The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1922-09-29
MAKE HUMAN LIFE SAFE HERE

II il time that Fort Worth assert
"a the majesty Of the law and the
light Of the human being 10 Us pro-
lection and the enjoyment Of life,
liberty and pursuit Of happiness.
II is time that the streets and other
places Of Fort Worth are made UNI
safe for the killers who do not hest
tate 20 strike down men against
whom they have a real or fancied
grudge, depriving wives and chill
dren of their support, and usurping
the powers Of justice reserved TO
the people for orderly exercise thru
the system Of justice provided by
the constitution and the laws
Murderers and manners are walk
ing the streets today free men, while
citizens who have committed some
minor oifcnse are doing time behind
The bars or working on the chain
gang II is even alleged, and Is
common talk, that some Of these
killers have been out on bail in time
enough 10 stand in the crowd that
watched the undertakers move the
victim from the sidewalk, whore he
fell.
The lives Of honest citizens are
io0pardizcd. not only by the posi-
bility Of mistaken identity, but thru
the promiscuOus raining Of bullet
on crowded thorouPhfaros The law
takes human life only after the
most painstaking study Of the facts
with witnesses under oath. The kill
or Stays on the unsupported word
OF some garralous gossip or on the
mere promptings Of n jealous on
disordered brain.
An investigation Of some Of the
slayings where love or the protec-
ton Of the home is given as an ex-
cuse will reveal sOrdid sort Of love.
indeed, as the basis for the crime
II the slayers devoted their lives
20 making home life worth while,
no smoking automatic would he
need for its protection
The plea Of "self-dcfensc has
been made n mockery by the ease
with which II is raised and the
Nimsy pretexts which il is invok-
ed. One cure for this is the sup
preston Of Of unnecessary practice
of "gun-toting." another is a revis-
ion Of public sentiment that will
make occasion for such plea very
rare, and a third is 10 more careful
examination Of the merits Of such y
plea By our juries.
The easy bailahility Of persons ac-
aused OF the capital crimes h. scan
dal. In few states outside Of Texas
r. firsf-daQree murder a hailahle Of
fense except in circumstances where
the guilt Of the accused is very un-
likely. Revision Of laws IN this Pc
gard is needed and stricter consrue-
ton Of the laws by the courts is
essential
Public Indifference on these SUBJ
ects does not prove that the public
has no convictions on the ma tef
but IL has permitted weakening Of
tandards on the part ~ n small
portion Of the par which, unless
checked. viii ultimately bring the
whole legal profession into disre
pute The Record does not make
the charge, but when the converse
ton Of reputable citizens upon the
streets declare that in some cases
lawyers, II one can so use an hon
orea name, have been retained in
advance Of Staying 20 defend the
prospective murderers, things have
come o. an alarming pass.
Unless the epidemic Of murder
and the disregard Of human lifo and
the rights, not only Of the victims
but Of their dependents and Of so
ciety is checked, the time may come
when an enraged people will rise
and rend the killers ard their ac-
cessories who, in the name Of the
law. bring disrepute upon The law
they are sworn 10 uphold.
The reputable members Of the
bar. that overwhelming majority Of