Tombstone Epitaph

CHANGE IN LAW
An Experiment Which Results
Will Determine

The new code which is now the
law of Arizona, in force and effect,
and there are several matters of interest
to the live stock industry besides the new law
exclusively their own. One of the several new departures
is the repeal of the old statute making the theft of an
animal, regardless of its real value, grand larceny.
It was argued that because of the severe
penalties, convictions could not be had
in the courts; that the stealing of a
five dollar calf would not be considered grand larceny,
even if the statute called it such, and that because of
this a man charged with such offense
would often be turned loose rather
than give him an overdose of justice.
As it now stands such an offense
would come within the jurisdiction of
the justice courts of the county, and
while the penalty will not be so severe,
justice will be more often meted out.
The old way has been tried for many
years, and it is a matter of history as
to how the law worked. Now let the
new idea prevail for a while and it
can be seen as to which of the statutes
will be more effective in keeping down
crime of this nature. While the
statute in its present form has
many advocates, there are many
others who believe that it will have an
effect the very opposite from that
hoped for. Time will tell. - Southwestern Stockman.