Show REFORM CRIMINAL TRIALS That was a fine meeting between I Mr Bryan and Mr j Taft at the Chicago banquet and the speeches of both gentlemen were in the best of taste Mr l Taft aft still clings to his idea that the mode of procedure procedure procedure pro pro- in our courts should be changed and abridged to insure speedy trials Wo We have often expressed the same idea in editorials The great trouble rouble is that changes or modifications of the laws lawsha ha have lave ve been delivered in decisions of courts these have havo lave gone into state reports and are aro authorities for lawyers awyers and and- through them it is not difficult for a sharp harp and alert lawyer to make a showing that to toa a n. generous judge is enough to justify a new trial in n a case The whole criminal business should be overhauled for the laws law's delays but encourage toughs to take the risk of escaping punishment if they Jiey commit a crime Every possible security should be drawn around an accused man but he should not get away on a amere amere amere mere technical error and there thero should be prompt work vork We would abolish capital punishment but would at the same time curtail the pardoning power so o that before a man committed a crime he lie would know mow that if he did and was caught he would surely surely surey sure- sure ly y be punished Such knowledge would stay the theland hand land of many a thief and would-be would assassin |