The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-07-25
DETECTIVES.

The custom so prevalent OF employing
professional " detectives " in ferreting out
criminals is attended with as many bad
results as the redeeming qualities of the
practice offset, if the balance does not re-
main on the wrong side of the ledger. 1t
is said, and with truth we believe, that
these professional detectives, are in many
instances, veteran rogues who have dscov-
cred that they can ply their vocation more
profitably, and with less risk in operating.
professedly, in the employment of the legal
authorities, and it is believed that in nu-
and burglaries, in order to get fat job
that brings them rich reward, and when
the proper time arrives, act as the medium
for effecting negotiations with the thieves
or if it pays better, share the plumber with
the gang, and keep their own councils.
Sure it is they never discover any forger-
les, larcenies, or other great crimes till a
large reward has been offered for the appre-
hension of the parties or the recovery of
the stolen goods; and if the goods or
money are produced, the thieves are al
lowed to conveniently escape or remain
undiscovered. The whole detective bust
ness as conducted in this country at least,
is very demoralizing, and is rather pro-
moter to, than a preventative of, crime.
The system of informers and spies fos-
tered by the Government, in the Revenue
Department, seems to have promoted as
much thieving and peculation, if not
more, than it suppressed, or prevented.
The developments in the Sanborn and
Jayne Congressional investigations, dis
closed the fact, that the Government was
doing little else, by its system of discover
ing frauds, on the revenue, than fostering
a gang of rogues, and that the custom was
likely to spread decentralization and dishon-
esty throughout the entire Government, by
Offering premium for rascality and sharp
practice. The very fact that the public
knows that the Government employs ras-
Gals to ferret out crime and professedly aid
the cause of justice, has debasing and
demoralizing influence upon the popular
mind and morals. Better let thieves go
unwhipped of justice than honor criminals
by investing them with official powers.
The public conscience has become blunted
in no small degree by the custom of frater-
nizing with rogues, which has grown up by
making them detectives and executors of
the law which they have, by violating, re-
ceived the education, that is believed, fits
them peculiarly for catching thieves
More is lost to the public, many times, than
gained by compromising with villains
The practice of compromising with thieves,
burglars and forgers for a part of their i'll
got gains, on condition of allowing them
to go unlimited by justice, and enjoy part
of their booty, is nothing but premium
to follow the business of professional thiev-
cry. Far better for both the morals and
the pecuniary interest of society, if all
such transactions as compromising with fell
ony, were made a crime punishable as
severely as theft itself. And the habit of
employing special spies and detectives is
departure from common sense as well as
common honesty, which has no redeemng
good to counterbalance its corrupting and
evil influences.