The record-union., 1894-01-25
SHALL WE CONTINUE TO THROW
OUR HANDS UP2

1t has come 10 SAD state lnQeeQ Wnen
peace officers are to be shot down by vul-
gar criminals because the former do their
duty in serving warrants and making ar
rests of footpads and bludgeon men. AS
a rule offenders do not harbor ill-feeling
against officers, whom they recognize as
but the instruments of the law, and as
only doing their duty when they arrest
and serve court process. But the rascal
Cowling who attempted to assassinate the
Chief of Police of Santa Cruz Saturday
evening represents a rapidly increasing
vicious class which makes war upon
Judges of courts committing magistrates,
and all officers having to do with the ad-
ministration of justice, as well as upon
unofficial PEOPLE.
In the case under consideration the fell
ing a pistol upon q citizen, was con-
victicted and served a term in jail. He
threatened to kill Chief Rawle, the JUS
tice who committed him, detective Off
Ger and the District Attorney who prose-
cuted him.
In pursuance of this threat he opened
fire on the Chief Saturday evening, cow
ardly shooting when the officers back
was turned. He then took to hiding, and
fired upon the officer several times and
wounded him. But the courageous Chief
followed up his man, drove him out of
hiding. and finally shot the assassin
through the lungs.
1t is to be hoped that he has killed the
wretch, for the death of the fellow at the
hands of the fearless officer will have two
good effects in these piping times of foot
pads and highway sssassins. By the in
fuence of good example it will encourage
other peace officers to treat the murder
Gus crew now infesting the country pre-
cisely as they deserve-with powder and
lead and no mercy; it will serve to deter
these rascally nuisances from attempting
to cow the whole community by threats
and display of arms.
Mr.. Hackett OF San Francisco on Satur-
day served his fellow citizens to good
purpose, also, by proving that it is possi-
BILE to stand off footpads. Two of them
attempted to garrote him, and did have
him by the neck in the grip of the bent
arm. But Hackett did not propose to be
robbed without resistance. He whipped
out an ordinary penknife and went after
such parts of the bodies of his assailants
as he could reach until they ceased to
choke him and ran away: but one of them
had dubbed Hackett over the head DUR
ing the assault, fortunately not hurting
him severely. Both of the footpads were
captured, and one of them is found to
have been so well carved up by Hackett's
little knife that high hopes are enter
tanned that the people will be put to no
greater cost than the expense of burying
the carcass.
The highway gang need a few such
lessons as those administered by Rawle
and Hackett. We cannot commend so
warmly the act of the San Francisco
physician who ''held up'' his hands only
to bring them down upon the head OF the
footpad with sufficient force TO knock
him to the ground, whereupon the doctor
proceeded to soundly thrash the fellow,
when he begged for mercy and by plead
ing hunger as an excuse for his crime
led the merciful physician to give him
half dollar, which he probably got rid of
in the nearest whisky joint with prompt
ness and dispatch.
We entertain the belief that little
show OF resistance will have an excellent
effect upon the lawless in these days.
Since there is general suspension of the
law prohibiting the carrying of weapons,
and as any decent citizen can get permis-
sion to arm, and as every fellow who
'stands up'' q man or woman on the
street is armed with ten or fifteen-dollar
pistol, despite the plea of poverty put up
by such; since the lawless and the gutter
loafers are no longer searched by the
police to ascertain if they are armed,
law-abiding citizens might as well outfit