The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-06-07
~
THE DISTURBANCE AT PASCAGOULA.

i AoNAJbO hts los 49, ~
Editor Democrat-Star.
A little disturbance Of the peace
that took place on the lst INST. at this
place, brought ont the fact that there
are many people, white as well as
blacks, who are not thoroughly post
Ell as 10 the authority of a constable
as a ,onservatOr of the peace.
A few comments and extracts from
the Code of 1880 will, think, serve
a good purpose. An officer or any
prigate person may arrest Il person
acitb0ut uarTdAt for and indictablc Of
ense committed, or a breach OF the
peace threatened, OF attempted, IN his
presence +; or when such person has
committed a felon, though not IN his
presence. To make an arrest any oiil-
Ger or private person, alter notice OF
his office ard object, if admiliancc is
refused, may break open a window or
outer or in ncr door Of any dwelling
| or other house, in which he has rea-
son TO believe the offender may be
found. Sec. 1926 and 1927.
Every person when commanded by
an otfi Ger seeking To arrest an offender
must obey such command, aud for a
refusal to obey, are guilty of a mis-
domcanor, the penalty toi which IS
tiuc and Imprisonment in the county
Jail. Sec. 1924 and 309S,
There are also heavy penalties pro-
vided for the failure or neglect of an
officer 10 perform his duty if a con-
stable shall wilfnIly neglect, or refuse
to return any person committing an
| offence in his view, or knowledge; or
of which he may be informed, or i:
he shall willfully absent himself 50
that he may not with IS an offcnse,
the law provides that he shall be fined
not less Than 500, and not more than
$500, and may in the discretion Of tile
court be removed from office, Sec.
2756. And TO assist an officer in full
filling his duty in regard to arrests
AID Keeping the peace. the law gives
him the power to summon the power
OF the land to his assistance, and fixes
a penalty for refusal TO act. a ON
stable or his posse may kill a person
in lawfully SURPRISING a riot, or IN
IaWfully Keeping The peace. sec. 1918.
Ii our citizens would read up 2 IT.
tie on the prcrOgatives Of our civil Of
fccrs, and the privileges Of the people,
civilization would take a wonderful
stride in advance, Tor with a full
knowledge of the law would come the
disposition TO obey aud enforce the
same.
There are numbers of offences
against the law pe9petratcd every daV,
and some of them very dis~agreeable
ones, which would no doubt be pun
ished if the ''modus %operandi" was
familiar TO The people. Among such
minor ofieIces that may be punished
by simply calling the attention of an
officer to the fact-see See. 2I96 Code
1880, are Cursing, swearing, or he
ing drunk in public, pointing gun or
vistnl at another, and The disturbance
Of family or individual, by any loud
or unusual noise or by any tumultu-
Gus or offensive conduct. Any person
on the public highway or II other
place ncar the dwelling of another,
and ia the Lresence or hearing OF the
family or any member thereof, or IN
the presence or hearing Of anf female,
who makes use Of abusive, prOiane,
vular or indecent language, or i gull
tv of any idecent exposure of his per-
son at such place is guilty Of a ms
demeanor, and il the party offended
should report The facts 10 any con
stable or other conservation of the
peace. the law makes il The duty OF
such officer, 10 forthwith return said
| offender 10 the nearest justice Of the
peace. aud il SAID officer should refuse
or RegIect TO return The offender &C
cnrdimg TO law, he is liable TO a fine OF
not less ;han 500. Aud ans person
falling 10 obtain the assistance OF an
officer in such cases have their rene
| DIV against him, and should not CONF
plain il they neglect 10 bring him TO
Justice. Aud in no case should eiti-
/ zrns while an officer is trying 90 dis
charge his duty say or do ANYTHING
that would have a tendency 70 DIS
/ courage him, but on the contrary, they
sllunld give him aid and support, both
moral and physical, in all his lawful
] efforts TO conserve the peace. The
State Of Mississippi has as good Grim
inal laws as any Stale in tho Union,
and II j. within the ,aower Of any M
/ dividuai % obtain the benefit Of the
eanso L. no will % Al Ia the right way.