Daily Republican., 1880-11-29
The Psltce Force.
For the Republican.

/
MRssRs. EDtEoRs Your editorial
remarks on proposed increased 20.
lice force In Fridays REPUBLICAN are
timely and sensible, Though | do moi
endorse the political or partisan views
which you express In relation TO the
measure. On the whole, our city has
besn rs well governed under the ad-
ministration Of the present Mayor az
during that Of any Of his predecessors.
Whenever he has appeared to fsil in
the performance Of his Official duty his
failure may be attributed more TO Q
want Of lawful power, or inadequate
means, than to lack Of efficiency or
fidelity TO his trust.
The security Of person and property
in every community depends greatly
on the character OF the people who
compose 1t. The citizens OF Whining
ton, as . body, are as peacesbls, we'll
ordered and Law abiding as any similar
body elsewhere. With . population Of
upwards Of 40, 200, the per osntage Of
crime Is very small, breaches Of the
peace being confined to the ignorant,
degraded and intsmpsrste. The late
attack on Judge Wales, near the corner
Of Delaware Avenue and Jeferson street,
was an exceptional case, and was NO
doubt made with the design ofrobbery
The perpetrator OF the attack did not
belong here. He was 8 tramp, perhaps
3 jail bird, lately liberated snd on the
wing again for plunder. Delaware
Avenue 10 rs safe . thoroughfare now
as ever, and 1t does not require the
fanciful and rather absurd theory Of
collision with an old screw Of horse
to reassurs the minds Of the timid and
to preserve the reputation Of the Ave.
nue. as q safe and peaceful neighbor-
hood.
But the object Of this brief note and
the point to which l desire to direct
the attention Of our city guardians Is
this: There Is q law on the Statute
book, passed nearly two years ago, en-
IAN Act concerning tramps, the
irst section Of which reads as follows
''Any person without a home in the
.own or hundred In which he may be
found wandering without employment,
md the regular and visible means OF
living, shall be deemed and taken to
be tramp and shall be dealt with &C
The succeeding sections
provide for the arrest and punishment
II the offender-the punishment being |
not at all severe or terrible, but sufi-
ient, II the law be properly enforced,
0 rid any district of such unvelOOme
ad undesirable intrudefs.
Now. have been informed, on good
Iuihority, that for several days prior
0 the attack already mentioned. two
r thres suspicious characters ad been
,roW ling about the vicinity Of Della
rare Avenue and the Brandywine,
rest of Adams street, and 1t ia highly
robable that one Of the fellows made
he unsuccessful attack on Judge
Vales.
--Ths villains purpose was thwarted
y the Judge staggering ACROSS the
Ivenue and calling for help, instead Of
llltng on the spot when he was sirnck.
(, when those tramps had first been
en-, an officer had demanded their
ames, residences and occupations,
nd in default OF satisfactory answers,
rrested and taken them before mag
,trate for . hearing, the somewhat
tsrtling occurrence on the evening Off
be 18th instant might have betn avoid
4. There is nothing like espionage
: tyranny in this Law. Society must
rotect itself, and liberty without law Is
censs and anarohy. No honest man
Ill refuse to give an account Of him
slf when properly aecosted in the
anne of the law. 1t may like every
her protective measure, be liable to
Duse, but in the main II will afford Q
lield and defense TO honest people !
ON the depre1ations or violence
the few whs roam about streets
roads, watching Tor opportunities Of
.eft or robbery. As you properly OBJ
rive, we cannot afford to have 9 po-
cemsn stationed at every corner .
Irsughout the city, nor can the most
Iacting advocate Of home rale demand
lat an officer shall bs within sight or
Ill on all occasions. Bach citizen
ust assume some small risk OF danger,
1t the risk inconsiderAbls As It now is
III BE- reduced and made almost in.
II the tramp law is rigidly
forced. W. !