The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1878-05-04
AN IMPRESSIVE LESSON.

Aue lesson Taught by the recent rob-
berries in this section of the state and
the means used to capture the perpe>
traitors, IS most impressive one indeed,
and the people of Texas, prompt rs they
are IN all other things relative to the
well-being OF the state, will not be slow
IN making the application. The ortiin.
a.y means at the command of the exc
cutive department is insufficient 10
contend with the organized forces of
the lawless This truth has been etfec~
ualy demonstrated within fftv miles
OF Dallas during the two months last
past Four trains were robbed of large
sums OF money, aud not single arrest
was effected until the state police"
appeared on the ground in sufficient
numbers to contend with the band Of
outlaws who boldly robbed and def
antiy established themselves in the
heart OF the country, IN which their OF.
erations were carried on. The means
e'7's''J a. manu- III tue iecHIltiSs IN
which these bands work are altogether
insufficient aud the need. ave. actual
and pressing necessity for thoroughly
organized, disciplined and trained state
police, ever ready, ever prompt and in
hand, Is now conceded by all
Our frontier battalion under Major
Jones, ia an admirable force in all re-
spects, save only in numbers Charged
as 1t is, with the peculiar duty
OF guarding the frontier from
Indian AID Mexican incursions,
up to this time its police functions
have been merely incidental, while
1t lie true, it has performed, and well
too. much active, dangerous and intri-
cate service in all the functions of an
especial police force, yet, thus divid-
ing its attention and energies does not
conduce co the greatest efficiency in
either branch of its duties A perma,
nent force with strict police functions,
armed to act against desperate banditti.
with all the Instincts Of the higher order
of peace or police officers. held well in
hand and controlled by an able, fear,
less and incoTruotible officer, such Il.
he who now commands the battalion,
would soon drive out of the state every
unholy combination such as that OF
Bass, and thus save the state in costly
and futile expenditure far more
than their pay, equipment and rations
would cost Besides this, the sense OF
security felt by the people when they
had come to learn that they were TO
be protected from these bands, would
prove most healthy circumstance all
round. In our neighboring county,
Denton, where Bass and his band had
established themselves, the quiet peo-
pie IN the neighborhood we're forced TO
wink at their doings. or keep and OBJ
serve strict neutrality as between the
outlaws and the officers of the law, be,
cause if they did not. the deadly Win.
| chester and the midnight torch would
soon have reduced them to reason. vir.
tue is strong in and of itself, but il is
much more effective against the des>
perate and the lawless when il has com
petent physical force to lean upon.
1t would be well, with all these lights
before US, if we would agitate the mat
ter now, while we are casting about for
members of the legislature which is to
meet this fall This question of a com.
petent police force Tor Texas will surely
come up, ard an expression at this time
as to how the prospective member
stands on this, as well as other vital
questions, is of the utmost importance.
Texas Is now only passing through
the scenes, and experiencing what every
other new state has felt at her stage of
settlement Will she wisely conclude
to drive the outlaws beyond her border
at little present cost, in order to in,
sure speedy future quiet, which is 10
be of untold value 10 her, and her every
interest and prospects If so. she must
take steps to render permanent the
present force, and to so improve il az
TO insure its greater efficiency.