The record-union., 1893-12-30

sued him. We are told by these apollo
gists for crime that the pursuers were
simply detectives "man-hunters"-
a poor kind at that; that they were fol-
lowing the man for the reward; that it
was blood hunt, and all such twaddle.
Suppose it to be true that the officers
were prompted by reward. For what are
rewards issued? ? Why have the people
instructed the Governor and given him
power TO offer rewards for the arrest of
fugitives from justice? Was Evans
man not to be taken? Was he not MUIR
derer that should be hunted? Was he a
belligerent to be recognized by the laws
Of war and accorded the consideration of
the martial code? Is his crime less
heinous because he fled like the guilty
wretch that jury of his country has
declared him to be, and being pursued by
peace officers and reward hunters under
orders of warrants issued by the courts,
played the part of the outlaw and the
murderer
The very fact that there are apologists
for such as Evans Is in itself menace to
the good order of society. 1t indicates
lawless sentiment out of which such as
anarchists and bomb-throwers spring.
1t tells the world at large that in Califor-
MIA there is lamentably large class of peo-
pie who ape respectability, but who are
really the friends of ruffians and cut
throats, under the guise of regard for So
called heroic conduct
We have an idea that out of this de-
spicable sentiment came aid and assist
ance to Evans, and that it became mate
rial and timely in the persons of men as
low as is Evans in enabling him to break
from jail and terrorize people in the
streets of one of the most populous towns
of the State. For that he had outside as
sistance is conceded, and that such as
sistance was aided by false sentiment
of sympathy is certain. The aid given is
charged upon some of the Dalton gang,
but it will develop that it comes a good
deal nearer home than that.
AS for the Sheriff and his deputy, just
ice to the people rises superior TO pity for
them. Since it is now known that the
waiter admitted to Evans on the morn
ing of the escape was criminal, Yaga-
bond and counselor of old with Evans,
and was stranger to the deputy who ad
mitted him, there should be no sympathy
expended, for put in the best light possi-
BILE these officials were guilty of negli-
gence that is utterly inexcusable in deal
ing with a criminal they knew to be willy,
fearless, desperate. If no severer judg-
ment is passed upon them they escape
luckily.
The fact that Evans was not treated
on the level with other prisoners is in
itself a grave accusation against the
guardians of the Jail. Why should this
COnQ6LuuSQ VIII OuSub W udNS
been in the State Prison while the law
yers wrangled over post-trial questions,
be allowed meals from hotels and restau-
rants? Why was he entitled to any
greater consideration than the petit lar
ceny thief in the next cell? Why should
walters and relatives be admitted to the
murderer at the unusual hour of half
past or in the evening, and after the
sun had set? Why was such a man as
the masquerading waiter admitted to the
jail at all? to say nothing of the failure to
search him, and the admission of the
wife of the prisoner IN a dark hour.
There is not, we believe, another Jail in
the State where visitors to the condemned
would be admitted at such an hour.
The whole affair has not only humil-
iating and disgraceful aspect, but most
suspicious one, and is of sufficient mo-
ment to command the attention of the
chief law officers and the Executive Of
the State.