The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-07-24

A Word About Our Police.-Ths re-
cent case involving the escape of one Frank
Rice of this city, in custody for assaulting and
robbing young man on freight train on
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail-
way, last week, has clearly illustrated the
truthfulness of the old saying that sit is one
thing to catch a prisoner another to keep him. ("
The facts of the case were given in our last
issue, and will doubtless still be fresh in the
minds of our readers. The prisoner was be-
ing brought from the gaol by Police Constable
Beck, and before going many yards he struck
Beck fearful blow in the stomach and es-
capped. It would be difficult to conceive a
clearer or more foI,ible case to illustrate the
importance of few hints we recently threw
out as to the absolute necessity OF our consta-
bulary being thoroughly equipped by the city
for the proper execution of their duties. Here
was prisoner of rough character in custody
on charge of felony, but permitted to walk
down the street by the side of the constable in
perfect freedom. The officer had no cuffs, no
billy, and apparently without any means of
self defence unless he should have has oton re-
volver in his pocket. Conscious of the situa-
ton, what did the prisoner do-WhV only
what any other such character would have
done, he made bold stroke for his liberty
and succeeded, much to the annoyance of the
officers and the court, as also to the disgust
and prejudice OF society. True the constable
had a revolver, and used it-but only one bar
rel out of six exploded. Is not the moral here
presented as clear as the noon day? Why ap-
point constabIes at all if they are not to be
fully equipped for an emergency? Why ap-
point man to the onerous position of a guar
dian of the peace and trust to his pugelistic
ability in an emergency-leaving him clothed
with no more means of self-defence than any
culprit he may meet withg The simple badge
that Adorns his breast would indeed be an in
significant protection IN an emergency, while
the policy thus far observed by our city only
tends to reassure miscreants they are in no i'm
minent danger if they are good bruisers. We
are glad, however to learn that our "city faith
ers" have resolved on securing hand cuffs and
nippers for the men, but why half do the
thing? Where are their dark lanterns. billv
and revolvers? Surely they cannot expect men
to provide these latter essentials in accordance
with their private means? The miserable
lamps in use OF late require attention, and the
men put in possession of such revolTers as do
not require clicking five times before one bar
rel explodes. As we said before, equip our
policemen as they ought to be and then ex.
pect them to do their duty. And what is
more, explain to them their duty in ordinary
cases of emergency that they may know
what to do when the hour of necessity ar
rives. But, as far as we can at present learn,
there are doubts as 10 their power of action
in extreme cases, such as the escape CT a pris-
oner, whether they are justified to shoot or
not. We reserve our opinion on the subject,
but certainly think it is point on which the
police should no longer remain in doubt.