The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-23
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
EFor Additional Local Hems see 7hiri Paqel

tFor additional Local Items see Thiri Paqel
POLICEMEN ON THE RAMP PAGE-A LIVELY
SCRNE IN THE FIFTH WARD.-rhe role of a police.
man In a city the size OF Philadelphia is bg no
means an easy one. In keeping strict oversight
upon the multitudlnous interests Committed TO
his his care, he will now and then make a mistake.
These mistakes are usually of a ridicnIons
character but they frequently assume a serious
aspect surplus OF official zeai is almost
invariably at the bottom OF the affair.
Last evening an incident occurred in the
nelghoorh0Jd of Fifth and Pine streets which
is IIecisely in point. A gentleman residing in
tnat iocailty had the bad taste TO mbibe an ex-
cessve quantity of spirtuous concoctons.
ABOUT eight o'clock he reached his house, being
at the time in very hilarious CONDITION. 1t is
safe to say that he coulu not distinguish his
elbow from the end of a pump handle There.
lore IT was not to be supposed tnat he should
TememDer his VOWS at the hymeneal altar. Ito
love, cherish, and protect" the companion of his
Joys and sorrows.
Failing 10 remember this, he proceeded to
m9!treat that long suffering creature. By-and-
by he aroused the neigh borhood by his opera.
tons. A gentleman living opposite who re.
spected the sanctty of the Sabbath and had
moreover, treasured up in his memory passage
IN the Sermon on the Mount which declares
that blessed are the peacemakersr made his
way into the house and endeavored to separate
tne contendIng parties. His success was not
natterlng until the arrival of the police, when
lhe pugnaclous BeneGick was finally dragged
This was all well enough, but lust here the
ahalr TOOK o new turn. One OF the officers be-
longed to that class who sometimes permit their
zeal to lead them into mistake. He took it
upon himself to castigate the man who had so
shametully beaten hls wife. He struck the pri-
soner IN the Iace with his fist. He forgot that
there was court OF Justice to authorize and
leeallze punishments for such misdemeanors as
assaultmg and batteTing ones wife.
The gentleman who had first interfered in
DehalI ol the injured woman thought proper to
demonstrate with the officer, reminding him that
his prisoner was drunk even to insensblltty
The officer thereupon ordered this lover of law
and order to be taken into custody. 1t was done;
Two other officers who were present seized him
by the arms, holding both OF them tightly; they
started forthwith tor the station, bearing their
prisoner along without his hat
Another gentleman, residing near, who was
present, demonstrated against this proceeding,
ano begged the officer at least to allow his friend
to pick up bis hat. The result or this appeal
Will probably cause HIM to glance askew when
ever he encounters a blue coat IN the future;
for ne too was taken into custody, and the
whole party-wiie beater, unohendIne citizen,
and irlend-were unceTemOnously marched off
to the Station House.
The case was then fully explained to the Lieu
tenant who took sober view OF the matter and
ordered the two last to be discharged at once
The Officers who made the uDwarrantable
arrests likewise made ample apology declaring
their great sorrow for what they had thought
lessly done. The gentleman who had abused
MS wife was also discharged, as the latter re.
membered her VOW Ito love, honor and obey"
and refused to put in any complaint against
him.
II is very evident that the intentions of the
parties who interie1ed in this case were on the
side OF law and order, and that they were not
guilty OF breach of either. For this reason
the conduct of the police is open to severe con-
demnation. They should carefully avoid the
effects of excessive zeal, as the maxim of the
law regards the escape OF dozen guilty men as
preferable TO the punishment of one who is
innocent.