The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-09-01
THF PUBLIC GOOD
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 81, 1888,

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 81, 1883.
Editors Herald:
The question of placing our city
police force IN uniform is one in
which the people are the most int
matsly concerned. The position of
a policeman is one Ct service for a
consideration. No man is forceT,
in time of peace. to accept the posi-
ton of constable or soldier. The
acceptance Or non acceptance of
the position is optional with the
qualified citizen The general Gov
eminent places the soldier in uni
| form; a city corporation does the
same with the constable upon the
same principle. Whoever accepts
either calling accepts it's honors, its
dangers and its responsibility for a
consideration-in dallars and cents
TO serve the publIc-the people.
The rules and regulations are under
stood by the contracting parties as
in any other business matter. The
soldier can insure his Life; so can
policeman, nightWatchman, a
clerk, a bod carrier, in lite in
surance company, if it will take the
ordinary risks, for certain sum of
money, 10 be paid by the insurer,
per annum. This is an individual
matter The employer does not con-
slider it part of his duty or to be
under any obligation to afford this
personal protection. at the same
time, however, he is ameuable to
law and public opinion if injury is
done in any way to the "hired help,
through his neglect or rashness.
In this manner all servants are
alike protected, either in a private
or public capacity,
That a policeman is exposed to
more danger, dressed in uniform,
when on duty than when attlred in
plain clothes, is question open to
discussion. The writer takes the
position that he is not more exposed
and is more useful when on duty, in
uniform, to the general public. To
the Would-be-a ssassin's eye the star
on the vest when exposed would be
| as quickly noticed as suit of grey
cloth as a mark for his evil purpose.
The presence of an officer in uniform
often prevents the commission of a
crime. Even the cry "the
police are coming" would
scatter the roughs before they
would have time to strike the first
blow, through fear Of being arrested
on suspicion.
The law-abiding citizen seeing the
uniformed officer in the distance,
would "hurry up" and impart such
necessary information in his ear as
would enable him to move with dis
patch and arrest the thief making
his escape round the corner"
There is majesty in uniformed
officer-the majesty Of the laW-to
be respected by all, and feared by
tTansgressors. AS a matter of
course, detectives in plain clothes
are always IN order in a city where
men in uniform are always on duty
A nightWatchman Informed
the writer that not long
since, when on duty on
First South street, city, as he
approached two gentlemen on the
sidewalk, himself coming from the
opposite side Of the street, in a
moment their pistols were in posi-
ton to fire. He exclaimed: "I'm
an officer" and so saved himself.
They had taken him for a garroter.
They were well known citizens.
How dangerous it is for men to be
on public duty in private clothes
under such circumstances. If this
nightwatchman had been in uniform
his life would not have been thus
| jeopardized, or such a grave mis-
take made to the great annoyance of
the officer.
In increasing our police force, it
would help the cause to have a
couple of mounted officers, to patrol
the outskirts of the corporation, of
course in uniform, lest they may be
mistaken for two prowling cowboys,
in lieu of two dignifed and valorous
guardians of the loyal natives,
| honorable denizens Of the Queen
City of the mountains. INDEX.