National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-06-20
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY
CITIZEN AND POLICE,

what Rights Have the Former which the
Latter Are Bound to Rcspect-some whole
some Truths for Police Oncials to Con-
slider.
The following communication Is from the
pen Of one Of our most respectable citizens, and
nine tenths of those who read II will agree
with what the writer says. While there are
good many officers on the force who are honest
and conscientious and faithful in the discharge
Of their duties, there are entirely too many
of the class described by Consistency who
are valiant to arrest small boys; energetic in
poking their noses into other peoples business
without warrant or authority OF law; and ter
ribly In earnest when putting up jobs SINH
lar to those Of Breen. But when these fellows
sec real danger ahead their valor oozes out OF
thcii finger ends; their energies all relax, and
the only earnestncss they manifest Is how to
get out Of a conflict with the roughs and mus
cular law-brcakcrs. Such men as Mnlhall,
ONeill and others like them will take no ex-
ccptions to these remarks, for they are brave,
honorable and respected. But the poltroons
will take Il all to themselves, and talk loudly
about an insult to the police force. Attention
has been called repeatedly to the roNdits who
cOngregate about College and Meridian hills,
but the call has not been loud enough to pcne-
trate the dull ears Of the police. whole
squad could, however, hear q few boys splash
ing IN the water. Now there is a law against
"
tons and public highways, and that law must
be enforced but let the police act fairly, and
not make fish of the boys aud flesh Of tue
cvorgrown rowdics:
WASHINGTON, D. C., June Is, 1877.
EDITOR REruBLICAS Please allow me through
law prohibiting orderly bathing in Rock creek and
at the same time To call attention TO the very heroic
capture Thy squad Of mounted policemcn) Of u
handful oi boys who were taking a bath In the
stream above mentioned. The facts In the case are
as follows A party OF boys, on yesterday morning,
while swimming In this creek were surprised and
warriors and after being made to hastily dress tone
boy being compelled IN start without coat or col
exposed to the gaze Of every pascr by and com.
PEELED 10 listen IL the civilizations of the triumphant
nsacens, who boastsd of their proves In the cap
turc.
They were taken W station house and such rs
had money as collateral for their appearance TO-
day at The Police Court were allowedto 60. while
arrival Of friends or their arraignment this morn
ing and all this for trying to keep clean. Now,
hnsxposed TO view, and two miles or more outside
Of the city
evident preoonccrted arrangement to have squad
Of officers set on the watch to pounce upon these
inofennye boys, wasting valuable time In the dis
useless duty, while seminude' rasssd, dirty and
prufane men and half-gruwn boys are permitted 10
lounge around unmolctcd on the hills adjacent to
and within n few feet OF dwelling. houses, cursing
and using such indecent language that residents
on College and Meridian hills are compelled to de-
| fields for greater part Of every day In the week
BESIDES numerous gang Of rowdics are allowed To
tramp over these hills night after night whooping
| and yelling In a disgraceftIl manner, with not a
policeman near To stop them. Why, In less than
al hour after this triumphant procession Of blue,
coated knights and halfwashed boys bad passed
Fourteenth street merchant that thorough fare
was sirugrng In the middle Of .he street. with a