White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1863-08-06
Giro ulslr 10 the Sheriff. Of the DIFF.
ferent Counties.
STATE oE KANSAS. EXECUTIVE DEP'r,l
Topeka, July 90, 1861

1creM1 Counties
STATE oE KANSAS, EXECUTIVE DEP'r,l
Topeka. July 20. 1885,
The condition Kansas, in one respect.
is to be deplored. mean the prevalence
of robberies. and the too great disregard
of law. This condition results, as be.
lieve, not from any want of power to en-
force the civil law, but from a want Of
what I may term central sources of infor-
nation, and concerted action.
The paramount evil which Expresses
our people, and seriously effects the in
dustrial and agricultural interests, is the
insecurity of what may be termed chattel
property. The stealing of horses and
other stock, though not SO universally
prevalent as formerly, is, I am sorry to
say. still common in nearly all parts of
the State; and, what is more unfortunate,
the difficulty of detecting the robberies
and arresting and subjecting the thieves
to punishment is equally common.
This may be accounted for, in part, by
the fact that, in sparsely settled commu-
mites. horse thieves may perpetrate what
would seem the most daring acls, and
enjoy comparative immunity frompunish-
ment, because they have concert among
themselves, while the losers and local
authorities have no such concert.
am to great extent powerless; yet
it seems to me that this serious difficulty
might be obviated. partially at least,
been in the sparsely and more densely
populated Counties of the State. Sup.
pose robbery were committed on the
Big Blue or Msrmaton, how long would
it be before the information of that rob-
berry would be communicated to the local
authorities of the markets where the
thieves are supposed to centre? Weeks
would elapse, and then the info, nation
would come unof6cially, either by vague
letters, or through obscure paragraphs
in the weekly paper of the County in
which the robbery was committed.
Every County has its Sheriff. Sup
pose it was made the duty Of such Sheriff
to furnish detailed information Of the
robbery so made THAT is. if horses, their
size, color, &C., and so Of cattle and other
property, to the Sheriffs and local 40.
thorities Of the central points, BY the
most speedy means Of conveyance, mail
or otherwise. Were this done, it is easy
to perceive that robberies would become
less frequent, as the detection and punish
ment of the robbers became more certain.
A concert of action like this on the part
of the Sheriffs Of the different Counties
aided by those who suffer, would go far,
in my judgment, towards correcting the
evil uuder which Kansas now suffers
This would make Sheriffs and those who
lose property active detectives in ferret
ing out and securing the thieves; for, aft
er all, it is celerity Of detection and GER
tainty Of punishment which checks vii
lainy of all kinds, and most thoroughly
puts an end to the kind of thieving which
now causes so much trouble to the people
of Kansas, and which so greatly retsrds
the settlement of the State.
Were the Legislature in session. l
should most earnestly recommend to that
body, the passage of law, making it the
duty of the Sheriffs. of the different
Counties, to furnish such information,
with q suitable reward for such service.
The effect of this would be to secure what
we now so much need-concers of ctioa
against there's and robbers. As it is, l
would earnestly urge the Sheriffs and the
people of the several counties to adopt
and enforce this policy, alike essential to
private interest and the public good.
THOMAS CARNEY.