The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-07-03

PRIVATE DETECTIVES.
The special privileges given to pri-
vates detectives is un-American and
tyrannous. The Pinkerton thugs
are the worst criminals in the coun-
try who are at large. Yet they have
the power to pry into everybody's
business, and shoot down like dogs
whoever may oppose them or resist
their encrOachments. An Irish spy
is more humane, has more manhood,
courage and patriotism, than these
detestable ours, who, like vultures,
iced upon human flesh. But the
Pinkerton private detectives ale not
the only ones. Right here, in San
Francisco, they live and flourish.
Whenever there is any difference be-
tween labor and capital they are
utilized in various ways-either to
ingratiate themselves into the con-
fidence of the unions and betray
them, or to eonspire in causing deeds
OF violence to be committed and then
to periure themselves in order to
convict innocent men Of crime.
Whenever a reputation is to be blast
ed, they are ready, for coin, to pro-
cure any evidence that may be nee
essary. The good men they have
ruined, the true women's hearts they
have broken, are. numberless. The
White divorce case will be remember
ed when the Infamous Brick McPher-
son-who is now in State Prison
was hired to meet Mrs. White in her
room, and seem to have her in
compromising position, while one of
these private detectives should peer
over the transom, and then swear to
the ''facts" to suit the urgencies of
the case. Brick evidently was not
paid enough, or could make more on
the other side, SO he exposed the
plot.
A few weeks ago a yong man of
excellent character and reputation
was arrested on complaint OF an
alleged dentist named DR.. Leek, for
embezzlement. The private detec-
tive was at once engaged to work up
the case against him and convict him
at any cost. Various traps were
laid for him, into none OF which how
everl did he fall. All the publicity
possible was given to the fact that
he was charged with crime, and it
was made to appear that he was
guilty, yet the truth was and is,
whatever money he took belonged
to him. He was not working on a
salary, but shared the profits on all
work done, until he concluded to
open business for himself, and yet,
through this private detective"
system, his reputation might have
been crushed to powder, and he
might have worn a convict's suit.
! Several years ago, we charged Ger
tain members of the police depart
ment with extorting money from I'M
fortunate women. Awhite-eyed, Ian
tern awed, opium eating confidence
Operator-that is to say, private
detective-called at our office, gave
the name of a friend, whom he said
had sent him, and after congratulate
ing us on what he was pleased to call
our "noble fght," told us of GER
tain woman who kept disreputable
house on Morton street, whose at
tention had been called to The STARS
attacks, and she was SO pleased with
| them that she desired to give further
information, and tell how she herself
had been fleeced out of her "honest
earnings" She was about to retire
from "business," rather than conduct
it for the benefit OF the rotten police.
If we would call upon her that night
about eight o'clock, we would hear
something that would turn the city
upside down, etc. We did not like
the hang-dog look of the fellow, but
he had disarmed suspicion by having
named our friend. Still, we did not
relish his proposition, and declined
to see the '1ady" anywhere but
openly in our office. He tried to pur-
suade us further, but we would not
listen to his Establishments. The
friend whom he had named was sur
prised when we told him OF the cir
cumstance. He did not know any
such man. After investigation, we
discovered his identity. He was a
private detective, evidently in the
pay OF some one connected with the
rotten. police department.. The
scheme was to lure JUS to the place
on Morton street, and there arrest
us for visiting a house of ill-fame.
Thus would we be ruined in reputa-
ton, and our charges vanish into
thin air. We exposed this Infamous
scheme at the time. The people
should rebel against this criminal
detective system until it is abolished.
1t is a relic of barbarism. 1t is a
part. of the government of Russia.
1t is disgrace that it is part of the
government Of the United States,
too. 1t would not be tolerated. to
such an extent, in any other civilized
country in the world.-San Fran.
Star.
"EiUuro~ oF "Ho11o