False Pleas For Criminals

That crime is on the increase in our state, and indeed in the whole country, is a well known fact. Honest minded citizens are troubled to know what is to be the result if this state of things is perraitted to go on unchecked. One thing is evident, public opinión must be educated up to the point that the safety of the community demands a more rigorou3 executioi' of the Uws in the punishment of crimináis. That there is need oí improvement in this line can hardly be a question. It is humiliating to notice what false pleas are suffered to prevail in our court3 of justice, and what unworthy efforts are put forth to shield the offender, and mitígate the severity of the sentence. No matter how enormous may be the crime, or clear and convicting the evidence, it is a matter of great uncertainty whether the offender will ever receive his deserved punishment. It is a common ocsurrence for sorne judge to be hunted up who will grant a stay of pruceeding?, and on the most frivolous grounds, for a higher court to remand back the case for a new trial. There are crimináis whose guilt is clear and undeniable who have been adjudged to state's prison, aod are hoppitably entertained under a formal show of restraint in our county penitentiaries. After a lingering course of delay these very men will be allowed to escape punishment altogether and go out into society to perpétrate even more glaring enormities. This matter of " compounding crimes " alsn needs to be taken in hand. " It you will pay back a certain amount of the money you have stolen from me, I will not appear against you." This is openly said in almost all communities, and they are blots upon our civilization, and should not be tolerated. Just now we have a new plea interposed for the relief of crimináis under sentence after conviction. They are said to be seriously indieposed and actually to be suffering from some incurable malady. In one of our prominent cities a 'man of some prominence was under indictment for bribery which ivas clearly established, but he became exceedingly ill, even alarmingly sick, and the physician testified that he was lying at the point of death. The tender-hearted CDurt could not, under the sad circumstances, press the indictment, and he was allowed to return from bis temporary restraint to his home to die of consumption. His malady at once assumed a most favorable turo, and the improvement in health was most remarkable. But the indictment has not been called up for trial, and if it should be, there would be in the case of this criminal a most sudden and dangerous relapse. It is moet disgusting to read in every day's report concerning the health of that notorious rich thug, Jacob Sharp, that he is gradually growing weaker and has one foot already in the grave. It may be true, but we are disposed to doubt the accuracy of the report. He certainly displayed a short time ago a most astoniehing amount of physical endurance, when he was on the street manipulating corporations to his personal benefit to the extent of hundreds of thousands of dollars. What we say is this- public opinión should be aroused to the necessity of punishing crime and protecting society.