Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-03-26

chairman Montgomery VI AA',
tee requests The Gazette to puollsn tne
following communicating:
Fort Worth. Tex.
March 20, 1893.
To the Public:
With this days session we, close the
investigation In reference TO MI bateh >
,harpes-unless called upon to recon,
vene ogoin For four days we invited
the public 10 prefer charges II any lhs!
had, and especially summoned those VINO
swore they knew Of existing wrong.
If thev bavut awaited themselves OF the
opportunity presented. II IS no teult vi
the committee. for we have no power
over persons or papers: we neFe VIZ
cd under the supervision Of the mayor
nnd CITY attorney. and in the only man
ner In which we have authority to act.
The actions OF the aldermen and city
marshal 20 to u higher tribunal ne
committee have not the enforcement on
the law IN their hands, not even the
power Of discharge.
afhdavits with various violations OF the
rules and laws were entitled TO inlr
hearing. and they have had IT. Inc
report Of the committee, together VIII
evidence, will hc referred TO the c9ulCl
ut its next meeting FOR them to deal win
as they may deem just
We are not prepared to say Dut WnaI
Mr. Bnten's crusade has been fruitful
I'm more ways than one If there rs any
sInckucss along the line II may and
should cause more circumspecuon. IL
has also directed attention TO the most
abused department of the city govern
mout,
Everybody seems to think IL Is their
privilege and duty TO "cuss' a police
man. Today we have more territory to
cover and fewer men TO do the work thnn
ever before, and the watches are Twelve
hours long. The records viii show less
crime and greater percentage OF con-
victions than at any time IN the history
OF Fort Worth.
We do not contend that the force Is
perfect; far from t., but ask You 10 re-
member that from the very nature OF
n poicemans duties he Is constantly
thrown with the worst elements Of soci-
ETY.. The life Of a policeman is not n
| huppy one. The greatest dangers and
! temptations confront him at every step
aud the wonder Is so few go to the very
| depths when pitfalls line his pathway
| He Is but human, and rs the Good Book
says: "Ile that Is without sin let him
east the first stone
| We have crime I'm our midst that we
| do not know how 10 suppress. II is Il prob
| lem that has worried the brain of greater
men than Mr.. Baten, the marshal o.
! the committee. We are ready at any
| time to act upon any feasible plan bet
| ter than the one we have. II any one
can suggest Is, IL will not take any pull
| pit Presiding TO cause US TO act.
| Our city hasn't the control over these
| evils that she should have, and that is
! why we wanted 10 amend our churter,
! but we understand that part, at least,
Of the seyerest and most effective OPP
| position TO these amendments came from
Mr.. Batcns church.
The committee, nearly one year ago,
after comforting with other authority,
| undertook TO better the Acre" Those
IN position to know will say Il Is cleaner
today than ever before. We need nd.
vice, for we have questions TO meet that
puzzle the brain and are ever ready
70 confer with good people at amy
time
In conclusion, pardon us for saying W,
think Mr. Baton made the mistake IN
attacking individuals. instead Of n pol
Icy. Now with charity to all aud NAL
ice toward none let us dismiss thi.
subject for better theme and 20 Il
work all together 10 cure the evils W,
hhaye. Respectfully,
(SgncdJ
JOHN n. MONTGOMERY.
Chairman Police Committee.