Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-14
THE POLICE CLUB.
A Case to Decide When II May Be
Used.
BelleyiIIe, Of the Police Force, on Trial fol
Acknowledgements on the General
Use Of the Mace.

A case of assault and battery is now on
trial before Justice Bulger that is OF more
than usual interest, and the outcome will
be awaited with anxiety by the police, at
least. The case is that of tho State vs.
Officer Belleville, of the city police force,
on Q charge brought by a colored man
named Pen Mason. Bslleville arrested
Mason on Saturday night, and in so doing
used his mace, administering severe club
bling, the effects OF which now show fright
fully. The merits Of this case will be
brought out during the trial, but talk
on police clubbing, in general, is in
oder. The law very carefully pro-
tects the person OF man, and an
officer must be very careful how
he assaults a prisoner with that terri
bic club. For mere resistance, without an
assault, an officer has no more right than
a private citizen to use so deadly weapon
as the loaded club, yet, in the knowledge
of the writer, the city police hare used it in
Just such cases. Simply because man
pulls back when arrested, is no excuse for
such bloody work as has been often per-
formed. The law provides severe penalty,
when prisoner resists and many times, in
the past six months, Capt. BENEFITS force
hasinvited resistance by not preferring such
a charge againsta prisoner. An officer may
deputize any citizen to assist in making an
arrest and the law will punish a refusal,
but test case will show that no officer OF
the police force can brutality beat up pris-
oner, unless he shows fight and ASSAULT the
policeman. In nine cases out OF ten. cow
ardice induces an officer to use his club
and il will be found that the best and
bravest officers of our force seldom or
never resort to the horrible weapon. III
sober man ressts, let the officer prefer
charge Of such against him and term in
the city prison will quickly cure him and
deter others from future resistance,
but enough Of this cowardly
battering up with clu bs. A police officer
has hard work TO perform aud every en-
couragement should be extended to him in
his arduOus task, aye, and will be always
by the REGISTER, except VIXEN such useless
and cowardly argument as the mace is
brought to bear. II Bellville is shown to
have been justified in his assault, he OF
course will he hOnorab!y acquitted, but il
il Is proved there was not sufficient provi.
cation, he should get the extent OF the
law.
The whole matter hinges upon whether
l'lt lltRIO dSouullcu MN duu ChuSuI MN
by the throat. This has not yet been
proved, but the defense has not concluded
its testimony.
The case came to trial yesterday after
noon before jury OF six presided over by
Justice Bulger. Mr.. f. q. CraCraft repre-
sented the State, and Mr. George b. Cald-
well appeared for Belleville. Several wit
nesses, about ten in all were examined for
he State. They were separated, but their
stories tailed well, and 10 the effect that
the negro had only resisted and wanted to
90 back for his clothing, which Bsllsville
refused to allow. For the defense, James
Kne testified to Mason disturbance in his
,slOoD, for which he had elected him.
II Stler Dean, at the hope hose house,
had seen the arrest and thought the negro
had Caught Belleville by the throat.
In the absence of material witnesses for
the defense, the case was continued until
nine o'clock this morning.