The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-01-23

tbs New GOVERNMENT POLICE.-Our pc
lice gave another example of the authority
which they derive from Mr.. Osborne or tn,
post office department at Washington, o.
assume it without q national commission a
all which last we think they would &C
knowledge to be the truth, if you we're tC
ask them. Mr., VIM. L. Chopper came into
the post Office smoking cigar, last evening
and stood waiting for the mail. "Put out
that cigar" says Condor, who was standing
by. an not do it," replied Mr.. Cropper
"If its not put out I'll put you out" says
Condor. 81 deny either your right or abil
ity to put me out" was the reply. Condor
then collared him and threatened to enforce
the rule, which he continually pointed to,
and hsrped upon. "Do you arrest me, "
says Chopper. "If you say you have right
to arrest me, / will submit quietly" Con.
don made no reply. "If you do not wish to
arrest me take your hands off me, OF III di.
lapidate your countenance." Condor trem.
blingly complied, quit his hold and betook
himself to footing on his little whistle for
assistance. Curtis comes in and they both
approach the incorrigible subject, who was
still TRANQUILITY smoking. He reiterated his
willingness to accompany them quietly if
they arrested him. "No,' says Condor,
with courage reinforced BY Curtis presence,
1--WE won't arrest you, but we'll put you out"
"Both Of you together are not able to do it,"
says Chopper, land / would like to see you
attempt it," They knew they had no au.
thority for this petty tyrannizing, so they
skunk ANONYMOUSLY away, aud Chopper was
left to finish his cigar in quietude.
What sort OF rule is this, which tries to
interfere with the natural rights of indivd.
usls in public place. Are we to have
mild edition Of the Connecticut blue laws
introduced amongst US and enforced by
such varlets as Condor and Curtis, at the
bidding of Murdoch and Mclaughlin? Is
there to be bit of Plymouth rock intro
duced into the middle of the post Office and
our citizens compelled to undergo straight
laced purifc alton by being dashed against
it? We think Mr.. Osborne will find it an
extraordinarily difficult undertaking to en-.
force such a rule. An appeal to the gen.
llemanly sense Of ProPrioty of the popnlace,
not to smoke to the annoyance of the la
dies, will be more readily scceded to, we
imagine, than peremptory rule enforced |
by such petty personages as the police force
at the uuwarranted dictation of Murdoch &
Go. In fact, as We said yesterday, the pc.
lice force have no business around the post
office except in case of disturbance of the
peace, or infraction of some city ordinance,
Or in search of mail like other citizens
AS soon as they cross the threshold of this
national property, they are no more than
any civilian present except in case of fight |
n other overt disturbance of the peace; but
rs there is no law against the enjoyment of |
smoking on the street, it is naturally sup |
,osable that there is none in the post Office. |
The police have as much authority to inter.
ere with smoking on the sidewalk as in the
,ost Office. Murdock's new policemen feel
hat they are clothed with very brief author,
ty, and that their lease of power will be
'ver in few weeks, and consequently, they
re not very DESTROYS to overcome the aver.
ion in which they are held by all decent
'eople.