The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-09
PUBLIC PLUEDERERs AND SNEAK
THIEVES.

The city is oyerrun by sneak thieves and
the State by public plunderers. The metro
politan police is inadequate to protect the
city from the depredations OF the former
whilst the latter ply their avocation undis-
turbed and with perfect impunity. Gradu-
ally the citizens are realizing the fact that
the so-called Government Of the Stat: is
powerless or unwilling to afford that pro-
lection to life and property which people
have right to expect and demand.
The daily robberies committed in this city.
by night and by day, recitals Of which I'LL
our columns, are producing intense excite
ment and seriously suggesting the necessity
of organizing Immediately a vigilance com
mittee, to take the place of government
and police that have signally failed to dis
charge the responsible duties devolving
upon them. as administrators Of the law of
the land, conservators of the peace and
guardians of the life and property of the
people.
The petty thieves, who, driven to desper-
alton, perhaps, by the pangs OF hunger and
urged on by the example of those greater
thieves, who fill the high places Of Office,
are denounced, pursued and published in
display type ofthe papers. The silver ware'
wearing apparel and loose change that fall
into their hands are followedup with wonder
full alacrity and perseverance by the owners,
and when captured the thieves are prosecut-
ed with unrelenting vigor and severity.
When convicted, too, they are made to eX-
plate their crimes by a term of years in the
penitentiary, unless released by Executive
clemency. The individual loss sustained by
the depredatons Of the sneak thief aronses
the ire and Indignation Of the immediate
community and increases the vigilance OF
the people of the neighborhood The bold
and daring invasion Of the private domicle
is the subject Of the houle-circle talk and the
violent denunciation Of the street converse
1ion The public are cautioned, the look
out is kept up and the chase is given for the
wicked thief, who has made off with his
plumber.
But how is it with the public marauder
who walks our streets in the broad light OF
day with his pockets filled with his i'll
gotten gains 7 What punishment is visited
upon the Radical office holder who has been
robbing the people and swindling the State!
How about the men who would, under the
guse of legislative cnactments, rob the tax
PAYERS of S950,OO0; or those who would qui-
city appropriate the enormous tax upon the
people for levee purposes and give nothing
in return would issue bonds for railroads
and canals that were never to be construct
ed would extort labor from Penitentiary
convicts without compensation to the State,
and Who would, finally, squander the very
life-blood Of the people in the maintenance
of rotten and detestable government.
These men are permitted to go scot free
whilst the petty burglar who robs one man
is subjected to the direst punishment.
Let us have an end, then. to such incon-
sistency Let such men as these be
the first object Of our care. Let merited
punishment be meted out to them first, and
then the petty thief will know there is no
immunity for him when his superiors in the
trade receive no more consideration at the
hands Of an outraged community. When the
frst-class plunderers are dealt with accord
ing to .her deserts, the small fry Of pilfer
ers. will take warning and cease their
poachng upon an impccunious and poverty |
stricken people.