The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-26

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TBEIH ENFORCE
q MENf-THE POLICE JUSTICE AND WHAT he.
"a HAs DoSE~rHE TRUTH as IT NOW 4P'-
-nPEARS. l5si 55S1 9 sif-- atsi 30 t7oIai.
y A representative of this paper Yesterday
asked Polce-Jus White to tell him the,
history OF the Sunday law enforcement, and
whether he had really given orders to the
police TO enter bar-ro0ms on Sunday and
report violations. The Justice stated that
he had simply discharged his sworn duty
In the premises. and bad no apology 70 offer
therefor. He vas averse to taking any part
in the controversy on the subject, it being
his determination, as far as possible, to ptIr-
sue the even tenor Of his way, and decide
each case brought before him according to
the law and the evidence. -, ~,
:, ys8.@ A THIRD PARTY's STATEMENT.
& gentleman who was present at the con-
yersaticn between tile Justice and Major
Poe gives the following as his recollection
Of what occurred: s....., j, s.,..
On the 11th OF July the keepers OF two
bar-rooms were brought before the Justice,
charged with the violation OF the ordinance
in keeping their bar-rooms open on Sunday.
The testimony of the policeman was to the
effect that persons were seen going in and
out OF the door leading to the bar-room,
which also led to the private apartments OF
the proprietor. The Justice was not salts
fed that the ordinance had been violated,
and discharged the parties. The police
man, as is sometimes the case, was some
what ruf1ed at having failed in the prosecll-
tion, and asked the Justice what he consid-
cred sufficient evidence.
Before the Justice replied, Major Poe,
who was sitting on the platform, asked il q
policeman had the right to enter a bar-room
when he had reason to believe that the or
dinance was being violated. -.
Justice White replied substantially as fol-
lows: That the keeping OF bar-rooms open
on Sunday was violation Of the law ); that
a bar-room was public place, and any citi-
zen had right to enter it, and fortiori; ;
that when policeman, whose duty it is to
enforce the law, saw the door open, beard
voices therein and the lingling OF glasses,
or found the bar-room lighted up at night,
he bad right to enter the bar-room to sat-
isiy himself as to whether or not the law
was being violated.
The counsel for the two men reported
that day made come comment upon the fact
that they seemed TO have been specially Sc
lected, and inquired why others in the same
neighborhood had not been reported.
The Justice remarked that he bad noticed
the same thing, and desired the officers, il
they intended to enforce the law. to do so
ImpartialIy. The opinion OF the Justice
given in response to the question OF the
Chief OF Police could in nowise be construed
inte an order to the police force.
ENTERING DOORS.
The order Of the Chief OF Police to the
captains, giving what the Chief thought was
A. ooqt ho hnf n
notice /" must enter all bar-rooms with any
door omen leading thereto "-was submitted
to the Police Justice before publication.
The Police Justice stated to the officer who
brought it to him that it was substantially
correct"
1t now appears that the Police Justice
didn't notice the prominence and import
ance OF the word must, his view being that
when they report parties they mast satisfy
themselves by personal inspection that the
bars are open for business, and not bother
citizens who may be going in and out by
requiring them to come to court to testify
WHAT THE MAYOR SAYS. ..
Mayor Darlington said yesterday evening
that the present Board have not issued any
orders beaing on the subject. He says:
|. The former Board had regulation re
QulTlup .cdCl W hCSp - 1SI1S
randum-book of his official actions. 1ha
regulation is still in force, as follows:
All policemen must acquire full know
ledge OF the requirements of the rules ant
regulations provided for the government o.
the police force in order to understand ant
properly perform their duties. n
Section 81. Every policeman shall keep
diary or book in which shall be noted By
him: /. The time he takes to pass over bi:
| beat. .. The doors or entrances to stores
Oh houses he may find open i'll the night
time. 8. All nuisances on his route thai
should be promptly removed. 4. All viola
tions OF city ordinances, the names OF OF
tenders, witnesses, &c.
THE BOTTOM OUT-FINIS.
AT meeting Of the Board Of Police Com
missioners held last night the following
order Of the Chief Of Police was reScinded
OFFICE CHIEF OF PoLIcE,l
RICHMOND, July 10, 1878.
CAPTAIN: Sir,--Justicc J. j. White saiC
in opeu court the other day that the police
force must enter all bar-rooms a1ih an5
door open leading thereto, or that was
lighted up on Sunday.
This order shall expect you to carry ou'
to the very letter. Respectfully, &C.,
John Poe, Jr., Chief OF Police.