Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-25
A NgIDEp FORCE.

ing in double assassination. The robbers
appear 10 have killed for the mere lust of
killing, for thcy had the train at their
mercy, having captured the engineer and
fireman and taken them from the locomo-
tive. There ought to be such vigorous
search made for the assassns as will insure
their capsure. 1t will. indeed, be State
disgrace that will lower us ia the estima-
ton of even the frontier. if the murderers
are permitted TO escape.
Under our present system p0rsuit-can be
made, however, by Sherifs only within
the bounds of their respective counties, ex-
cept they do so at their own expense, and
to the possible neglect of duty IN their
bailiwicks. Here is an instance, therefore,
that emphasizes the need for 6 State con-
stabulary. There is no State in tie Union
where such force is more demanded.
The reasons are obvious: the immensely
of our territory, the sparsely settled con-
.dition of the country, and the ease with,
which criminals can escape into the noun
tains and to adjacent territory.
A State constabulary need not consist e.
more than half dozen men. These
should be chief, located at the CEN
ter of news communication and gath
ering. He should have power to ap-
point five officers, noted for detective
skill, endurance, and the rapi6ity
with which they discharge duty. These
should be located at widely separated
points and be in telegraphic communica-
ton with their Chief and with each other
They would, OF course, have authority to
pursue into and through any county and
even beyond the State. They shocld be
given power TO command the assistance of
Sheriffs, Marshals, and ,Constables in the
State at any time. With reasonable sum
for expenses. Chief. with such force
and the auxiliary aid referred to, could
prevent the escape. of criminal from the
State almost with certainty in every case.
The instant knowledge Of great crime
was gained, such force would be notified;
it would in turn notify and put on watch
for the criminals every peace officer in the
State. Every avenue would be put under
surveillance instantly. and nearly fifteen
hundred peace officers. scattered all over
the State, would be brought into activity
in a common direction and under compe-
tent management.
1t is easy to understand how such an
ordered system, subject to the scrutiny OF
the Governor, would become a terror to
evil-doers, and would become potential
agency in checking and detecting crime
1t would almost wholly eliminate the re-
ward system, which is practically of little
value under present conditions. Indeed
we are by no means certain that it is not
positive hindrarce to the discovery oil
crime, and the bringing of criminals to
justice. 1t induces officers to remain
inactive in order to compel the author.
tiles to offer rewards; 1t sets all
sorts of men at work, at cross
purposes mostly, and without competent
direction essential to good constabulary re-
suits. 1t rarely, if ever, induces a confed.
crate to deliver up his principal, and ex.
perience has shown, is by no means so eff.
fectual an agency as any one of the detec
tive forces employed by express or railroad
companies.
Under a system providing for State con-
stables, who would operate without the in
centive of moneyed reward beyond thei,
salaries, who would pursue criminals anc
unearth crime according to plans not il
conflict and ordered by thoroughly com
petent head; who would not be hindered b,
limitations of jurisdiction, or labor unde
apprehension-as in the case of Sheriffs-
that their expenses of pursuit would b,
visited upon their own pockets; who woult
have power to set at work lntelligently al
the agencies of justice to detect crime; high
way robbery would soon cease to be known
in this State, escaping criminals would b.
very few, and such horrible atrocities as
that of Thursday night, and as such scenes
as recently occurred near Colfax, and sucl
escapes as those OF the Napa murderer o
few years ago, that has cost the count,
thousand of dollars, would scarcely be pos
sible
AS mere matter of economy we believ
State constabulary would be commenda
bic, while. as already said, its usefulness il
preventing crime would be unreasonable
1t would also save to remote and veal
counties much Of the heavy cost now i'm
posed in capturing highway robbers ant
in bringing them to punishment. VIVA
We need most in this State now, in on
policy of preventing and detecting
great crimes, is certainty of pursuit
capture and punishment, and thi
is best conserved by an orderly
system under which the whole force o
peace officers in the State. the fifty-twt
Sherifis, the three hundred deputies, fiv,
hundred Constables, twelve Chiefs of Pc
lice and five hundred policemen and watch
men, can be directed to common end il
orderly and according to well deyise<
plans to capture escapes from justice TIL,
very fact of such al organization wonlS
serve as powerful deterrent influence
The cost of State eonstabulary, such a!
suggested, would be insignificant compared
to the money now annually expended b,
the people under q system that lacks al
the elements of order and economy.
1t is not too late to introduce and pas
such measure. 1t is worth the trial a
least, and twenty Thousand dollars coulS
not in any experimental direction be ex
pended by the Legislature with bette
promise of saving to the counties four o.
five times that sum. Indeed, we can nam,
instances where counties Ill able to bea
the burden have been compelled TO expene
from $2008 to $4,000 to bring to Justice 4
single highway robber Yet ali the peopl,
are equally interested ia pursuit and pun
ishment of knights Of the road. Bills hav,
several times been introduced for the pur
pose suggested in this article. but hav,
been buried under other bills, and no
defeated on their merits Il has indeed
been generally conceded to be al
economic proposition to establish Stat.
constabulary aae since it is not compile,
matter, does net propose any political
patronage and hes the support Of trial will
success in other parts, it is not too fngch tt