Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-21
CRIME IN NEW YORK.

CRIME IN NEW YORK.
In spite of the apparent effort to dimin-
ish the amount of crime in New York by
a more rigorous enforcement of the laws,
violence and rascality appear to be on the
increase. To-day Foster will be hung,
we presume, at which there will doubtless
be feeling among the public that step
has been gained against lawlessness. But
while those who favored his execution
were fighting their way inch by inch to
carry him to the gallows, the record of
murder and outrage in the city was more
fearful than ever On Monday, in Seven
ty.fourth street, three ruffians committed
one of the most daring and desperate
crimes committed in the city for many
years. Calling at one of the drinking sa-
looms and obtaining couple Of rounds of
whiskey, they~started to leave without
paying their bill. The proprietor demand
ing payment, was knocked down and beat
en- nearly TO death. Ills wife attempting
to interfere in his behalf was severely
stabbed with knife. while a stranger,
who hearing the outcry of murder step
ped into the room, was set upon by the
murderers and also dangerously if not ia
fally cut with knife. Leaving the sa
loon they met another person who was
likewise stabbed and thrown into sew
er. This was only the doings Of one lit
tie gang of three in one evening.
The next morning, bright and early, the
work of violence commenced. A horse
car was entered near Fifteenth street, by
four or FIVE ruffians. filed with whiskey,
who undertook to take charge of the car
and drive the horses. The driver resist
ing they pulled him of the platform and
commenced beating him, while the con-
ductor who came to his rescue received
bullet from revolver. Several shots
were afterwards fired by the ruffians, al.
though all opposition to them appears tc
have ceased with the disabling of the con
dnctor, and one of these shots took effec
upon the person Of passer-by in thu
street. At last having enjoyed the spor
as long as they wished, the desperadoe
pocketed their pistols and left the ground
having wounded three persons, taken pos
session of the horse car, and endangered
the lives OF all persons in the vicinity.
Now this was in New York, where the
have courts and halters, and where hang
ing Is not played out, as the execution G
Foster and other recent executions testify
And what is the cause of this bad state O
thingsa 1t is because of the uncertaint,
Of the conviction and punishment of of
tenders. The law has been almost deat
letter in that State for several years, Sc
far as it applies to high crimes Judge.
and juries have been corrupted, and muir
derers have been let loose again ant
again on pleas that shocked the mora
sense Of intelligent people. until GRIM
has come to stalk abroad almost with i'm
punity. If the State will execute its law
thoroughly and impartially for the mex
year, change will be visible in the Grim
inal records. We are I'd advocates c
hanging. but we do adFDca:s she promp
and sure enforcene1t Cd aEw. and beI;er
it the duty Of all good talGEe1s TO aid i
and support its exee'715on- Failure to en-
force the law robs it Of its vitality, sap
the moral sense Of communities. degrade
the courts and places life and property a
he mercy Of scoundrels and assassins.