Mr. Cross apparently intends next Session to introduce some BM
for the further repression of crimes of violence. He has asked the Magistrates in Session—first, to state whether they think the law against violent assaults strong enough; secondly, whether any cases of assault now punishable summarily should be sent up for trial ; thirdly, whether the maximum term of imprisonment to be summarily inflicted should be extended ; fourthly, whether flogging should be given ; and fifthly, whether flogging has been efficacious. We should say in reply, that the Magistrates' summary power should be increased to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, and solitary confmement for &stand last fortnight ; that every case in which permanent injury had been inflicted should be sent for trial ; and that attempts to murder by torture—kicking being expressly included under "torture "—should be made capital. The question of flogging, which is embarrassed by social considerations, could wait till those remedies had been tried.
Previous page
