226 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



words quoted be deemed an exaggeration of 

 facts, the influence of corrupt politicians, 

 present in the courts of justice as every- 

 where else, must always be taken into 

 account ; and in an address delivered to a 

 large audience not a year ago, a prominent 

 judge called attention in scathing terms to 

 the inadequate number of convictions as 

 compared with the number of proven 

 criminals. 



If it be conceded, then, in regard to this 

 matter of lynching, that in some sections at 

 least exasperated communities have cause for 

 loss of faith in those whose duty it is to pro- 

 tect them from dangerous persons, we must 

 go a little further yet and take into considera- 

 tion the hideous provocation that turns for 

 the nonce apparently civilized men into brute 

 beasts. Yet hitherto every attempt to con- 

 front this difficult question with moderation, 

 or in the spirit of equity, has been looked on 

 with distrust and suspicion by those removed 

 from the scene of action ; while at the same 

 time it is admitted that the root of the trouble 

 remains to all intents and purposes untouched. 

 Misplaced sentiment concerning the criminal 



