Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-29
STATE CoNsTA3ULARY.
The Colusa Sun says ::


We haven't got the law for the pursuit and
capture OF criminals exactly right. The incen-
tive for pursuit, except in 80 far as an officer
takes pride In the matter, is entirely wanting.
The Sheriff of this county was out several hun
dred dollars on the Hong Di case. he sent
man East after Dixon, and the bill for sctual
expenses has been hanging fire ever since be-
fore the State Beard of Examiners He has
spent considerably over 4 thousand dollars on
the yelling case. and a bill for Si6S 6j for the
actual expenses Of the witnesses to identify the
man captured was rejected by the Board of
Supervisors the other day. We do not say the
action of the Bonrd was wrong because we do
not know the law. We do not come at this
time 10 criticise anybody. but the law. 1t is
plain to US that as the matter stands there is no
incentive for an officer to follow up any clue he
may have. If some one at q distance informs
an ohlcer OF the presence Of one who has com
united crime, VIII not the officer hesitate long
Geiore he spends money looking the matter up
when all the expenses must come out OF his
own pocket? Mr.. Beville informs US that he Is
paying interest on over 5000 that he Ia cut in
the pursui: of criminals, with chance of get
ting back portion Of what he spent sending
for Dixon. Under this condition of affairs, is
there any incentive Cor using any energy IN
auch work. Is the officer not rather interested
IN giving all "clues" an incredulous smile,
and in sitting still!
1t is an old, old subject. There is but
one way in which TO dispose of it, and
that is to establish State constabulary.
In State of such immense area as that
OF California. the topography of which is
So diversified, the distances so great and
the means of pursuit OF offenders so few
and weak, there is absolute need for a
force of not less than five men, commits
stoned by the State to follow criminals
anywhere, regardless of county lines, and
unhampered by the question "Who will
pay the bills?" As the law no stands
y Sheriff, as the Sun remarks, has no
lneentive-except that of private reward
IN case of success-to pursue 4 criminal
Indeed, the greater chances are against the
Sheriff recovering any compensation what
ever. The result is that the rogues, aware
Of the fact, and have little fear of long Or
hot pursuit. Again, highway robheries
occur usually in counties least able to bear
the expense of long pursuit of road
agents, whereas it is to the interest of all
the people that the rascals should be cap
tured. Escapes" from justice and red
handed criminals usually flee to the distant
and thinly settled counties, and the people
must trust to the Sheriffs-who generally
have but meager information concerning
the men--to capture them. But with Il
constabulary corps, with power to 90 in
any direction at once, and without the fear
of being "out of pocket" the results would
be greater likelihood of capturing Grim
lnais, less expense in the long run" to the
taxpayers, wiser distribution of the burden
OF cost, and of course greater risk in COM
uniting crime, and hence fewer crimes
Moreover, State constabulary would be
distributed at widely separated points, but
the men would be in close communication
they would be able to so act that bv
operating with local officers they could
head off" criminal in almost any direc-
ton he might take. They would be in
formed instantly Of all crimes committed
where the offender escaped arrest, and
would thus be able to "post" Sherifs, Mar
shals, police officers and Constables
s'%ANuSHOuL tht Dtate III in nOur time. a
little reflection will disclose to anyone
how even five men invested with authority
as uggested, uncrippled by fear of losing
their time and expenses, could block the
escape Of the great majority of criminals,
and 80 work with the filty-two Sheriffs and
several hundreds of other officers as to
make crime a great deal more hazardous
than now. For ten years the RECORD
UNION has presented the subject for pub
lie thought, and always with the indorse-
anent of SheriiiS, detectives and those best
qualified TO pass Judgment The Legis-
lature has twice approached the subject in
a manner to give encouragement to the
hope that small constabulary force
would be set up, but on each occasion the
bills have been unfortunately at the foot
OF long calendars and preceded by meas
ures that had political or private infu-
.ences behind them. Some day State Con-
stables viii be authorized and commits
stoned, for such force is more needed in
California than in any other State Of the
Union,