The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-11-07
Wellington Star.

Wa,hiagton Star.
Experienced trainman, officers OF the
law and express officials are unanimous
in the belief that tho introduction OF a
bill in Congress for the punishment OF
train robbers has brought that daring
mode OF acquiring wealth to an abrupt
end. The class OF men that commit the
crime OF robbing passengers and ez-
press cars are unquestionably poorly in
formed as to legislation, and reading or
hearing OF bill being presented in Con-
gress for their punishment believe that
bill has become lawinstanter While
these men are willing to take chances
with private corporations, the federal
government has u way OF running to
earth those who commit crime cogni2a-
bic by its courts that will, no doubt,
lessen the number OF these depreda-
tons to a nominal degree.
The bunch OF train robberies COM
mitted during the month OF August is Il
bad record for any country, and almost
a disgrace to one ike ours. The worst
of it is that the ease and safety with
which trains can DO held up and the
enormous booty 30 be obtained III this
way is certain to stimulate this form OF
crime and insure its frequent repetition
unless substantial check can be put
upon it in some way. The Lake Shore
robbery in Indiana netted the thieves
10000, while the Mineral Range rob
berry in Michigan gave them $4,000.
That the booty was recovered in the
latter case is exceptional. The robbers
usually disappear with their spoil as
completely as if tho earth had swal-
lowed them up 1t is only in eXcep-
tional cases that one is injured, and US
ually the supineuess aud meeEness OF
the train hands insure the safety OF
these modern Claude Duyals. The pas
sengers are often not molested at all,
and even when they are required to
hold up their hands, it is mere incl
dent to the robbery OF the express car
LAW AND ITS ENFORCEMENT.
The epidemic OF train robberies in the
latter part Of August caught Congress
in session, and the evil became so pat
ent that bill was introduced to meet
the outrage by making the robbery OF
trains federal ofIense. But mere
law against highway robbery is OF little
avail without men to enforce it. The
country should be policGd rs well as
the towns, and the lines Of railway
travel most of all. But. until this civil
izing peace force is organized and put
to work, it is not asking too much Of
the express companies to require them
to give better protection to the treasure
which now attracts the evil-minded and
is the objective point of nearly all our
train robberies. The scarcity OF "hold-
ups" within the last month lead one to
the belief that tho express companies
have also reached this conclusion.
When the first Pacific railroad was
completed armed troops were carried
on every train until it became certain
that Indians would not modest this
latest invader OF their ancient domain.
The express companies, which endanger
the safety OF passenger train by ship
ping treasure which ia insutticiently
guarded, invite train robberies. They
should be compelled to guard the treas
ure by men who not only carry arms,
but know how aud are willing to use
them effectively when necessary. One
or two messengers, even ii armed and
disposed to fight, are no match for such
large band OF robbers as that which
held up the Lake Shore train a short
time since in Indiana. For the better
safety OF passengers the express cars
which carry treasure ought not to be q
part oil passenger train. The lives OF
passengers are put to needless hazard
by the combination OF passenger coaches
and treasured bearing express cars insult
tciently protected and inviting attack
and robbery ut every stage OF their
journey.
TRACKING A GANG.
The railroad and express com panies
have a regularly organized force Of Of
ficers and during the August rush OF
business by the robbers in the west the
greater portion OF this force in the east
was hurried toward the setting sun as
last as possible. Within the last month
the train roObing business has taken a