Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-08-31

sets have appropriated fund for the pur-
pose of enforcing the laws of the town, q
very proper thing to do.
SALOONS HAVE WATCHERS WHO GIVE TIPS.
Saloon keepers who wish to evade the
law employ men to watch the officers and |
give the tip when one approaches. Some
times they stand block or more away,
and with private system of signals, give |
information to their employers as to the /
proper time to let their customers in or
ont. Under these circumstances we can
appreciate the di&oulty the officers have of |
securing better enforcement of law.
Now We come to the greatest objection
of all the law and order movement, name
ly, the method We use in securing evil
dence.
Our DIRECTORS say, "We believe in the
purpose of the league, but we cannot en-
dorse or support the work, 30 long as
you employ spoilers and spies to secure
evidence.
THE DETECTIVE SYSTEM DEFENDED.
I propose to devote some time this
morning in defending the detective sys-
tenn as employed by the Law and Order
league.
Why there should be such a hue and
cry raised about the employment of de-
tectives in liquor cases is more than can
understand. Detectives are employed In
all branches of the government service,
and for the detection of all kinds of
crime, but as soon as detective is put on
the track of man who sells whisky in
violation of law, there Immediately goes
up cry of ''spotter," ''spy," "tempter,"
Why the very people upon whom we
should depend for support should join in
this complaint is a mystery yet to be
solved.
If these good people were to have their
houses burned by an incendiary, or suffer
by losing their property at the hands of
burglars, they would think it perfectly
legitimate to employ ekilled detectives to
although they might use all the deceptive
methods known to the profession, always
| representing themselves to be what they
are not.
If successful, their work would be praised
as 1t should be, and why they should make
| q distinction when it comes to tracking
| down illegal rum sellers, who keep crime
on tap, and who defy the authority as do
no other class of criminals, is beyond my
1
hold that 1t ia absolutely futile to at
tempt to bring illegal rum sellers, gam
blers, brothel owners and the like to JUS
tice in any other way than by the employ
| ment of men akilled in the art of deception
and who can find out all the tricks of their
nefarious business and give information to
| the proper authorities, that the vile dens
may be broken up.
We could go back into history for nota-
BILE incidents where the use of detectives
has served the government and aided
greatly in maintaining peace and order.
1t was but few years ago that the en-
tire country and the world was startle at
the revelations concerning the "Molly Ma
CURES" in Pennsylvania, an organization
of criminals of the worst type. The entire
secret workings of the society. as we'll as
the actions of individual members of the
order who were more conspicuous in crimes
perpetrated in that region, were brought
to light and the organization practically
broken up.
ALL this was brought about by detect
i've by the name of AcParlan, who wormed
himself into their confidence, joined the
order, was associated with them in their
crimes, and was once put on a committee
appointed to commit murder.
Of course 1t was his duty to give infor-
nation to the officers, which he did faith
fully, but he only gained his knowledge OF
the crimes in that section, which resulted
In the breaking up of one of the worst
criminal gangs the country ever knew, by
playing successfully the part of detective
and gaining the confidence of those whom
he wished to deliver over to justice. Nc
one has called him "spotter," "spy.'
Nothing but words of praise from right
! thinking people, from one end of the lane
L to
| him.
At the capitol in Hartford you will fine
monument erected to the memory of Ma
than Hale, who was no other than detec
tive and who regretted that he had but ONT
life to give to his country.
The speaker here quoted from numbe,
| of important court decisions in defense Of
his position. In conclusion he added:
IN CONCLUSION.
In spite of all the objection which hs
been raised against this kind of testimon,
we are highly grati6ed at its reception il
the courts. We have not failed to convic
on such testimony in a single instance, sni
SO long as the courts accept this testimony
think our friends should keep quiet re
gsrding it until they can suggest something
better. I stand ready to employ any
method which will enable US in bringing
these defiant aw-breakers to justice ane
aid in promoting the peace and order O.
the commonwealth.
As a league We have no apology to offel
for the employment of detectives. W.
point with pride to the achievements o.
the past year, brought about almost Who'll
ly by the employment of these skilled
agents. Our league stands for the en-
foreement of law and, if supported, Their.
seems to be no reason why we should no
accomplish our purpose, and drive Law
| breakers out of the state.