Bentley
SIR,—The attack made by E.H. on Janus smacks of the spirit in which murders are committed. Nor certainly does it express the view of ordinary thoughtful folk. A keen and intelligent youth-group earnestly discussed the case on the eve of the execution, and were unanimous in their conviction that Bentley ought not to hang. Two statements were made which received general assent. (a) If Craig had been old enough to be executed, Bentley would have escaped the extreme penalty. The law was intent on a victim and, if it could not have-the chief culprit, would have his associate. (b) If the murdered man had not been a policeman, Bentley would have had his sentence commuted. If this is so, it is most disturbing; a higher price should not be set on the life of one type of man than on another.
These are only opinions, admittedly. Public opinion is not infallible. But in matters of justice and humanity the ordinary man is not often wrong; and certainly in a democratic country his view ought not to be ignored. So many of us sly " Thank you, Janus; you have rendered a service to the nation; and we do not like to see you bullied ! "—Yours
faithfully, PENDRIL BENTALL. 543 Crookesmoor Road, Sheffield, 10.
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