The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-21

II Is TO be hoped that the Police Board
will be both conservative and wary In Sc
Iecting chief of police The appointment
OF that officer is an occasion which can
be made one of vast benefit 20 this city.
II is beyond question that there Is pro-
found ard a growing dissatisfaction AT
the way the laws are enforced I'm TINS
city-or not enforced. would be better,
perhaps. The police force say the fault
Is with the courts. and the courts say
evidence OF transgressions is not pro-
duced before them. Wherever the fault
lies. however. the public IS perfectly
satisfied that many of the laws are in a
great measure. dead letters The law for
closing bar-rooms on Sunday may be
bad law. but whether good or bad, while
II Is the law. il should be enforced. 1t is
perfectly well known that the Jaw is open
" dIsregarded and had Just as well not
be In existence. This Is as bad as posi-
BILE. II the law is bad law. let 1t be
modified or repealed But whilst 1t is the
law. all men should be compelled TO re-
spect and observe II. Nothing can be more
demoralizing than for a community TO see
one of its laws openly disregarded and
dened
II is matter OF universal comment
that gambling houses are kept open in
Richmond without the slightest reference
10 the authorities. When Puryear was
shot a few days back the newspapers
spoke OF the affair taking place in MS
gambling rooms" just as though they had
been talking OF a citizens ordinary place
OF business. There is absolutely nothing
so demoralizing and so degrading to
people as liberation OF gambling
houses. They lead off young men into
the paths of vice. they corrupt and de-
bauch staid men and men of families,
and they bring pestilence and ruin upon
every community where they exist.
Gambling houses should he broken up and
rooted out OF the city at whatever cost.
yet Il is common knowledge that they are
openly run in Richmond with scarcely a
veil cast over their infamous business.
As we have said. the police claim that
this state Of affairs is due to the courts,
and the courts say the police fail TO
supply them with evidence. We have now
a chance to clear this matter up. and
place the responsibility exactly where II
belongs. Put the right sort Of man al the
head of the police force, and there Will
never again be a question as TO the
place where the responsibility rests. lie
will expose the bar-rooms that under
take 10 carry on their business on Sun
day and he will break up the gambling
dens. or bring their proprietors before
the courts with evidence upon which their
conviction will be forced.
Come now. gentlemen OF the Police
Board. Richmond has right 10 expect
wise and positive action from you at
this point. See TO 1t that the man you
elect has no suspicion hanging TO him OF
completely with or sympathy for the law
less elements. Give us a chief who Will
lcok upon the force as an agency for
fcrretng out and suppressng crime. ana
not as one for winking at II. and turning
Its back whilst crime Is in progress.
1t may be that some superior man can
be found outside OF the force. Give Us a
man who has had no possible connection
with the existing state Of affairs. ana
who has had disciplinary training.