Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-14
CRIME AT WASHINGTON.
REPORT OF THE CITIZENS CoMMITTEE-A
EpTGuTITTF

FRIGHTFUE SHOWING.
WASHINGTON, March 13-The citizeus'
committee, org nix ID some weeks ago 10 take
concerted action for the suppression OF crime
10 this city, particularly burglary and rob
berry, which had become so aisrmingly fire.
quent, while detection and punishment OF
the thieves had become correspondingly in
frequent, met this afternoon TO re-
ceiye the report of the chairman, John W.
Thompson, upon The work accomplished.
The report is Yoluminous, and discusses the
eituatien which necessitated the movement,
and details the steps leadiug up to the re-
suits accomplished. These, in a general
way, have been published from day 10 day,
and in conclusion are thus summed up:
First-The committee discovered the existence
of organized combinations to rob the city and pro-
tect the guilty perpetrators of crime.
Second-The COMMITTEES discovered that while
the thief relies upon receivers of sto en- goods to
detective officers and sometimes upon other men,
bers of the police force, to secure himself from
rest, trial and conviction.
Third-The committee Uncovered who are the
principal receivers OF stolen goods as well as the
mes of the officers charged with the detection
OF crime on whom the thieves relied for protec-
ton.
Fourth-Tne committee has been able to sup
ply proof OF facts and circumstances which re-
and not only demonstrated that Separs te organi-
ration OF few well persons as detectives,
does not teno 10 eltner prevent or detect crime,
but finally secured the abolition, by act of Con-
gress, of the entire detective force.
Fifth-The committee not only discovered the
names of the perpetrators OF a large number of
crimes before unknown. but placed such testi-
mony before the grand jury, which a result, re-
suited in the finding of thiIty-four indictments,
principally against detective officers and receivers
OF stolen goods, which they deem it to be Of most
vital Importance TO have speedily brought
to trial, and finally. have secured such
full and adequate information in relation
to the operation of criminals, names and methods
of their confederaes ia the police force and among
dealers whose shops dot more than one of our
streets, and who alone make crime easy and de-
lection impossible, and that information has been
so fully placed before the public that il these in
vestigations are not continued and these com.
binations broken up the public officers whose
sworn duty il is to see that the laws faithfully
executed and the guilty punished, will be justly
chargeable for what the citizens may hereafter sui
fer from criminal depredagions The way for the
future is plain and the labor comparatively
light. 1hrtats of violence and slanderou,
accusations v1l have little terror hereafter to
who conscientiousy engaged in organized
effort to protect life and property in our midst
while the entire community cannot but be sensi
BILE of the dangers from which it has been at less
partially saved, and be ready cordially to cooper
ate in all proper measures which may be inau
gurated for the suppression Of crime and purgins
the public service.