The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-09-22
TIE Jail Delivery.

Elsewhere in THE NEWS will be found
a full account of the escape of a large
number of prisoners from the county
Jail. in this city. The delivery was in
broad daylight, and at a time when
everybody We're attending to their ordi-
nary avocations and pursuits. 1t was
executed with such holiness and success
"a to astonish everybody who heard of
it. The deputy sheriff entered the Jail,
followed by his servant. to feed the
prisoners; he was knocked down, over
powered, and the prisoners walked out
of the open doors. This is the account
in brief. The rest consists of the pursuit
of the prisoners, with such success as
may be reported this morning.
There is something about this business
that will bear investigation. Not that
part where the over confident deputy
was overpowered and rendered helpless,
while the prisoners escaped, but the sys-
tenn of management that will admit of
bold and fearless escape like this. The
transaction is one wholly inexcusable.
and shows on its face want OF vigi-
lance and forethought for the public
veal. In open daylight eleven of the
most noted criminals in our county
prison, one of them convicted muir
derer, and others under arrest fer assault
with intent to kill, escape, and the
whole community startled and alarmed
at the serious consequences that ma
follow. OF what use is a new and Sc
cure jail, and bolts and locks? OF what
use are peace ofiicers-of their plans of
security and protection to society?
This entire business has the appear
ance of criminal negligence and a gross
and careless disregard of the demands of
have occurred almost any day. 1t was
the simplest thing imaginable. The
escape only makes the management con-
spicuous for its reckless insecurity. If,
with a new and strong Jail, we can not
securely keep the criminals of the county
confined, what can be done for the safety
of the public?
But jails alone are not enough-it re
quires vigilance on the part of the au-
thorities who have the custody of prs-
oners. Any one can see that there was
a lack of vigilance in the matter. The
same plan followed in future would give
the public no more security than the
open fields. Prisoners can laugh at
locks and bolts. The peaceful citizen
can he shot down in broad daylight, and
his murderer, after brief incarceration.
can walk out, possibly to repeat his
crimes. In Gods name, where is our
protection OF what use are laws, courts
or peace officers?
DO we see nothing in this that needs
correction? Shall criminals - unpun-
ished, laws remain dead letter. and the
peace and order of society be broken up g?
Let the people take the business of en-
forcing the laws into their own hands.
If necessary let officers who disregard
their duties, or are careless of the secu-
rity of society, be set aside. and honest.
fearless, Jealous men put in their places.
The public demands security, and no
man who is Indifferent 20 it should be
allowed to hold his office n moment
longer.
This bold, open delivery of prisoners
from our county Jail should be investi- |
gated, and, if found to be the result of
official carelessness, the sheriff should |
be removed from office. Murderers |
have escaped from his custody and are
now at large. If his want of vigilance !
is the cause let him stand aside. Ills |
ADMINISTRATION Is weak. insecure and /
dangerous. In the name of law and (
order. let the people have some return for
all their expenditure and sacrifice.
n Whopper from California.