Dolly Parton once wrote a song called “In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).”
A great song that capsulated what it was like living back then.
It makes you wonder what it was like in Oliver more than 50 years ago.
Looking through old issues of the Chronicle makes for an interesting read, particularly when you see the prices of goods. Now those were the good old days.
In 1957 you could buy a 14-inch pipe wrench for $2.19, or a hunter’s axe for a dollar more.
A new refrigerator cost $329, while a new electric range would set you back only $279.
But for us we got a kick out of the penal system, which was expedient and “just” in the good old days.
One day this fellow caused a disturbance at the Oliver Café. His punishment: 60 days in jail at Oakalla Prison Farm.
Today, if you cause a disturbance, you’ll likely get a warning or a few hours of community service work.
In August of 1957 a motorist was caught speeding and fined $50, over and above his 25 days of imprisonment. Today, you’d never see the inside of a jail cell for speeding, although the fines are higher.
One guy was found drunk in a public place, so his punishment was 20 days in jail.
Crossing a double solid line made another man $12 poorer, while one minor in possession of liquor was fined $25.
Pedeling without a trades licence set one guy back $25.
A juvenile convicted of breaking and entering (and theft) had to serve six months probation.
One juvenile convicted of the same offence was raised to adult court, where he was fined $25 and placed on probation for six months.
The moral of the story: our justice system sucks. Period. Yes, there are far more intelligent words to use in this case, but “sucks” is a good way to describe our system.
Back then the sentences had meaning and deterrence, unlike today when lawbreakers are afforded every measure of liberty in the books, while the victim suffers the indignity of a system that feigns to care.
In the good old days, when times were bad, crime against your fellow man was considered an atrocious act that brought swift and stern punishment. Today, it’s just another crime and another court case that drags on for months.
You have to wonder how long Wayne Belleville will have to wait before he sees any justice after being shot by a desperate fugitive in Oliver last month.
Bring back justice from the good old days. We sorely need it.
By Lyonel Doherty
