Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-07-15
THE FLOOD OF CRIMINALS.

TIE boom. combined with the in
auguration Of "Liberal'' rule, estab-
lished by dishonest processes, has
evidently inspired the criminal
classes Of the great cities east and
west with enlarged ideas in relation
to the capital OF Utah as a promis-
ing field for them TO operate in.
They are here in Large numbers.
Their hari-looking visages are seen
on the principal business thorough
fares in the day time, while they
make their presence still more forci-
bly, felt at night, by sand-bagging,
clubbing, shooting al aDd EJ5b!ng
citizens whO have occasion 70 be
abroad after dark. They also COM
init buEglarious depre,iations, and in
the great bulk OF instances elude the
clutches Of the law. One lad-JOseph
Hall-has been murdered by viii
famous rufiians belonging to the
ssUough'' class, and the assas=ins are
at large. Another gentleman
Mr.. James +. Caine-s confined to
his room from the effects Of being
beaten over the head by couple Of
fellows Of the same sort who intend
ed 10 rob him. There Is scarcely a
night passes during which burgls-
~ or highway robbery i not COM
miitcd, until feeling Of uDsafety
hangs over the community like q
nightmare.
OF course the foregoing statement
Is made no Of stale materials, the
facts upon which it Is based being
generally known ami notorious.
They are not more musty, however.
than the oft-repeated suggestions for
the cure Of the evil. II Is 4 very
simple matter to make 4 suggestion,
but it is frequently impracticable 10
carry into effect what is offered in
thatl.ne. We observe that a good deal
OF gratuitous advice-doubtless well
meant-is rendered TO the police au-
thorities. They are advised, in 80
many words, to have an occasional
rOund-upo Of toughs' and drive them
out OF town.
The vacrancy ordinance l. the
frail base upon which this PROPOSE
ton i founded. and the general ap-
pearance ofthe human bind Of prey
the cause OF seizure. 1t ought to be
understood by this time that the pos
session Of beetle brows, 4 sl0uchy
gait ami a brutal mouth DO not con-
stitute a penal ofiense under the
laws; besides, agoJI many bad char
acters cauuU. be designated 10y such
distinctive features, because they do
not have them. On the con-
trary, many Of them are sleek.
oily and persuasive, when
not engaged in tue practice Of their
profession. Many Of them cannot
be treated under the vagrancy act
either, because they carry a visible
means Of support in their pockets.
The most effective method that
we are cognizaut OF Is 4 vigorous
police service under a regime that
will cope with the situation. There
are doubtless some "sticks'' in the
service, but there are 10 doubt
some efficient officers rs well. They
are, however, at 4 disadvantage.
The police on our streets, night and
day, can he seen parading about clad
in their uniforms, and carrying
dropping from the right hand-what
in the distance looks like a lengthy
section Of Bologna sausage, but
which j. an enormous baton or club.
The officer thus equipped presents
unique picture. In gazing at him
no one suppo-gs for r moment that
ne Is such al attraction 70 4
tough o. to cause the latter to rush
into his arms exclsiming, in plead
ing tones. Il am 4 terror from
Chicago; please arrest me- On
the contrary. the thieves and cut
threats, seeing the officer and his
elongated staff in the dim distance,
20 around the other block 10 evade
him a. an ol'strIctionist.
The fact i, the uniforming bust
ness has been run To an extreme
tina. Is highly absurd, simply, We
presume, because It vas a "Liberal''
campaign cry. The safety of the
community seems TO demand that nj
least 4 portion Of the force shall not
be placed practically in n position
equal 10 exciaiming to criminals
vino place guards out when plying
their vocation-"LOOk out, I'll he
along directly if You don't get out
Of the way in 4 hurry"