BRITISH AND AMERICAN METHODS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13288, 17 May 1907, Page 3

BRITISH AND AMERICAN METHODS.

Ihe London " Times'' draws a contrast between the 'thaw trial and. that of lUiyner, lor the murder of -Mr Whitley. "'lhe subject matter of the two inquiries," it remarks, " has nob a few points of resemblance. In boh the affairs of a millionair© came before ajuiy. In both thero is a question as to the relations of nies of wealth and position with certain women. In both there was an opportunity for the Yellow press of the two countries to publish or insinuate scandalous tales about the antecedents of the two dead men. In the inquiry at the Old Bailey, and to all appearance- in that going on in 2*ew York, the sole question to be determined was the state of mind of the accused. The circumstances of the crimes and the question for the juries wera curiously similar. The contrast between the proceedure in the two trials could not be greater. The long nightmare of the Thaw trial still goes on. and the end is .still indefinitely distant. It began as far back as January 23. Days were occupied in empanelling the jury, and the amount of time spent in heated combats between counsel about immaterial points passes conception.. The trial of RayiKr for nrnrh the sam? offence as that with whir 1 ' Thaw is •"•barged is completed in ;>, rf'o- 1 day of about five hours. Even if Rayner had been wealthy, and if Wf> can eonceivo medical evidence railed on his behalf, the trial could not have been protracted beyond a second day. An em in -n f . American lawyer has ]at' : lv said, with re?oect to the administration nf'orimioal in his own comitrv. ' Tlje t0... -•■.nino li!>". become unworkable.* We should "•-it have ventured to us'- so stronnr a r>hra<-\ Bnf ihf- fa" J «•.of • the Thaw trial pod the contrast" which we ha.v", suggest that this judgment, though harsh, mat- be tr"e. Wo may be thankful fh<i f . srr. fir we have small experience of trials which are almost as mischievous to society as the crimes which are investigated."