The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-13

A proposal seems to have been mooted by
some Of the European countries to deal
with the anarchists by international law as
pirates, who would merit the fate of being
shot down or hanged wherever found. This
sort of legislation may have much to rec
ommend it in the opinion Of despots, who
have a short and sharp manner of dealing
with practices that threaten to upset their
methods Of government The Shah of
Persia would give hearty consent to meas
ures il possible more severe. but Lord Sails
bury, on behalf of England. wisely thinks
the existing law quite sufficient to deal with
any emergency the anarchists may create.
When murder is committed 1t can be dealt
with as such, and that is sufficient vlndica-
ton of the supremacy of law. Nothing
more is needed in America. Provided the
courts and juries do their duty offenses of
the anarchist order can be punished with
all the severity necessary. Ii special enact
ments were passed by each State TO deal
with such troubles it does not follow that
convictions would be secured. general
international law on anarchist offenses
powers to get hold Of political enemies, and
the right OF asylum would be in danger.
Incendiary fires in Brooklyn have been
numerous of late. and it Is reported that they
have been traced to gang of men whose
object is simply to obtain a percentage on
insurance money. An arrangement is made
with the occupiers of part of tenement
house who are heavily insured, and the
premises are set on fire without regard to
sufferers who are not in position to claim
COMPENSATION. This is carrying arson far
beyond the usual limit of fraudulent self
interest for the sake of fleeing capitalists.
10 call the rascalS who do this anarchists
is an abuse of terms. Louise Michel would
scorn to associate with such wretches or
consider them in any other way than So
ciety now regards them. They are simply
criminals. who should have no quarter
within the limits OF law. 1t is peculiarly
beInOus form OF incendiarism to set fire to
buildings where many separate families re-
victims will perish in the flames. Judge
Lynch would not hesitate to officiate at The
trial and subsequent execution of miscreanis
caught at this diabolcal work.
1t begins to be somewhat doubtful
whether the Government agents who have
been investigating customs frauds will be
able TO prosecute the firms whose Illicit
gains are at the bottom of the corruption.
The firms will be glad to be spared public
exposure. and will not object to pay hand
somely for compromise. which means. in
addition to financial restitution, minimum
of information on the skiilful manner in
which frauds are perpetrated. Mr. Cashin,
one OF the officials implicated, has straight
notions of honor To his friends ne admits
that he has been made humble instrument
In getting valuable cases passed as almost
worthless importatioBs but he does not
agree that he should turn round upon those
who have been his accomplices and tell all
he knows. Honor among the crooked is his
motto. He has been coaxed by the authori-
ties to make a clean breast of it, but he has
withstood all their Establishments and been
proof against all the temptations put in his