Wilmington journal., 1865-02-16
mALFEAsANCE Ir 0ETIcE

1t is the duty of czeps, when n, instance Of NAL
Versatlon IN Office comes u,er their observation 70
make report OF the offence 10 th~ superior authorities
1t is duty which they to themselves and to their
country, and which they may not omit without inslIv
lncurrlng censure. The public interests iuyolyed
nay, IN time like this, the public oafety is at stake
and patriot has no proper election to the course he
will pursue.
This duty of the citizen involves d corresponding
duty On the part of the officer to whom offences are to
De reported. Ii the one must inform, the other must
sten: III one must indicate the existence of maprae-
tlee, the other must promptly investigate and punish
Nor IL the duty Of either the citzsn or the superv
sing authority by s1y meRus confined to such cases OF
onence as are capable OF being presented in the form of
an exact accusation, supported by fG and technical
proof To lay down such rule would be to grant i'm.
puplty to the greit majority of criminals. The pur-
pose OF an information to institute and direct inOui
ry and It's just responsibilities are fully met if it show
Proba6le Cause The magistrate commits for trial on
redsOfaONE Suspicion The grand jury orders TO
SIahu, even Ior his life, on pGrte testimony. 1t s
only BY an authoritative Investigation that the eseuca
which untods the truth usually be discovered and
this investigation it Is the province OF Goverumens to
undertake and to conduct on its own responsibility
Ii no trial were ordered until absolute proof OF
guilt were first produced, aud by volunteer prose
cutor, the courts Nigh almost wGu be gbCsned and
public justice dec ared at al end.
These principles seem obviously just but they are
not understood to be conceded IN practice iu some
OF the departments of Government. Some OF the Off
GERS whe are charged with the oversight Of subord-
nates do not take hints or ordinary information from
cltzens, as guides to their observations and in
vestigations. They require responsible allegation
and formal proof as the foundation of an iuquiry-
They have been led to adopt this reserve probably in
consequence OF the great number Of complaints due to
ignorance or querulOusness originating in personal
feeling These they may always expect but these
are not sufficient TO justify them in repusing the ap-
prOaches OF ell citizens iudiscriminately. They
should, on the contrary keep open door for honest
and well meaning men, and receive with manifes-
tations of thankiulness the communications
which they may mako for the good OF the
public service An Investigation which the
Government may conduct without inconvenience, is Of
ten matter OF personal teud, perhaps deadly quarrel il
aVoWedly based on private accusation. IndlViduals
will shrink from occupying such position, il not rom
midity, at least from that preereuce for quiet which
most men feel. EspedMk will they 90 this when they
are not personally possessed of proof adequate to the
full establishment of their opinions. Officers who place
obstacles in the way of receiving Information to the
naversation OF their subordnate5 will find indeed that
they escape the annoysnce OF frivoous complaints but
they will succeed also in giving license to the unworthy
to do pretty much as the list.
Such impunity must operate very disadyQnt0geousIy
in community circumstanced as is OURS An infinite
number OF public agents scattered the country
many OF them entrusted with the most delicate duties
where the observation of superiOrs is impossible, and
where in consequence Of the difficulty of detecting ir
regulartieg there be but little responsibility la
such cases. the public eye and ear must be the prnci
Ral witnesses and detectives. The observations of the
citizens ought to be carefully invited and their state
ments respectfully listened to and duly weighed They
must not be told to be silent unless they shall choose to
volunteer positive and formal prosecutor and
thus give to public matter the aspect and character Of
private alteration. An officer has no right to thrust
such alternative upon q citizen 0nd Its elect is
we baVe said to secure lcense and impunity to Ciar
ders, to such excite the most open disgu5t.
Richmond Seuttyrl.