Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-06-06
WHAT'S H USE?

Last January. at the end of a trial in which he
was given every opportunity to present his case in
its least unfavorable light, William Fishman. of
Grand Forks, was convicted Of ~bootlegging. Dur
ing the trial the facts in his career were brought
out, and the record presented was of such character
that Judge Englert, in passing sentence, administer
ed to the prisoner a verbal castigation such as is sell
dom heard in a court room. In this the court called
attention to the dissolute life which the young man
had led, to the company which he kept, and at the
close sentenced the prisoner to three years in the
Penltentlary, the maximum penalty for this oHense-
In commenting on the cases in which sentence
had been imposed at that time-of which there were
severalEThe Herald said a day or two later:
There are persons among those Just sentenced
who have not done an honest. days work for months
orye7rs; who have had no visible means of support;
yet who have been able to live luxuriously and to
entertain themselves in expensive ways far beyond
the reach of the ordinary respectable working man,
even If the latters tastes had run in the same direc-.
ton The common understanding that these men
were engaged IN the regular and unlawful peddling
OF liquor tor proht has been sustained by the rec
ords OF the court, and the heavier sentences have
been tor this ofense or for crirninality growing out
of h--.--.A singing rebuke has been administered
to the tendency of the idle and the dissolute to live
without labor--..--lt is to be hoped that the les
sons taught will be thoroughly learned, not alone
by those who must now suffer the penalty of their
nisdeeds, but by al who maybe tempted into ways
OF id1eness and lawlessness-" -.
So much for that
Fishman, sentenced to three years imprison-
ment for ~offenses IN connection with which there
were no extenuating circumstances, gave notice of
appeal After two or three months in which his
counsel doubtless put forth dirigent effort to find
flaws IN the proceedings. Fishman surrendered him
self and was taken to the penitentiary, where he has
served about a month. Yesterday a dispatch from
Bismarck announced that he had been pardoned by
tie state board Of pardons.
What's the use?
OF what use is it to have. policemen, and sher-
nfs. and states attorneys, and Judges and juries 10
look after the enforcement Of the law if, after long
and laborious effort those convicted Of crime Of the
most fragrant character are To be turned loose al
most before the prison doors have closed on them?
he logical sequel in this case would be a news
paragraph tosthe general effect that Mr. Fishmran,
after ! few weeks devoted to rest and reeuperation,
has invested in ! new carsand will be found doing
business st the old stand Why shouldn't he?
What eonelnsion Is he 70 reach other than that laws
~ not intended to be enforced, and that ! penitean-
sfiAsy sentence is ! solerln farce? What conclusion
III any other young fellow 10 reach other thar that
II esay y vel 8 AFTER the easy noney and get It
wiile TIE getting Il coed
& Ihe 14test stty1e oa s hair, &. known !.
sAkfE hoise of cnfrection bobss-fnd looks the part.
----%---------I A@N
IL Eari NJ Balfour nnsf fha,nk sfr tdne that
sbegils hi f1selieuse of lords whese they are not Dis
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