The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-11
BAY STATE DETECTIVES.

HOW PRoHIDIToRY LIQUOR LAW Is EN-
FoRcED-A STATE ORGANIZATION OF sPIrs-
TRAVELLING AND STEALING WITH TRAMps-
EFFORTS TO ABOLISH NUISANCE.
DosToS. Feb 10, 1878.
In the year 1885, during the first istration OF
" lillian Ciarin as Governor Of The Commonwealth,
stringent prohibitory law was enacted, and for
he enforcement fifteen State detectives were
appointed, with MAYOR Jones chief Mr..
Claim served three years and 10 him sue
ceeded William b. Washburp, who served
two years and was reelected to third term but
United States Senator 10 I'LL the place made
vacant by the death OF Charles Sumner Thomas
Talbot was then Lieutenant Governor and he up
into the gubernatoral chair. During these
liquor law underwent several changes, but
there was change in the organ cation opera
lions OF The State detective force At tho close
Of Talbo.'s term he was put up as Q candidate
for recollection, but the sentiment was strong
against prob btion ihst William CASTOR, pronounced
democrat. was elected, THIS 1875, ana during
that year tho old detective system was abolished and
a one created. the number OF men being In
creased to thirty The passage OF tho act to create
this new force was understood to be a sop for the
temperance people, but Luther Stephenson, Jr. q
democrat, was appointed Chief, and his sympathies
were aud have been. naturally with the liquor men,
that the iorcc had specific dutos IN the matter
of enforcing the license law
DUTIES DETECTIVES
The state detectives nave held "a rowing commission,
With full and tree discretion to 60 wherever their
lancy might lead, at tho expense OF the State. Their
duties never clearly defined, and thoy have been
constant source OF annoyance to the local author-
ties OF the towns aud cities where they have made
their headquarters They had power OF arrest in any
place within the Commonwealth, their hostility
TO the local police has frequently becn the means
s.f sAfaat th.a nHp nj n.r,n
years OF the existence OF the present tho State
mas paid out salaries and expenses Sl09 457 49, or
work done by the men may be thus ummarized:-
stolen or lost property recovered, S21l,l02 80
number OF arrests made, 949.
How much oil this work might have been done by
local officers cannot be estimated but It is safe TO
assume that moro than twothrds OF 1t was taken
away by the State men from those TO whom IL rightly
belonged
TRAVELLING WITH THE TRAMP
To show to what straits the put for some
work that might compensate for their existence, two
officers last summer pretended to 20 out in the West.
crn part OF the State an ION IN with The
that iniest the country ma villages Tor the
purpose OF studying their habits, customs ana method
OF living An elaborate report was submitted, copied
from the diaries OF these men, but II has been since
shown that the report was almost wholly inaccurate
aud made up for effect Even admitting that they
there is something abhorrent IN tho idea OF
two officers sworn TO repress crime travel
for the purpose Of seeing how theft and robbery sts
committed without making an effort to check them,
punish the criminaiE They confess that they
lived stolen food pocketed stolen articles aided
and Allotted the thieves and shock hands with them
at parting l copy from The report AZ the first page
opened:-
rain soon wen. INTO Sarn while ths Fenehmaa went
corned beet which he had stolen Remained In this place
July is-Le barn quite early where we had passed tho
nish; soon met thsoe ramps went with them into the
numSered twenty. Ui these three were German. two
Du,shmsn one sweae, Freacnman. three Americans
the nde lrisI neN l.dh mad m ltr
place some five Ssys saSssnS npca chickens
Guided to remain with this gang tor n time.
Now the next memorandum shows that the officers
OF the law not only ate the ood but assisted IN soal
ing IT,
July We divided quads which was
to take its turn in providing food Tor tho gang.
OPERATIONS GANG.
Tho operations OF the gang In winch the officers
detailed are given at great length. Kegs OF cider,
Chickens potatoes, bread, eggs, turNeys aud all
| ceivable things which arc to be found GU a
farm, were stolen. although tho detectives use
the word appropriate" moro frequently than
steal, The time spe ut in the Investigator of The
| tramp question was from July 10 to August In tho
report OF expenses OF tho department Tor the year
1877 occurs .ho item:-For travel, $l3,46i SO. The
is reasonable to iner that OF the difference or Ia
round numbers $4,000, good share was devoted to
the tramp Of the Two officers, although from the r
own statements, they lived tho farmers and VII.
| layers in the path OF their progress
THE FORCE TO BE ABOLISHED.
The force will probably be abolished during this
sion OF the Legislature. IL ought To be. There is
need OF II. The work be done by the city, town
aud county officers and there would then be
sponsbiliiy; now there Is none. Tho State officer
roams whittier he listcth; he charges his
expenses to tho State and manages pick
up something to show for his trip Ito
turns up at all The picLics, musters, excursions,
&c, and has good time with nothing TO do. lie
gets 81 200 year ana his travelling expenses, and no
prefers travelling The Governor In MS last annual
message recommended tho abolition o. the and
SUBSTITUTION OF smaller one, to consist Of about
ten men, to be under tho supervision Of
the Attorney General aud the district aItor-
neys. An investigation has already begun at
tho State House ana The hight promises 10 DO
long and hot one. The prohibition.sts, who hope
for law next year to prevent the sale OF liquors. Will
work have the force retained. for they know that
once abolished It Will DO very difficult to revive
But tho chances are that the Governors suggestion
Will be and the state relieved OF well organ
lied and well paid public nuisance.
FORCE.
Chief Stephenson deiends The force vigorously Ho
says II Is indispensable 10 the Commonwealth that 1t
is invaluable in of disturbances Ia the smaller
Giles ana towns, such strike riots, &C. the OIL
GERS, not beng KNOWN can circulate among the riot
and find out ther plans In time TO Illustrate them
They have he claims, done some valuable service IN
Ly and Marlborough since the opening OF the strikes.
lie preparing an elaborate schedule ior the Of
the investigating committee, ana will appear IN per-
and hgh Tor the state detectives. The discussion
promises 10 be the hveiiest oil the SESSION.