Show TIlE THE rIE HARGIS DECISION Baltimore Amel American ican A cUlous curious chapter of crime crimo has been hoen closed close in Kentucky y by the freeing of Hargis and nd Callahan Calahan the two men who were under trial for the murder of Malcum Marcum Mar Mal cum urn tho the lawyer who prosecuted the tho cases ases of alleged fraud against them in connection with tho the election electon of county three years ago For this his deed of ot blood Curtis Curts Jett and Tom Torn White are serving life sentences It I t was the confession n said sid to have been leel made b by Jett upon which the prosecution relied for the conviction of or the acc accused sed Interest t was sas at the highest pitch pich and ind tho tho conviction of the men who were charged by hy Jett Jet to be the principals prin prin- In the Marcum tragedy ti seemed certain when their accuser who was brought broush from Jail Jai to testify on the witness ines stand repudiated his conCession confession confes confes- sion slon and took to himself all al blame for fOl forthe forthe the murder This turn In the case Is characteristic of tho the conditions attending attending at attending at- at tending the prosecution o of crime in iii connection with wih the feuds o of the mOl mountain districts of or Kentuck Kentucky Influences In Influences In- In are arc always alway at t work to mal make mako Justice difficult in these thes districts where liere family and friendly allegiance rises paramount to all al other consUl consid rime Tho real Inwardness of tho the Marcum tragedy may never be known but It Is to be feared that the tire ver- ver cr diet lct jl just t rendered will wm not mollify the venomous hatreds that the crime has brewed I Kentucky Kentuck is as law abiding as any other state but tire the peculiar conditions condi condi- tons that surround the prosecution of crime in tho the feud districts make It almost Impossible for the courts to execute undeviatingly the law If H Hargis and his fellow had been convicted convicted con con- animosity would have been as violent as a it Is with them declared Innocent innocent In Innocent In- In so that tho the peace of county could not have been advanced In either case casc It I Is to be hoped however cr that a better betm sentiment may prevail Tho Tiro freeing of HarGis and Callahan Calahan from Crom the tire charge of murder Is the tire last act In a legal contest extending ex ex- tending ending over oer 01 0 a period of three years ears and fraught with wih great virulence |