Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-01-24
COHl Illent
WORTHWHILE AND
OTHERWISE, ON MAT
TIERS IMPORTANT and
UNIMPORTANT

A bill will be introduced in the pres
ent session of the Montana legislature
granting women the right to sit on
juries. One Montana paper, the
Roundup Tribune, suggests that first
it might be we'll to find out if women
wish to have the right and the un-
pleasant privilege bestowed upon
them.
This paper has been inclined to the
belief that the average woman is
disqualified to act as juror because
of her temperamental and emotional
nature, but we are always open to
q ehange of conviction. When one
sees the little interest great numbers
OF women take in public and govern
mental affairs, the question immedi-
ately rises as to their qualifications
to sit AZ jurors. However, the same
complaint can be lodged against men.
The argument is advanced that in
trials involving the so-called moral
iseue4. it would be easier to obtain u
fonviction from jury Of women than
from one Of men. Probably that is
true. II women are granted this priv
ilege, it II ! foregone conclusion that
many Of them will be ready to hang
TIN man or men who bestowed the
right (?) upon them.
Is Darwin's theory of evolution,
held as truth by countless thousands,
doomed for the discard and to be
cast into the limbo of disp<oven
theories! Now comes DR.. Austin H.
Clark, widely known biologist of the
u. s. National Museum, with a state
ment taking issue with much Of the
Darwinian theory, especially with
the one to the effect that man has
descended-or ascended-from an
cestors similar to the great apes.
Clark maintains that man was created
las is," that is in essentially the same
form as he possesses today. And
Clark is an outstanding biologist!
This incident is simply a fair ex-
ample of the contending and chang
ing beliefs and teachings of science
Today one theory is believed; tomor-
row it is proven partly or wholly
false. Yet countless intelligentia will
insist that nothing should be believed
as truth except that which has been
measured by this changing and un-
stable yardstick of science and de-
clared okeh.
This paper has long held, in gen.
eral way, the conviction that the Dar-
winian theory had certain elements
of truth, but we never have been
ready to follow every changing pro-
mulgation Of so-called science and to
discard most Of the beliefs that 5000
years Of civilization have declared to
be fundamental. In that regard we
believe in moving slowly. All honor to
science. In its field it is great serv-
ant of mankind, but its field has cer-
tain limitations.
George R. Harsh, wealthy young
student Of Oglethorpe university, in
Georgia, must hang for murder.
Harsh and companion held up and
robbed number Of stores. At the
last one, a drug store, the manager
was shot and killed. Harsh says the
robberies Tcre done "for the fun Of
the thing"
With on's Judgment biased by
emotion, one would say the verdict
is severe. But viewed -coldly and con-
sidering the proven and confessed
facts, our Judgment is that the YER
dict is wholly proper and tho pun
ishment just. These irresponsible and
care-free young criminals must be
taught that the law still holds human
life sacred, even though such belief
may be considered archaic by thc
young intellectuals whose philosophy
of life has advanced far beyond sucf
mid VICTORIAN sentimentalism.
Press dispatches Of Tuesday state
that former Kaiser Wilhelm has writ
ten book in which the Kaiser reit
crates his belief that might makes
right. Isn't it logical then to argue
that since the Allies in the Grea
War possessed more might than dix
Germany and her allies then ant
therefore the Allies must have beer
right? Of course, tfaat is a rathe
well exploded idea-the rightness 0
might-but it is fitting belief TO
war lords and monarchs "of the oil
school," Conceptions Of right an
wrong may change from generation
to generation, but there must be ulti
mate truth (and right, Nietzsche t