The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-06-20
The Arrest of the Viking Crew.
Tho Rrooklvn notice force has the

standing before the civilized world as
probably the most brutal and black
guardly body it contains. Its fame
in that regard has by this time been
flashed to every newspaper, not only
on this continent but in Europe, and
the utmost that lay in the power OF
so stupid aud brutal an organization
has been done to make the hospital
itv of the United States q mock and
a shame among civilized people.
The manly fellows who have just
crossed the ocean in their little craft,
remodelled from the ages of Morse
domination of the seas, in an hour of
simple confidence accepted the invi-
tation of the Scandinavians to visit
the city OF Brooklyn, which they nat
urally thought was a peaceful suburb,
living as it does so near New York.
When they were overUaken by the
shades of night, they found that they
were surrounded with perils not I'M
like those of a medieval town. They
found that riot ana rowdyism Hour
ished in the streets, and that it en-
joyed the special protection of the
police. The visitors were set upon by
a drunken and disorderly ruffian, who
assumed the right to insult and mai
treat them out of mere common wan
tonness When they ventured to re-
sist this treatment, they were set upon
bv the uniformed bandits hired by
the city who dubbed them, mauled
them, locked them up in sitting cells,
and heaped insult and abuse on all
their friends.
But this was not the worst. In the
hmorning, they were haled before
another rufian. This time their adj
versary was a gilt edged blackguard,
hnd unfortunately he represented the
respectable as we'll as the rowdy ele-
inent of the city. He was, by virtue
lof our queer system of politics, a
magistrate.
This fellow completed and ratified
The doings of the minor ruffians OF all
grades. He gave to all their acts the
stamp of municipal approval, and he
added a few choice bits of malice of
> his own. Among other things, he re-
fused, for no conceivable reason, to
allow them a speedy hearing and set
Element of their case.
1t is almost impossible to account
! for the insanity of insolence which
$sometimes takes possession of pnblic
officials, especially policemen and
police magistrates. IL is often
witnessed. though seldom in such
j aggravated form as on this occa-
sion. It is the duty of the sane
and decent people of the community
to repress it with every possible sever
ity. We do not know what public
sentiment may amount to in Brook
lyn, but we are confident that if the
Viking incident occurred in this city
or New York every officer connected
) with it would be severity disciplined,
and The bench would be made a very
uncomfortable seat for the Dogberry
who aided in the outrage.
THE speech of Ex-Governor Robin
son in behalf of Lizzie Borden is a
most extraordinary failure. 1t was
weak, timid, frivolous and inconsecu-
tive. where it should have been Wig
orous, aggressive, commanding and
irresistible. 1t was the SIP eech of a
man who believed his client guilty.
1t was such a speech as might have
been made if the State had triumph
antly proved every point in its case,
and the defense had to rely on loop
hole and technicalities to escape a
conviction. It is hardly to be thought,
in view of the evidence, that the
verdict can be adverse to Miss
Borden; but il it should be, this
speech would be responsible through
the infectious tone of defeat and
I dread which pervaded it.
THE appointment of Mr.. Matthies-
sen to the post of United States Min
lister to Sweden is, like all President
Cleveland's nominations, a splendid
one. Mr.. Matthiessen is a represen-
i've product of American institu-
tns and OF the progressive Alneri-
spirit. From small beginnings
has achieved great fortunes, and
one carries his prosperity with
re dignity and Hberality than he.
appointment will be especially
lar here, though it is to be cred
New York, for there is no
that the recipients qualities
ter known or more highly APP
ed than in this city.
boks as if the members of our
and Water Board had gone
b daft.
h is reported that the retail fur
hde is almost at a standstill.