The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-11-09
Much Ado About Nothing!
A Foolish Exhibition of Official
Authority.

We often hear the statement made
that city officials, especially policemen
in large cities, are clothed with abso-
lutte power that justifies them in ma
king any charge, true or untrue, against
r sDectable bcitizens, and acting upon
the plan that they have right to in
suit anyyperson whom they chance to
meet; but it remained for a minor
officer in the quiet village of Ravenna
to stoop below the meanness of disrep-
utable policemen and to interpret his
vested authority to be such as to make
it duty to investigate the life and
character of every quiet, law-abiding
citizen, and to seek notoriety by search
ing after imaginary crimes.
Buta few days ago Charles Yahrling,
| peaceable, inOffensive man, employ
ed by G. F. Goeppinger, was approach
ed by the Deputy Sheriff Of Ravenna
and another official, and given to un-
derstand that sometime in the dim past
murder had been committed in the
vicinity of the tannery, and that GER
tain suspicious pointed towards him
as the assassin, united with the idea
that he had buried his victim at the
back of his barn. A search was there
fore made, and several hours were
spent in digging for the supposed body,
Mr.. Yahrling accompanying them du-
ring this time. In the meantime ru-
NOR was afioat, and here and there
upon street corners were found small
bodies of men eagerly devouring any
, scandalous report borne to their ears,
and circulating the same as rapidly as
possible. People thought of this wise
uneartheda deep mystery by his keen,
far-seeing knowledge. But what was
f the result of the search Simply moth
= ing. He found what he was looking
looking for-fame, but it was shor
e lived. What was their verdict? Sim
g ply that it was mistake. The who'll,
1 affair was base fabrication made by
the officer for the purpose of becoming
/ famous as detective.
: He retired from the scene of his far
= seeing Investigation with the con
: sciousness that he had elevated himsel
n in the eyes of the good people of Ra
g VIENNA as guardian of right and
n searcher after unseen and never com
!. mitted crimes.
O No doubt the only regret experience
g was that no crime had actually beel
committed, and in this he was console
It by the thought that doubtless som
Is would laud him for his watchfulness
Z and some might think the other guilty
= Perhaps no one can realize the ser
e BUSINESS of such charge so we'll as MI
V Yahrling. He is the injured party
e and where is his vindication? A goo
.e citizen, having wife and children t
re live for and relying upon his daily Ii
j. Dor and his integrity for support, thu
Is made the object of such serious chare
A. suffels more keenly than we can eve
ID imagine. True, he can vindicate hin
A. self in the eyes of all pure minde
a people, but were all the citizens
* Ravenna endowed with the spirit an
c. principle of the officer who made Il
charge, 1t would be impossible for an
~ man to be vindicated.
er If an officer thirsts after fame, /
10 him be manly enough not to attem1
40 40 to gain it by dragging down a pu
minded, quiet man, but rather by pr
ld tecting the citizens of his communit
ITS to whom he is indebted for his suppor
re The responsibility of this action res
l. upon some one. Deputy Sheriff M
10 nary admits that the proceeding W
Vi wrong, and the pretended suspicic
he unfounded, and offers as his only e.
nd cuse that he was informed by 9th
no parties of circumstances warranti1
-, an investigation, but he refused to I
III veal the source from which he obtai
Is, ed his information. Excuses can
made for any action, but unreasonab
on excuses only serve to fasten a wror
s. upon the one who offers them, Al
vi the fact that Menary refused to disclo
Ip, the secret of who it was, to throw al
ar- light upon this causeless suspicio
only fastens the responsibility mo
-, firmly upon him alone.
y Mr.. Yahrling has been grossly wron
* ed, and by this pretended official, a.
G. common justice or even decency {
mands that if there was reason for
,o4 it should be known, and in the absen
7c' of such knowledge, the verdict MI
VS.. necessarily be that it was suspi ci
ze. unfounded and base, without shade
,ps of justification. It is an outrage agair
o. Mr.. Yahrling, and an insult to eve
Oh good citizen of the town. A man
Zip clothed in little authority, that
to may protect, and be servant of la
me abiding men, and not 80 clothed, tt
ans he may crafty his own selfish prope
CHS sites. And if people do not show tn
fd, indignation concerning such outrag
for they have forgotten the principles
no civil liberty. D