-
rers and other procedure to delay
execution Of sentence until public in
tereSt in the case is gone and" free
dom can be won on some quibble.
After conviction, the penalty is
made to fit the case. Political pres
sures cannot be brought to bear for
reduction Of sentence. Even the
Home Secretary cannot act, as the
dead weight Of his bureaus tradition
is against him.
England has for years stressed
the sacredness OF the sentence. until
even the high government officials
would hesitate to seek any rnitiga-
ton. The general feeling is that ali
the beneficial effects OF the reformed
criminal code would be lost if this
were allowed.
"As a result of this system, it
might be noted that in England and
Wales. with $4,000, 900 population,
there are only seven executions a
year.
America mitigated the severe
penalties of the old English code.
but kept all Of the old loopholes
allowing delays. - America adopted
the indeterminate sentence, but
after studying it, decided
that it would be harmful to give to
laymen the power of setting aside
the Judgment Of the judge and jury
who heard all of the details of the
case"
Gun a Crime Factor.
"Do YOU think promiscuous own
ing Of firearms is a factor in crime"
Sir Basil was asked.
Decidedly So" was the reply
The pistols act in England, which
is drasticaliy enforced. requires a
license from police before gun can
be purchased. The license applica-
ton must show some real reason for
the issuance-not just the fact that
the applicant is a reputable citizen.
There are no displays OF firearms
in pawhshop windows. Gunsmiths
show pons--but they do not sell
them without A license being pro-
duced They would be heavily fined
If they did.
"Remember. too. that the police do
not carry pistols in England. The
baton IS their Sole weapon. As re-
sistance Of arrest brings double or
triple the punishment for the original
crime. there is but little trouble in
arresting prisoners. This would not
as the casa tf firsarms Were freely