Publication information

Source:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Source type: newspaper
Document type: article
Document title: “Special Law Needed for Such Attacks”
Author(s): anonymous
City of publication: St. Louis, Missouri
Date of publication: 8 September 1901
Volume number: 54
Issue number: 18
Part/Section: 2
Pagination: 5

 
Citation
“Special Law Needed for Such Attacks.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch 8 Sept. 1901 v54n18: part 2, p. 5.
 
Transcription
full text
 
Keywords
James M. Beck (public statements); presidential assassination (laws against).
 
Named persons
James M. Beck; Leon Czolgosz.
 
Document


Special Law Needed for Such Attacks

POST-DISPATCH BUREAU,          
1347 Pennsylvania Avenue.     

     WASHINGTON, Sept. 7.—The inadequacy of the punishment that can be given Czolgosz is not only greatly deprecated by citizens generally, but the high legal authorities of the government. While admitting that no law provides for the exclusion or deportation of anarchists and none that makes an assault upon the President an ultra criminal offense, Acting Attorney-General Beck today said:
     “That there ought to be such legislation is perfectly clear. There are statutes which make punishable personal violence to minor officials, such as internal revenue agents, but it is passing strange that, notwithstanding the fact two Presidents have been assassinated and attempts have been made upon the lives of two more, no law has ever been passed to place an attempt on the life of the President on the same plane as high treason.
     “Where such an attempt had no reference to the presidential office and was committed within the territorial limits of a state there might be some question as to the power of Congress to legislate, but where it is clear that the attempt has been made not upon the individual, but upon the President for the purpose of promoting anarcity [sic] and thus subverting the government, the right of the Federal government to protect its chief executive seems too clear for question.
     “If the President should be spared to the American people, it is to be feared that the assassin can be convicted for no higher crime than an assault with intent to kill.”