Litchfield enquirer., 1857-02-05

THE EXISTENCE of crime in the City of New York, says the Waterbury American, has become perfectly unparalled in the history of the world We cannot open city paper that does not contain accounts of highway robberies always accompanied by violence. It E no longer safe place., even in the most ffe- quented streets. to be out at night. The common thoroughfares are sbeset by men whose business is garrotting and robbery and murder if necessary The fate of young Dcforest of Watertown is not known, but there is hardly doubt that he was murdered for his money Dr. Hoosaek was attacked on his very steps by those highway robbers. Young Dr. Post was attacked while sitting in his office rooni Judge Russell is endeavoring to see how far severe sentences upon those against whom the crime of highway robbery is proved will deter others The papers of the city, those of the most moderate stamp recommend the carrying of private arms- They ind that the police foree for which -thay pay enormously, is utterly inadequate to protect the lives and property of the citizens. The force is se- lected from these who have done good service at elections and who know that the votes of these gas rottlng scoundres arc necessary tor the preservation Of political power. Rowdyism, robbery and spccu- laton rule in New York. How long shall such things last? They bring disgrace upon liberal institu- tions and the power of tlfs ballot-box. They make men willing to submit even to monarchcal rule if they can be The resort to Vigilance Com
 
 much danger. But the time may come when it will be necessary alternative
 We give the follow ing, taken ndiseriminately from the New York papers, as specimens of the state of things in the city:
 ANOTHER ENCOUNTER WITH GARRoTTERs. Thurs day morning early, two gentlemen whose employ ment on amorning paper obliges them to keep rather inconvenient hours, while their way home pass ing through Ludlow street, near Delaney, saw man lurking about the corner. A short distance away two other men were discovered, and near by fourth Not far ot, the gentlemen came across man lying lnsensble on the ground his pantaloons pockets were inside out, and in his vest pockets found ball ticket and an order of dancing. He was picked up and with the aid of policeman carried to the Tenth Ward Station House. No doubt he had fallen victim to the garroters After leaving the Station House the two gentlemen continued their way home, and soon encountered the four suspicious looking men again. The belated travellers hurried on, and one cf them reaching home, bdc the otbergood nght The gentleman was soon overtaken by tEe four per- sons, when one asked him what time it was. Gent replied that it was about half past four He told to be certain Of 1t, and to lock at his watch. He piled that he had none, when the ejaculated to a companion, ''You take hold of him, Bill and we Il soon kaow the ime. At this the intended vic tim took to his heels the garrotters after him. when turning corner, a policeman discovered near by, and the rogues departed.
 ANOTHER HIGHWAY AssAuLT--On Thursday last, gentlemrn returning i'll the evening to his bolrd- ing house, in Tenth St. near Second Avenue had occasion to stop on his way to makea purchase and in so doing show roll of bills of some hundreds of dollars which he thrust into his nsde-coat pocket He continued his way down Eighth street through Stuyvesant place, when suddenly two men sprang upon him one on his neck and another on his arm. With sudden jerk he threw them off ani struck one severe blow with his fist, felling him at oncc and also hit the other in the stomach and fled tn arriving home he fouad his oTere( pocket had been adroitly cut off with long knife which he had en- Fortunately the money, being in the pocket of his undercoat, escaped these villains.
 THE CITIZENS ARMED-ihc New York Mirror of Tuesday says that the nightly occurrence of robbers and assassirations in the streets wtl p icular notice ttt of the outrnges the part of the au- tho ties has led to brisk business in rks and re- volvers during the past week. There is Aot street in the city that is tie after dark; and we have no squeamishncss about advising gentlemen to go arm ed, In walking to the Academy of Musi:, Cn Satu day evening, chanced to meet a coupe of frien Is one of them distinguished government officer and we found them both prepared for the garrottcrs One had dirk in his sleeve, and the other six bar rel revolver. The next step will be Q Vigilance Com mittcc and the first work on hand will hc to hang the authorities who receiving a million year for protecting life and property; and who spend it in seeking their own pecutiary advancement
 ANOTHER CAsE.-Our highway robberies are grow ing more and more boli as an incident which oc- cured at Madison square at about o'clock on Thursday evening goes to show. A gentleman was passing along the square sidewalk, opposite the Hip pod olne, when he set upon by two rulians one on c.Ch side. The first seized his left hand while the second grasped his throat The gentleman hal pened to be swinging light cane with lcalen head in his right hand. By lucky impulse ke brought it over his shoulder and upoa the heal of of the vilans felng him to the ground where he lay senseleSs His fellow released his hold and took to his heels. The person attacked, instead of finish ing the scoundrel who was down.. also took to his heels, regret to say and the cCol air doubtless soon brought the rogue to his senses.
 It is stated that MT. Thomas Thomas Jr, the ar since. while proceeding to his home in Twenty suspccting something wrong he stopped US two fel- lows approached him. and bid them pass on One of the fellows immediately struck him, but he re- turned the blow with interest. and drawing re- vo,ver, fired barrel and shouted for the police He then saw two other persons approaching, but not knowing whether they were friends foes, he fired a second barrel, whereupOn the whole party turned and fled. Mr. Thomas pursued. keeping up a run- ming fire, until the contents of the revolver were hausted. Not policeman appeared during the whole transaction. He thinks he wounded one or two of the rascas. He fortunately escaped with only slight injury to his right hand from the force of the blow he gave one of the party. Mir. T. had large sum of money with him at tho time, of which, thanks to his courage and revolver, he was not robbed.
 N. '. GovERNoR's MEssAGE-He says :-- The entire Canal Debt, at the close of the present fiscal ynar will ba twpnty-fcur million