Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-01-21
Arbitrary Arrests.

We have repeatedly called attention to the H.
legal aud unconstitutional mode Of arresting and
paLishing, and Afterwards. perhaps, trying per
sons suspected Of offenses against the laws
There have been many such arrests in this state.
and the parties have been discharged without
trial or even knowing the accusations against
them. We notice by The Philadelphia Ledger
that 4 detective is ON trial before n military com
mission in Alexandra. charged with receiving
bribes 20 obtain the release OF military prisoners,
and the case illustrates most forcbly the evils
and abuses of the detective system. which
our public authorities have thought neces
ssry 20 cmplov. We believe this Is one
OF the first cases in which republicans
have been the sufferers. While democrats alone
were the victims. all was right. but when repub-
licans are made 10 feel the wrong then il makes
vast deal of difference whose OK is gored. We
have been satisfied that public sentiment would
demand a correction of the outrages which have
been ~practised under this system Of arbitrary ar
ress. The constitutional liberty and rights Of
the citizen, as they have been, may be fora while
stricken down with IMMUNITY, aud even with the
approval OF those in authority who permit the
wrong, but there is a sense of justice in the
public mind which will finally vindicate the right.
From the comments of The Ledger, which We
annex. we are satisfied that a reaction has com
menced in this regard. which We trust will
gather strength until the constitutional liberty of
the citizen is once more respected and main
tanned
TK,.t on DErtcrIvEs- G. Tapley. chief
r. of the detective force in Alexandra. is being
tried by military commission, charged Win re
ceiving brides 10 obtain releases of military pas
oners-N. Y. Herald.
It 10 very questionable whether this whole dc
tectiye business IS not making more scoundrels
than il il unearthing criminals. Armed, as they
pretend 10 be. with power TO arrest on the slight
est suspicion, aud released from the obligation OF
making good their charges by oath before a
magistrate. the temptation TO abuse their author
ify Is too strong for their tender virtues. They
p arrest aud detain people, not for the oi'enses OF
which they are known or beiieved 20 be guilty
but Cor the purpose of eliciting something from
the sears Of individuals which will crininate
them. or. il their victims should be timid per
sons. unacquainted with their rights. undertsk-
ing for A consideration 10 get them released.
knowing well that there - no legal power 10
hold them, and If the proceedings made public
the accused could not be held G. single Gay IN
confinement The trades OF these detectives
thriyes upon secrecy. and IN no other way would
apy Importance be attached 10 their services
Unfortunately. the government seems 10 consid
er these creatures as necessary 10 IT'S service, but
the experience il has had ought TO impress Il
With the necessity OF getting rd OF them a. a
greater evil than any abuse which their abuse J.
intended TO remedy.
The old method OF criminal proceedings.
charming A man on oath before a civil mag's
- - h.xfuu IN admitted la bail TIL the
government j. ready 20 proceed against him. has
lost none of it, .avOr IN the estimation OF con
eiderate citizens by the recent pr%actice OF military
commissions hearing charges II secret and a.
sisted In procuring evidence by ITS spies snd
pimps of the detective force. We have had IN
this city for the last month or two \ secret com
mission making arrests and holding persons IN
confinement for weeks. Yet these suspected
persons we nov see walking the streets with iuil
discharges. a. thew say, IN their pockets Either
these individuals were guilty OF ofense- against
the government or they were not. III they we're,
or reasonable ground existed Tor the belief that
thev we're. they should not have Leeu discharged
without some sort oil public trial, which would
have given the government the opportunity 81
proving the facts alleged against thsm- II they
we're not guilty.. thew ought not 10 have been ar
rested on insufficient evidence, or teen Kept M
confinement for weeks like criminals. some Of
them having been arrested at night, and taken
from their homes and places OF business. "lth"ut
any opportunity being Offered their friends 10
communicate With them or ascertain the ground
OF their arrest. and then turned Loose without any
public vindication or proof of their innocence
In these cases the evil j. tha, the oihcer who
issues his warrant for arrest must be the accuser
himself He makes the arrest he hears the case
secretly. s~ears the parties for evidence. and
then makes the accusation upon the evidence 70.
obtained. IL Is next TO impossible. under such
circumstances for an officer, however he may
guard his feelings not To hnd more satisfaction in
proving the guilt than the innocence Of the &C
cnsed. There il nothing that we can see IN any
of these cases Which ~iustihes a departure from
the usual proceedings ia ordinary course of
Law. and the gosern menf Itself out OF respect 10
the public opinion which looks upon such acts
as these as oatFages sgalGst Law and justice.
should make its proceedings accord as nearly as
possible 10 the established practice In our courts