Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-16
PROPOSED CONVENTION OF PEACE
OFFICERS.

these columns. They have been given
added force by recent events. The pursuit
Of the Mendocino outlaws by the Sheriff
of a distant and by no means wealthy
county, was one of the most daring, per-
sistent and successful But while it was
| in the interest of all the people of all the
State. and to secure old criminals who
sought the outlying county for field of
operations because of It's sparse population
and supposed inability to send officers
after desperadoes, yet upon the people of
that county is saddled the whole expense
of the pursuit, the cost of trials and of
executions-a burden they viii probably
feel for years. So, too, with regard to the
punishment of highway robbers; it falls
upon the poorer counties because they are
chosen by the knights of the road for the
very reason of their remoteness, and the
inability OF the local officers to follow the
trespassegs. Thus, the lack of a
State force with power in all
counties, of stationed officers in
various parts in constant communica-
ton with chief the lack of central
fund. gathered from all the people for the
protection of all +; the limited powers and
finances at command of Sheriffs the
arbitrary county lines all invite to crime,
clog the path of pursuit and defeat the
ends of justice. These are but few of
the texts for elaborate argument in favor
of State Constabulary, which is more
needed in California than in any other
State. How to secure this desirable force
is the present question. Its desirability is
not denied seriously. Legislators have adj
mitted its wisdom, but personal ambition,
jealousy and selfishness prevented action.
What is now necessary is to secure the at
tention of candidates for legislative posi-
tions, to get an expression of the people on
the subject, and to present the matter in
such light, with all possible objections as
well as affirmative arguments, that there
can be no misapprehension of it, and no
hesitancy on the part of the Legislature to
act promptly, either to test the proposed
system by actual trial. or squarely reject it.
Theopinions and advice of the leading peace
officers of the State will be of great weight
with the people. Their experience has
brought them into contact with every
phase of the question. Their decision will
amount to verdict upon it. 1t has been
proposed by number of these gentlemen
to call Convention, to meet in the State
Capitol building on Wednesday or Thurs,
day of the week in which the State Fair is
to be held. AS presented to US, the prop
osition is to invite every Sheriff, Police
Judge, Marshal, Chief of Police, detective
officer and private chief detective to attend,
as also the Wardens and Turkeys of the
prisons, the State Prison Directors, the
Mayors of the cities and towns, the Presi-
dent of every Board of Supervisors, and
the District Attorney of every county
The object Of the Convention shall be the
discussion of the best means for the pur-
suit, capture and punishment of criminals );
the BEST methods for securing the co-ope.a "a
ton and satisfactory eonjoint action OF all
peace officers to those ends; the equitable
distribution of the burdens of such pur.
suit, capture and conviction among the
counties, and the best methods to be
adopted to prevent the commission Of rob-
berries and outrages upon the property and
persons OF the people, and in this connec-
ton the ACCESSIBILITY of establishing State
Constabulary force The deliberations and
conclusions OF such Convention must be
of great weight. The facts which would
be developed in s1ch conference would
serve as a guide to legislative action.
The meeting of such body of men
would certainly result in the evolution
of some system TO supersede the present
unreliable one, under which each county
is a separate jurisdiction with no powers
beyond its arbitrary boundaries, and by
which upon the weakest members Of the
commonwealth deyoIyes the burden of de-
Tending all the others from the assaults of
the criminal class. and under which also
there's constant invitation to outrage upon
the highway and an absence Of all checks
upon the daring Of the outlaw. It is to be
hoped that the contention viii be held.
The expense of the convocation will be
nothing beyond the personal cost of travel,
and as it viii be held at time when very
many of those whose attendance is desired
will be present at the State Fair, it would
seem that the assembly proposed ought to
be full and a representative body. Ger
tainly the officers named can afford in their
own and the public interest to assume the
small cost named and give the State the
benefit OF their advice counsel and ex-
perience.