Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-03-31

Our PRESENT CoNDITIcN.-The con-
diton of our city At this time is truly deplora
BILE. Unprotected by q we'll organized police
force it has become dangerous for respectable
citizens to appear on the streets after dark
without they are armed to the teeth and pos
sess q wonderful amount of nerve. Every
night our streets are crowded with young men
and boys. many OF them Of respectable pa
rents. who, out Of pure mischie. insult. abuse
and assault peac.abls and quiet citizens who
are obliged to be out after nine or ten o'clock
in the evening. These young men and boys
congregate in the numerous salcons scattered
over our city. where they drink. gamble and
plot mischief and vilisiny which they ossess
the courage to carry ont. Not having the fear
Of policeman before their eyes they do not
hesitate to attack man in the streets before
the lights in the stores have been extinguished
and woe TO the man that does not quietly cub
NIT 10 their abuse he is sure to receive .
broken head ard be laid up with his wounds
for weeks and perhaps monthe.
The numerous fires in this city during the
past two years can safely be placed to the &C
count Of these young reprobates. They de-
light to see the iremen turn out with their
machines and they glory in the excitement at
tsndant upon conAagration. Every few days
some one complains to US Of having been in.
jured by tripping over . cord stretched across
the side walk or having been thrown violently
to the ground by q cord hitting him under the
nose Others in returning home on dark nights
suddenly find Themselves prscipitated into .
pile of lumber and old boxes to the imminent
dar ger Of breaking their necks or limbs. These
are but few Of the evils and crimes committed
by these youtha We should dislike to believe
that they would commit worse acts, such as
house breaking and highway robbery. but il
they continue on in the dreadful course they
have been pursuing OF late they will soon be-
come 90 hardened that they will not hesitate
in committing any crime, however great
We have been led to make these remarks
from hearing of . most brutal assault upon .
poor drunken sot who has been hanging about
our city for SOHO weeks pact to the great dis
gust of those with whom he has become &C.
quainssd and to the great delight Of the saloon
keepers who supply him with the poison that
is fast hurrying him to . drunkard's grave.
Thursdsy evening - Mr.. VIM. Shute was pass-
ing the Post Office Bloek some person threw .
rock at him, which knocked of his hat. Turn.
ing suddsnly round in the direction from which
the rock came he saw young man named Thos.
Wallace standing near and another man named
Porter walking oil. Mr. Shute immediately
charged Wallace With throwing the stone and
intimsted to him that he would hunt up the
Marshal and have him placed under arrest.
Just at this time the drunken man, Dovnes,
retsrrsd TO above. came along, and ssking
what Vas up. turned to Wsllace and told him
that be would arrest him. Wallace immsdi.
atsly drew of and Knocked him down and not
being satisdsd with flooring helpless intexi-
Gated thing, be With his heavy boot kicked
Dsvsss in Ne isss. inAistiag several nost
ftightfal bruises. We eannst synpa&hiss With