The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-05-03
LAwLrsssnsss IN THE SOUTHWEST.

Notwithstanding the presence of railroads
in New Mexico and Arizona, and the
heavy stream of immigration which has
been flowing into their borders for two OIL
three years past. il seems that all the lawless'
ness ofthe country has concentrated itseli
there. Between white marauders and red
devils, 1t is difficult to determine
which of the two classes is the worse, ana
there has been perfect carnival OF CRIME
and bloodshed. AT regular intervals we
are treated to the now stale news OF In
dian outrage, alternating with what
is termed cowboy troubles or robber ex-
PLOTS. In the last few days the murderous
Apaches have again been at work dealing
death and destruction on all sides The
governor of the territory and the military
seem powerless to act, and when they do
manifest any disposition to restore peace
and quiet to the towns and the mining
camps they do SO with so little intelligence
that their greatest success is exceedingly
doubtful, and temporary at best In the
incuHtlmc tuo .Iuiicheo anu N"ihP' "'S ~
duced TO n waste, citizens are MUIR
dcred by scores and trains, both
railroad and wagon trains, are
wrecked and robbed and burned.
Matters have come to such a pass that II
has been found necessary to hold special
cabinet session to consider the matter.
Mr., ARrHURs and the sage cabinet OH
GERS knowledge of Arizona troubles and
the remedies to be applied is better i'm
agined. perhaps, than described. tits pure
theorizing upon fancied facts. Nothing
was ever accomplished in such ways. The
only correct policy, the only one promising
success must be founded upon accurate
knowledge and personal experience or OBJ.
servaton. Texas has passed through the
ordeal and we think it can safely be af.
iirmed that no people ever so effect.
ually and wisely handled the 'border
troubles" question as have the citizens OF
this state, If, however, the state had de-
pended upon the regular army or contented
itself with calling upon the general gov
crnment for aid, we would probably have
still been in the same condition in which
Arizona finds itself to-day. Instead thereof,
the ranger force was organized. picked with
special reference to bravery and the handy
use of the pistol and horse, paid far better
than the regular soldier, confined to the one
work of keeping the border quiet, regardless
of circumstances, and joined by the bonds
of free and constant companionship.
The result Is feather in the
states cap and two hundred and fifty men
now accomplish between Ell Paso and
Brownsville what two thousand regular
soldiers could not do. Some time ago the
governor of one of the territories named
had an offer from regiment of our state
troops to so into service for him, the terri.
tory to pay and provision them properly,
and If the offer had been accepted the cabi.
net would not be meeting to solve the
problem but the governor declined and
continued calling upon the president for
troops. In the northwestern territories
lawlessness was never stopped until the Wig
iantes got to managing affairs, but even
they are not rs efficient as paid and
picked body who know just what they have
to do AID how TO do It, The regular soldier
never will know how to fight the cowboy
and the Indian. The methods of each are
peculiar to their manner of life and in
sparsely settled sections the soldier, by
reason Of his discipline, tactics and re.
straint, is at wonderful disadvantage.
The question, therefore, in the light of facts
and experience becomes very simple one
which the head of the battalion of Texas
rangers could settle before the fed
to do. 1t looks simply absurd
therefore to see grave cabinet sessions held
and long dissertations delivered ON the tru,
policy to be observed while the people are
being stricken down. II looks like learned
and prolonged conference OF doctors over &
man who is rapidly dying for the want o
a few simple but speedy restoratves. Tn,
wsest thing IL seems TO us the president
| could do, would ne 10 recommend 10 INT
territorial government the organization o
an experienced and intelligent band
of rangers, at once, with instruc
tons generally and simply to put
down lawlessness and outrages from what
ever source, and in the manner best SEEM
ing to them. The idea Of our army or navy
being manipulated for any meiu purpose
has become farcical in the ext en- 1t viii
go without saying, that those who know
most about an evil know best how t
prevent and correct it. II is criminal stu
pidity to longer permit such magnificent
countries 10 become terrorized by few
bands Of cowardly cut.throats, and there Il
no excuse for II.
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