The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-01
now TO TREAT BURGLARS.
CHARLES o'coNoR SAYS KILL THEM.

The New York Herald publishes the follow
ing opinion Of Charles O'Conor in regard to
the propriety Of shooting burglars at sight
MIR. OConor very justly assumes that bur-
glars have 10 rights good citizens are bound
to respect:
Certain practical questions concerning the
duties and immunities Of citizens in protect
ing life and property from the depredations
Of professional criminals have been dis
cussed in connection with the prompt and
admirable administration OF justice upon the
two burglars whose lives paid the forfeit of
their crime when discovered plundering
Judge Van Brunt's house at Bay Ridge. In
connection Herewith letter of inquiry was
addressed to Mr.. Charles O'Coror, which,
with that eminent lawyers reply, indicating
what honest men may and should do on
encountering a burglar or highwaynan, are
copied below:
| ARE FORMALITIEs REQUISITE?
New YORK, Dec. l9,s'4.-Dear Sir: Will you
kindly give me your opinion on the following
questions, knowing you to be the highest au-
thority
l. Is there a law on the statute books in re-
gard to the challenging of burglar by his
intended victim before firing en- him, even
when in the act Of plunderiug his goods
3. Would the law justify person in firing
on and killing burglar simply on seeing him
endeavoring to effect an entrance into his
house at night?
Hoping soon to hear from you on the SUBJ
ject, am, dear sir, yours truly,
THos. H. REILLY.
The Hon. Charles O'Conor.
DUTCH JUSTICE SUSTAINED.
FORT WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-Dea7 Sir:
see no present occasion for considering the
technical questions stated. Men who devote
their lives to housekeeping and theft as an
occupation can hardly be said to have any
rights which others are bound to respect
Their habitual pursuit Justly condemns them
to outlawry At least such is their condition
while prowling in the night time within or
around the dwellings OF their intended VIC
TINS. When in the attempt to execute a
felonious enterprise they happen to be slain
by the family whom they are seeking to plum
der. public justice will institute no fastidi-
Gus scrutiny. No one will inquire
whether all the forms or ceremonies
were observed, which some ancient |
law-giver or modern enactment for "that case
made and provided - may have discreetly sug-
gested, whatever may be the strict law appli-
cable to the case and whatever exact duty
might enjoin, no magistrate will commit the
slayer to prison, no grand jury will indict
them. nor will any district attorney prosecute
or petit jury convict. If, indeed. any one in
this line of official authorities could be found
to act adversely, the next in succession would
be apt to repudiate his doings, or if a concur
renee Of the whole could be imagined, ending
in conviction, it is very certain that no gov
ernor would hesitate an instant in awarding to
the accused a safe deliverance by his dis
pensing power.
The Van Brunts were justified in point of
morals. Their race-the Holland Dutch of
New York-rarely fail to meet with appropri-
ate action any emergency appealing to honor
and bravery. Let us not enter into any nice
criticisms upon the manner of their achieve
ment; it was just and beneficial; applause is
their due. All honest men will accord it,
frankly and in unstinted measure am. dear
sir, yours truly, CHAs. OCoNoR.
Of like sort is the action of the so-called
Returning Board Of Louisiana that after a
pretended canvass throws out enough votes
to wrest the State from the Conservatives, and
give such majority in the Legislature as will
insure the return of brother-in-law Casey to
the United States Senate. The cool audacity
Of the entire proceeding is only equaled by
that of the Administration, that continues
Federal bayonets in support of the outrage
In all this President Grant receives encourage
nent from his Attorney General. We have
| little matter in store which We purpose ven
ilating on the return of Congress that will
Keep Mr.. Williams busy enough about himself
without further disturbing the South Wash
ngton Capital
They have turned man out of the New
FORK Stock Exchange because he bought six
cen thousand shares of something, and had
larry red in bank to pay for them. And this
S free country!
Hlgh-toned papers write it Xmas, and then
xplaln that it means Christmas, which is
aloyapf 1o;~ ~ |