St. Landry democrat., 1883-06-09
ROWDYISM AND RUFFIAN1SM.
New Orleans States.

The recent brutal and cowardly as
sault upont Mr.. Lavillebenvre, one ol
our most respectable and orderly cltl-
zens, without cause or prOvOcatl0n, ny a
notorious hoodlum and rough with MS
associates of like disreputable character
calls for something more than is usually
meted out to such despicable charac1eis.
tits seldom that criminals OF the CLASS
of Hanlon and Sony DAILY ever receive
Just punishment for their dlstufpan,ee I,
of the peace and their violations OF lno
law. They are either paroled OF ~
leased on straw bail and frequently es-
cape trial from some cause or anoIher.
The courts and jury trials, as well as
the nolice afford no protection to the
people of this city. The hoodlums are
in possession OF the town. The pollce
are afraid of them i; juries and Wltnes- 3
ses are intimidated and dare not testify
and convict. Such is the state OF affairs
and it is lust about time when the
| good and orderly people OF New Orleans
| should band together, and, as a meas
ure of safety for themselves and faml-
lies. to take out a few such laWiess
characters as have made this city a by,
word for rowdyism and ruffianism, ana
hang them without trial, judge or jury.
4 1t is the only protection for the people.
Criminal prosecutions in New Ufleans 3
have become q farce. In the race OF an
/ insufficient and inefficient police no one
/ is safe. =, :
i In San Francisco years ago, when the
thieves. gamblers and roughs were
about to take possession OF the CITY,
i they we're met by vigilance commlG-
4 tee which soon disposed of the noto-
1 rious leaders of this gang who were
brought to an abrupt termination OF
!, their criminal career by a summary. ex-
When peaceable and respectable cit,
izens cannot walk the streets OF this
city, through the most popular thor
/ oughfares, without being brutally 4, as
, saulted and beaten, as MIR. LaVlille
/ beuyre was by Hanlon and Daily, IL Il
: time for the people to take the law II
!, their own hands, when the authofitle
4 fail to execute it, and mete out meritet
, and Just punishment to these sc0undrei
t and assassins. 80,
t street like Royal, and within one squaaI
4 of Canal, that it would be possible 10
: three or four roughs and hoodlums
{ Well-known to the police through tn
: frequency of their outrageous condnc,
g could stand at the corners and lnsnl
n and assault orderly and well-knoW
d citizens with impunity and hold posses
3 sion Of their ground for an hour Wlthou
being arrested by the police. And .y,e
o such was the case when Mr.. LaVllle
4 beuvre was beaten by Hanlon, DAILY an
Y Dunford.
n The trial Of these miscreants has bee
d fixed for next Wednesday before tn
# Criminal Court. But even if convicte
p and sentenced to the highest penalty =
d the law it will be only a fine and IN
=. prisonment in the Parish Prison thel
!. remain for few months at the expen'
,e Of the city and at the expiration OF the
= term to be turned loose again upon Il
+ community to resume their brutal pra
s. tices. -,
atI The spirit Of lawlessness and ruffial
20 20 ism in this city is on the increase, and
le will never be suppressed by the mi nj
70 methods which are now in vogue. On
Of Of summary punishment by an Outrage
ne and indignant people will bring tn
10 safety and protection which the Ia
he and its officers are either unwilling
ly unable to afford.