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Editorial
September 19, 1879
Washington Standard
Olympia, Thurston County, Washington
What is this article about?
Editorial argues that while lynch law is rarely justified, a case like a man shouting 'Fire!' on a crowded New York steamer to enable pickpocketing warrants severe vigilante punishment beyond the mere $10 fine, such as throwing him overboard.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Nobody likes to admit that lynch law would be right under any circumstances, yet there is little doubt that there are cases in which lynch law would be highly beneficial, to say the least. An instance of this kind occurred in New York Bay the other day. The steamer Sylvan Dell was returning from Coney Island, with 700 people on board, mostly women and children. In this crowded boat a man rushed up from below shouting "Fire! Fire!" Instantly a scene of indescribable terror and confusion followed, and many were with difficulty restrained from jumping overboard. The man was arrested and it was found that he raised the cry to give his fellow pickpockets a chance to "work" the crowd. He was ultimately fined $10. This seems to be all the law can do in such a case. Yet the man who maliciously cries "fire" in a crowded theater or steamer ought to suffer for it. If the steamboat authorities had chucked that villain overboard no one in Detroit would feel angry enough about the matter to go to New York and make a fuss about it.—Detroit Free Press.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Or Punishment
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Lynch Law
False Fire Alarm
Public Panic
Vigilante Justice
Pickpocketing
Steamer Incident
What entities or persons were involved?
Steamer Sylvan Dell
The Man Who Cried Fire
Detroit Free Press
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Justification Of Lynch Law In Public Endangerment Cases
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Vigilante Action When Legal Penalties Are Insufficient
Key Figures
Steamer Sylvan Dell
The Man Who Cried Fire
Detroit Free Press
Key Arguments
Lynch Law Can Be Beneficial In Certain Circumstances Despite General Disapproval
A Man Falsely Shouted 'Fire!' On A Crowded Steamer To Aid Pickpockets, Causing Panic
The Man Was Fined Only $10, Which Is Inadequate Punishment
Vigilante Action Like Throwing The Man Overboard Would Be Appropriate And Uncontroversial