| Publication information |
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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
,
.
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.”