Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-09-05
LAW AND ORDER LEAGUE.
Detective Cone Investigated, and BIS
Resignation Accepted.
The following communication explains
itself and needs no nnnnnnenf.

| itself and needs no comment:
SACRAMENTO, September 4th.
| EDS. bECoRD-UNIoN: By request OF the Law
| and Order League of Sacramento, pres ent 10
| your readers the following statement in regard
| TO the objects and work of our League Owing
| TO the charges AID implications against our de-
tective, w. W. Cone, published in your paper of
| the 23d and 2ith ultimo, the League appointed
| commi tee to investigate the matter, express
ing at the same time its opinion that all infrac-
| tions of law are obnoxious to its members, and
! opposed to its principles, and no unlawful or
| vicious methods of obtaining evidence must be
| tolerated or encouraged by its representatives
or employees. That committee was composed of
| the following citizens: W. K. Strong, a. Altken,
| Judge Mayhew and A. T. Eeedham After a
| paiustakng investigation the committee found
| there was no truth in the implication aga nst
| Mr.. Cone in the case of Harry Fisher or that of
! The Summerfeld boy. Th evidence was strong
OF an effort TO prejudice the public mind against
man whose work in our behalf might damage
a disreputable business. The case of the China
man who was said to have charged Detective
Cone with fraud The committee found to be ca
pable of very different Interpretation from that
put upon il in the newspaper reports.
The interview of the committee with Chief
Lee brought out this fact.that, though the
Chief could not produce evidence sufficient to
convict Mr. Cone in a court of law. yet he was
fully persuaded in his own mind that the ac-
c0sed was bad man. Of course, this was not
adequate ploof of the mans bad character TO
the minds of the committee. The Chief also
expressed himself as opposed. on principle, to
all private detectives or secret police-he pre-
ferred the regular officers of the law, We pre-
sumo there is not gambler or law breaker of
any kind in our city that would not agree with
the Chief in that opinion. 1t is on the pTinci-
pie OF the rats, who preferred to put bell on
the miller's cat. The uniform and the badge,
or the parties otherwise known, would afford
the signal for all law breakers to cover up their
misdoings upon the approach of such individu-
ais, and thus escape arrest. 1t is because the
police labor under this disadvantage that the
Law and Order League propose to put men on
the track of law breakers who can approach
near enough to collect evidence. Our methods
are to supplement and aid the police and there
fore we should have their sympathy. We are
also aware that If there should be any crooked
ness on the part OF the police the evidence col
lected by our employees might crimiuate them;
but such a scandalous SUSPICION is not for mo-
ment to be entertained. The investigations we
have made, and the arrests We have secured,
convince US there is something rotten''-uot in
Denmark-but right here in Sacramento, and
perhaps to unearth it tor removal would be
commendable measure.
Our League. i'll less than two months, has Sc
cured the arrest and conviction of two saloon
keepers for selling liquor to minors; it has also
brought suits against two Cinnamon for selling
lottery tickets and conducting games of chance.
One case was clearly proven, to the minds of
many honest persons, but jury of whose
judgment and honesty we have nothing to saw
said the party was not guilty. The other case
failed fIom defect in the testimony, and this
jury no one blames for finding as they did.
is is little singular that the most enthusiastic
sympathizers with the defense in the gambling
suits were policemen. We do not venture an
Interpretation of this fact but we leave it with
the Public to Judge. There will doubtless be
much gambling attempted during fair-time"
in Sacramento. Every business man knows
that outside of the saloons and the gambling
fraternity, no one will derive benefit thereirom.
merchant remarked 10 MS that a customer
came into his store during fair week last year,
and bought an inferior suit of Clothes saying:
" INTENDED to buy better suit when came to
town, but have run foul of one of those wheel
games, and have lost nearly all had" Another
merchant stated that good customer, who had
come to town to purchase goods, was compelled
to go home without them, and borrow money to
get there, because he had lost all by gambling
Cur business men should see this as we do, and
combine against the gambling fraternity, who
only rob and ruin. OF course Chief zee viii
help to suppress this evil, for he was elected
with this distinct understanding.
We urge all law-abiding people and those
who desire the prosperity of Sacramento, to
rally to the support of this League. Those who,
for prudential reasons do not wish their names
to appear upon our lists, can nevertheless aid us
in our work by contributions given to the
League through some member OF the same who
may be known to them. We have entered upon
long ard bitter contest for right and law. and
we propose to continue on this line until law is
supreme and order prevails.
MIR. Cone. finding that a bitter prejudice has
been created against himself, has sent in his re-
Signation as our detective. and his resignation
has been accepted. Other parties will be in
trusted with the work and Just who they are
and where they will be, viii only be known
when the rat is caught. Respectfully yours,
A. I. NEEDHAM.