The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-11-25
NO VIGILANCE COMMITTEE,

The HERALD has been asked several
fairs into their own hands by citizens in
connection with the present lawlessness in
| the city; in other words, that the authori-
ties be passed By and the pu bile, under the
direction of committees appointed by the
people, proceed to deal with the problem
which faces every body as individuals 1t
IS argued and urged that matters are
growing worse instead of better; that
burglaries are more frequent than ever be-
fore, that hold-ups are much moro numer-
Gus and crime is greatly on the increase,
while the police are less efficient than ever.
The quarrel between the patrolmen
and the officials, which has also involved
the city council, the latter having degen-
Grated into factional body, the Individual
members being controlled py their personal
likes and dislikes among the police force,
has seemingly utterly demoralized the
department. The officers and the men
keep close watch upon each other in the
hope OF learning something which will
prove Of advantage in the disgraceful per.
sonsl quarrel, whilst the public is left to
look out for itself. The records show that
very few criminals are brought to Justice
through the instrume ntality of the police,
and the taxpayers have come to the conclu-
sion that it is mighty little protection which
the police afford. 1t is because Of this feel
ing that so many think that the authorities
should De passed by as unworthy of conf
dence and the people proceed to execute the
law against the burglars, garroters and
thieves who have practically taken posses
sion of the city and are having things theil
own way.
Men who have been assaulted and robbed
on the streets by the thugs and those whose
houses have been plundered by burglars
cannot be blamed for growing desperate
when they note the inactivity of the au.
thorities while these crimes are being COM
mitted. And yet The HERALD hopes tina,
the suggestions and threats which have beer
made Of vigilance committees and organi
cations acting outside of the law will
not be acted upon. 1t will be better Il
suffer yet little longer as we are suffer
ing than to have it go abroad that Sal
Lake, famed the world over for its peace
| SNSAASSJ
ter, has become such a rendezvous foI
thieves, thugs and the ugly elements O
humanity that the decent people have Il
band together as "vigilan tes" for self pro
lection and to drive out the criminals. II
every other far western state and territor,
committees of safety have had work t,
do, but Utah has so far escaped the odium
and let US hope that the stigma will neve
be attached to any OF our cities or towns
little more than two months and the
gang in control of the city hall will b
bounced by an indignant and long-sufferin,
public when it is hoped that an admins
ira ion will be installed which will be no
only able but willing to deal with the ele
ment which has insugurated re.gn of ter
ror in this city.
Meantime it will not be improper for pri
vate citizens to employ trustworthy men t
patrol special districts. 1t is hardly prob
able that the council would permit tn
factional spirit to so far control as to refus
to commission these private watchme
with police authority and powers.