Show OVERDOING THE THING THE canadian government recently passed an extradition bill having special reference to fugitives from the united states naturally it placed the american colony in the dominion in a state of trepidation if not dismay and their efforts to block or hinder the measure it was as under consideration were ceaseless and powerful failing in this thiis they were led to believe that the home government would eventually veto the bill because of its retroactive features if for nothing else the british constitution is practically identical with ours in forbidding ex post faai legislation and it would seem that the hope of the escapes was not without some foundation there can be no question that the dominion parliament was carried beyond reason reasonable able ground in its zeal by reason of the constantly increasing accessions to the ranks of american criminals who flocked across the border to escape punishment regarding it as a disgrace to a civilized and progressive government to be a secure harbor whose hospitality amounted to an inducement the stimulus of excited determination luied her as far beyond the line of legal comity as she had previously been short of it one member of the government and of course a conspicuous citizen declared that all extradition laws were of necessity retroactive which shows that there are other walks of life in which that gentleman might shine more brightly than in the domain of statesmanship wherever there to is civilization and progress there will be found a sentiment antagonistic to making the crimes of the people fit the laws instead of vim vice versa and this feeling is sure to find its way into the national charter sooner or later it is not stating the case too strongly to say that if the new canadian law provides for the ex tradition of criminals whose refuge was obtained before the law was passed its passage was an empty formality as it is unconstitutional unconstitutional and void and if the law be correct all apprehensions of suspects or others who sought canadian protection prior to the laws existence by officers of the dominion or others are so many trespasses upon personal liberty if not actually criminal assaults |