The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-13
sEATTLE. SUNDAY. ser. 13.



The detective system, of which Pinker-
ton is the representative in the East ana
Middle West, and creatures OF the Sullivan
stripe the opponents on the Pacific coast,
has become a public nuisance and means
of public outrage. The sheriff Of Pierce
county denies that Sullivan or his sa.el-
lite Mckay were his deputies, or that he
has any official responsibility for their pres
ence or action during the arrest Of Albert
son. The prosecuting attorney Of Pierce
county also denies that either Sullivan Or
Mckay are officers Of the law. Under
these circumstances VIC find professional
detective assuming 70 himself the
right to assist at an arrest, and 10
personally assault and threaten prisoner
without the slightest warrant Of law.
There is nothing remarkable that Sullivan
should usurp as an individual powers
which he has been permitted TO Illegally
exercise at the head of an organized body
Of armed men without legal standing or
authority.
This practice of suffering Sullivan or
Pinkerton guards to usurp and exercise
the powers which can only be legally exer-
cised by the sheriff and his posse, and By
the military forces OF the state when called
upon for aid by the governor, is most de-
moralizing to public justice, peace and
order. In case of public disturbances
the people understand perfectly we'll
the difference between the legal powers
exercised by the sheriff and the militia
and the Illegal assumption Of authority
exercised by 1.-The Sullivan Guards" and
as a consequence there is natural feeling
OF irritation and resentment which serves
10 fan the fame of instruction into open
riot. The excuse offered for the employ
Inent Of these Sullivan ''irregulars'' is the
asserted necessity for the existence Of an
armed body Of mercenaries TO protect cor
porate property that might otherwise be
destroyed before the legal authorities
could come to the rescue.
This excuse has no foundation in fact
the sherifis are generally men Of char
acter. resolution, energy and courage; the
governor Is prompt to furnish military
assistance whenever necessary; public
opinion In a young and growing state is
naturally on the side Of all public enter
prises that seek to build up the growing
industries of the community; and the
authorities understand perfectly well that
any county is liable for the destruction Of
property that takes place in consequence
of the failure of the constituted authori-
ties to protect it. New York city had to
pay heavy damages for property de-
stroyed by the draft riot of 1853; and
Allegheny county, Pa, paid an enormous
sum Of money for the railroad property
destroyed by the riots of 1877 when the
militia sympathized with the mob. 1t
stands TO reason that the community will
not tolerate any failure on the part of the
lawful authorities 10 protect the property
Of corporations, whose success furnishes
life-blood to all the veins and arteries oil
local trade, and for whose losses by riot
the community must pay in full. Under
these circumstances there is no excuse for
further liberation of this illegal detective
system, which If il does not breed riot
breeds public discomfort: and in event of
riot intensiles the bitterness and obstinacy
of the rioters.
Ii is the business Of every community ia
see to il that the sheriff OF the county is
always man of superior character and
capacity; he should he gentleman; a cool
courteous, resolute, courageous. discreet
and incorruptible man; for his responsible
ity is OF the gravest and most IMPORTANT
description. The selection of juries. the
protection of life and property rests upon
the honor, zeal and ability Of the sheriff
and his subordinates, whom he should
carefully select and for whom he is respon
sible. community of PROPER public
spirit viii select competent sheriff, aud il
such sheriff, with the governor of the
state behind him, cannot maintain law and
order and protect corporate property. why
then the state of Washington might rs
we'll confess that il is not iii for statehood.
Have we reached the point where our legal
and judicial and military machinery is so
worthlessly administered that there is an :
valid excuse tor the existence OF such ille-
gal machinery as the Sullivan Guards;
or such self-appointcd constables AZ De-
tective SULLIVAN or course we have not
there is not = shadow OF just excuse tor en-
during another hour OF Sullivan or his
band of Illegal mercenaries