BRITISH AND AMERICAN METHODS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8824, 28 May 1907, Page 4

BRITISH AND AMERICAN METHODS.

The London Times draws a contrast between tho Thaw trial and that of Raynor, for the murder of Mr Whitolcy. “Tho subject matter of the two inquiries,” it remarks, “ lias not a few points of strong resemblance. In both the affairs of a millionaire come before a jury. In both there is a question as to the relations of men of wealth and position. with certain women. In both, there was an opportunity for the Yellow press‘of the two countries to publish or insinuate scandalous tales about tho antecedents of the two dead men. In the inquiry at the Old Bailey, and to all appearances in that going on in Yew York, the sole question to be determined was the state of mind of tho accused. Tiie circumstances of tho crimes and the question for the juries were curiously similar. Tho contrast between the procedure in the two trials could not be greater. Tholong nightmare of tho Thaw trial sti 1 goes on, and the end is still iutlcfi-

nitely distant. It began as far back as January 23. Days were occupied in empanelling the jury, and the amount of time spent in iieatod combats between counsel about immaterial points passes comprehension. The trial of Hay nor for much the same offence as that with which Thaw is charged is completed in a short day of about five hours. Even if Rayner had been wealthy, and if we can conceive medical evidence called on his behalf, the trial could not have been protracted beyond a second day. An eminent American j lawyer has lately said, with respect tr the administration of criminal justice in his own country, ‘ The machine has become unworkable.’ We should not have ventured to use so strong a phrase. But the facts of the Thaw trial and the contrast which wo have drawn suggcsb'that this judgment, though harsh, may be true. Wo may bo thankful that so far we have small experience of trials which are almost as mischievous to society as the crimes which arc investigated.”