The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-15
Co1rMUNTClTIoNs
The Bill to Give More Power to the Law
 and order League.

The Bill to Give More Power to the Law
 and order League.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER;
 It is said that it is a. dangerous prece- dent, and in some way contrary to sound principles, to allow any corpora ton to any part of the work of the state in the enforcement of the criminal laws.
 But why? A large part of the public work in every civilized country is done by private corporations. Governments have built roads and bridges through turnpike companies ferries through ferry companies; private corporations have even been chartered to carry on the entire postal service. The Pacific railroads have been chartered under the power of the United States Ito establish post roads" National banks in this country, the Bank of England in Great Britain, and similar private corporations in many other countries have exercised the power of the states | by which they are chartered, to issue the national currency. Why should not a state charter g. corporation to detect crime as much as to issue bills or build railroads? It certainly is nothing new in Connecticut or elsewhere. The Humane society has prosecuting off, cers empowered to issue criminal pro- cess and agents empowered to make arrests. Similar powers, and even greater have been granted to private | corporations in other states. The Con- necticut Law and Order league has employed skilled detectives at great ex- pense. Why should not these detectives serve process issued by the state author | ities, and make arrests? This is all | the proposed charter asks It does not ask for the ample powers granted to the Humane society What private right will be invaded? What possible wrong will be done, or injury ensue, | if the detectives of the league are em- | powered to serve process and make ar- l rests, provided they are proper persons to do the work? The league can only recommend the appointment of these detectives, the appointment is made by the governor. What principle of good government is thus infringed? A body of citizens interested in the enforcement of the criminal laws-the most laudable Of all public work-are incorporated. There certainly can be no objection so far. The governor is authorized, not obliged, to appoint cer- tain persons whom they recommend to serve process and make arrests All the power granted to this corporation so far as the detectives are concerned, is
 
 dation is not very ample or dangerous one. That is is a great advantage almost necessity in the detection of crime, that the detective shall have the power of arrest is too obvious for argument
 Is it dangerous precedent to give the league a certain portion of the fines obtained from these detections? What is this provision but one of the many ways of offering rewards for the detection of crime? In how many acts do our laws distinctly provide that the complainant shall share in the pen atty. To the Humane society the law gives all the penalties collected in the cases they prosecute. The league has in two years put $30,000 into the treas ury of this state; 1t has spent $10000 per annum in doing it. It will get by this charter one-half of what it spends. Is this dangerous?
 Should there be an appropriation in- stead of share in the penalties?
 The state may grant appropriations to societies which do not do the work they promise to do. The appropriation may vanish in salaries. This charter abso- luteIy cuts off that possibility. The league receives according to it's work If it does no work there are no penal ties in which it can share. Which is the safer course, to offer a reward for work done, or for work promised?
 What necessity is there for such an organization as this league?
 This inquiry can not be better ans