New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-22
ency Of Republican principles and free
suffrage be assured.
ANONYMOUS ABD VAGUE CHARGES.

ANONY40US AND VAGUE CHARGES.
There is some danger that the city jour
malls which daily make complaints about
the ineficiency Of the police will wear the
wonder and novelty off the subject no less
by the constant iteration than by the
vagueness and haziness of the charges.
Where q well defined, specified, clearly
proved case comes to the knowledge Of
the reporters it is their duty to make it
known, and give names of parties. It is
repugnant to the spirit of American law
and practice to condemn any man with
out giving him an opportunity to confront
his accusers face to face, and plead in his
own defense such facts as may be
relevant and admissible. We suppose
this rule applies to ALTO officials
as well as private persons, and per-
haps it may be extended even to Repub-
lican police force in Democratic city
without doing violence to justice or COM
mon sense. But we now see the same I'M
reasonable tendency to find fault with the
police that was shown about a year ago to
praise in advance everything which Su-
perintendent Loan was expected to do.
The reporters unfortunately take every
story that is told them for true, and, pro-
vided it be sensational enough to be sala-
bic, publish it in conjunction with de-
cree Of condemnation against all and sim
gular those who are denounced by their
informants. One of our papers has just
been taken in, as we suspect, by the tale
Of q colored woman who complained
of indignity and insult at the hands
of an employe of the police sta
ton. The reporter of the REPUBLICAN
was instructed more than week ago to
look into this same case diligently, and
he returned with the information that
there was next to nothing in it. Inquir-
les in other quarters elected similar an
swers. But our co ntemporary neglected
to take precautionary measures. Every
thing said against the absent accused
party was accepted without being doubt
ed, and q flaming judgment entered up
for the complainant. 1t was even repub- |
lished in angry guise. Then an investi-
cation was had, and greatly modified
statement appeared in consequence.
The same journal now wants vigilance |
committee formed to look after q case of |
alleged assault and insult to lady by q
negro on the corner of Jackson and Pry- |
tania streets on Thursday. As this is
very public place, any lady could instant
y call defenders to her side in case there
we're need for them at the point named
It may be regarded by a delicate, sensi-
tive lady as a misfortune to appear in a
scene" but she owes some duties to So
;iety as well as others, and ought not to
shrink from exposing crime against de-
,ency because it may endanger her own
peace Of mind for few moments to do
10. At any rate, while the witness is kept
n the background the prisoner can not
% called upon to plead, nor can the jury
ind verdict without evidence. But
vigilance committee can do anything an
'xcited individual may ask it to do. It
an sally out, like the reporter of sensa-
ional newspaper, and hang three or four
legroes and, perhaps, a policeman or two,
nd then discover that mistake has been
made and innocent blood been shed.
We are told that some foolish young
oen are about to form themselves into
Citizens Detective Corps, for the pur-
ose Of ahording protection to our citi-
ems" Merchants and business men are
xpected to aid it with the customary out
t in cash, which probably forms the chief
nducement of the enterprise. There is q
enalty for playing policeman without Or
ers, and as the regular police are strong,
lsty fellows, and jealous of their rights.
lese young regulators had better have q
are lest they find themselves regulated.
ven they can not adjudicate cases with
ut evidence, unless they propose to be
rbitrary and unjust. Perhaps if they will
Ike the same pains to give information to
le police that it will cost them to extort
oney from the business community, !
lere will soon be no necessity for their
rvices. At all events, let them bear a
airy eye for Colonel Loans police, or
icy will be very apt to find themselves in
mbo.