San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-01-13
FRIDAY, JANUARY, 10, 1888.
A REFORM NEEDED.

circumstances, concerning which It IS
not now necessary to particularize, &C.
curing in this city during the past few
weeks and months, have given our peo-
pie an unenviable nOtoriety abroad.
Nothing has more conspired to this end
than the practice Of certain peace Off
GERS, who carry their weapons while of
duty, and under the influence OF intOxi-
cgnts often become very dangerous to
the peace and THE personal safety OF
citizens. Officers Of this county and OF
other counties as well, and officers OF
this municipality, go out for an even
ing's pleasure, or to make a night OF 1t,
and, having filed themselves too full OF
the cup which inebriates as well as
cheers, act out the native instincts OF
their being unrestrained by that eau
ton, reason, sense OF prOpriety and
all else that In their sOberness
serves to restrain and control their
action. What any given man will do
when under the Influence Of intoxicants
1t is very hard to predict. 1t certainly
is not going too far TO say that the very
uncertainty attaching TO action under
such conditions would suggest the i'm
prOpriety, TO say no more, OF persons
liable to become intoxicated being in
trusted with authority to carry deadly
weapons. 1t is only very few DAYS ago
that in one of the principal hotels in this
city the life OF the clerk was ieOpardized
by the vagaries Of an intoxicated deputy
sheriff, who insisted that he owed the
hotel money and wanted to pay 1t, The
clerk not wishing to accept money
under such circumstances, knowing
that the man did not owe the
house anything, naturally objected to
pocket the money thrust toward him.
His refusal was promptly followed by q
swift motion to the hip on the part of
the peace officer" and the drop was
made on the clerk before he knew his
danger. Two friends who accompanied
this pescesble officer prevented blood
shed, by quickly and quietly disarming
the hero. This Is but one instance,
among many, that might be cited to
show that the practice of carrying con-
cesled weapons by peace officers is an
exceedingly dangerous. one. There is
entirely too much latitude taken by and
conceded to county, state and municipal
officers, for the public good and the pub
lie peace and the public safety. Instead
OF feeling themselves doubly bound by
their official positions to respect law,
too many Of these officers seem to re-
gard themselves as above law and think
that 1t Is an impertinence to
NEEDLE with, or mention, their In
fractions Of law, and their
offences against the public peace.
So long as "peaCe officers" brawl in the
saloons, make night hideous with their
revelry, insult and curse hackmen and
carmen because they make just and le-
gal demands upon them for services rem
dered, prowl around houses OF prostitu-
tion and gambling dens, and openly con-
sort with lewd characters so as to bring
upon them the notice Of the public-sU
long will this city continue to be regard.
ed, far and wide, as the widest. wick
eldest city In this country. 1t is not
pleasant for reputable citizens Of San
Antonio, visiting eastern and northern
cities, to be confronted with questions
concerning the characte: Of her officials
which reflect severely and justly upon
the public morals which allow such
things. There is world OF good In this
city, or it could not survive the pressure
OF such an incubus. 1t lie not right that
the good name Of the city should be
ieopardized by such acts. 1t is enough
to have to bear the burden Of brawllng,
drunken rowdies upon her streets and
in her saloons who are not privileged by
law to carry concealed weapons, with
out adding thereto the terror OF armed
officers who abuse the privileges OF
their position and bring terror where
they are sworn to conserve peace. The
attention OF the LIGHT was called to this