The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-30
ACIEAR-sIGHTFD MAYOR.

The first act Of Mr.. Washburne, the newly
elected Mayor of Chicago in entering upon
Office. was 10 issue general order to the po-
lice force of that city TO close up every gam
bling house In the municipal jurisdiction. In
a subsequent interview MIR. Washburne an
nounced that in case the men detached TO
do the work should miss any place in which
gambling Is carried on, or which shall be
afterward found out by newspaper men, he
would have those men discharged"
We have been led to quote these words OF
the Mayor of Chicago, not only because the
spirit which they exhibit is worthy of the
highest praise as coming from public man
occupying his position, but also because he
very justly recognizes the importance OF the
part which newspaper men play In strength
ening the machinery Of local administration.
A still more fattering inference is to be drawn
from his language namely, that not only are
newspaper men on the alert TO discover every
infraction OF law that may escape, either in
tentionally or unwittingly, the notice Of the
police, but that they are also bold, independ-
ent and pubhc-spirited enough to disclose
every violation of the law even in instances in
which the police themselves are either too
timid or too corrupt 10 put stop to it,
Mr.. Washburne in paying this indirect CON-
pliment to the press of the city over whose
affairs he presides did not 60 beyond the
truth even if his words are considered in re-
lation to the press Of the whole country. We
hear occasional complaint made of the prying
disposition of the newspaper man, but If his
general character and mission are impartially
regarded, it will be seen that he is one of the
most useful and in some respects the most
useful guardian OF the law. the most indie
pendent and unwearisd protector of the inter-
ests of the community to be found in it. He is a
skilful detective in the best sense of the term
and ferrets out wrong doing with an instinct
rs sure as it is disinterested.
In the search which has followed the recent
| crime in New York, committed by an Ameri-
can Jack-the- Ripper, the Representatives Of
the leading papers of that city have been
among the most active and untiring Of those
engaged in the effort to discover the muir
derer. The same is true in every instance Of
marked infrsction of the law in every great
community of the United States
The press. acting through its personal rep
resentatives. has become the most reliable
guardian, both of the peoples liberties and
their personal safety. and the frmest and
most indefatigsble promoter of their moral
well-being. Where those who are officially
appointed TO carry out the law and save the
community from harm. fail in the duty i'm
posed on them. the press at once steps in to
protect and preserve the interests Of the peo-
pie.
Mr.. Washburne's reliance upon the news
paper men of Chicago to supplement the
work of the police Of that city and to expose
any dereliction on the part Of the latter in en-
forcing his orders is only what is felt by
every man who occupies position similar to
that which he now fills. His appreciation of
the spirit which actuates the newspaper man
is shared by all who have like responsibilities.
This appreciation Is only what IL justly de-
served, for no officer who b called upon TO
preside over the destinies Of largo CON-
munity has q more disintsrested coadjutor
in carrying out tho law or . more active ~
sistant in detecting crime than hs has IN the
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