Evening star., 1932-12-29
Burns Case Raises Question
Of Proper Treatment of Crime

Refusal of Gov. Moore of New Jersey
to grant extraction for Robert Elliott
Burns, former member of a Georgia
chain gang, is viewed from different
standpoints by the public. Some feel
that the effect Of firm treatment on
crime is an important consideration.
Others believe that as result of the
favorable action in his case the man
who was freed will become a more use
full citizen.
Tendency to make heroes out of
criminals" is deplored by the Charleston
IS. c. Evening Post, which upholds
punishment ''aS a means to deter
others" That paper declares: THE
community Is callous enough toward the
fate of the unknown criminal, but let
one happen, through effort or accident,
to catch the public eye and he becomes
at once the man whom some group of
people delights to honor" The Boise
gardleSs of what happened at the prison
camp, Burns is an escaped convict, and
should be required to submit to the
course of the law" The Asbury Park
Evening Press advises that Justice must
be tempered with mercy, but sympathy
should not be allowed to emaSculate
Justice" That paper argues that when
society becomes too sympathetic in its
treatment of criminals it will not be
able to protect itself"
While believing that Burns was en-
titled to leniency, the Louisville Courier
Journal suggests that he should go
back to Atlanta and the Governor should
grant pardon" but points out that "the
is fugitive from it." The Memphis
Commercial Appeal, however, observing
that that ana IS sha the an
not not satished?" The Philadelphia Eve
ming Bulletin comments: From the
strictly 'legalistic point of view Georgia
had claim for the custody of its es-
capped convict, but Gov. Moore but
tressed his position with decisions con-
frming his discretion in responding to
a call for extradition. Burns and his
friends put a strong moral plea for
executive mercy in giving man fur
ther chance to 60 straight"
eve are by no means sorry" remarks
the Columbia Is. c. State, that Burns
has been given a big Christmas present
freedom and publicity. We would
hate to contribute to sending any one
to Georgia gang at this time of the
year. But why do so many people seem
to find it impossible to think straight?"
The Lincoln State Journal feels that
'sobbers'' seem to have been giving too
much attention to Georgia'S affairs,
mot with the treatment of the individ-
ual who was apparently tried and con-
victed in an orderly manner"
THE human side of the equation" !"
according to the Baltimore Sun. "is
that when a man like Gov. Moore Is
asked to send man back to Georgia
chain gang for a crime committed years
ago, after the man has served six years
and spent 10 more in comparative re-
spectability, the Governor is likely to
balk." The youngstown Vindicator
also views the matter In that light, OBJ
serving: "The State Of Georgia nat
urally attempted to bring about his
return, for he had not only escaped and
set bad example to other prisoners,
but had put Georgia and its prison sys-
tenn in q bad light before the whole
country. Under, the circumstances it
could do nothing else. Gov Moore Of
New Jersey, where Burns had taken
refuge, now refuses to give him up, de-
claring that he has paid sufficiently for
his crime, and offering him protection
against extradition so long as he leads
AN honest, upright life"
"Gov. Moore has taken what appears
to have been the popular course" says
the Springfield (Mass.) Union. with the
eurther cQRment: 1T 6 undoubtedly
UNUSUAL fatthe Governor Of orc STATE
TO refuse extZadition q N escaped