Evening journal., 1896-08-14
Forced TO Act at Last.

Forced to Act at Last,
We are glad that the Delaware
authorities have at last awakened to
their responsibility In the matter Of the
suppression OF the club hon 80 at Iron
Hill, where. for nearly a month, un-
licensed vendsIs have been publicly
dispensing intoxicating liquors to thou
sands Of men attracted to that place by
the running races held under the pat
ronage Of Billy Thompson, Of Gloucester
fame.
The action taken by State Detectives
McVey and Wltsll yesterday should have
been taken on the very day OF the
opening Of the clubhouse, for the fact
of It's opening WAS notorious, and the
detectives could not have been ignorant
Of It. Still, 1t Is better late than never,
and the people Of Delaware and es.
pecIRlly OF New CASTLE county, are to be
congratulated that they are no longer to
be regarded As partners with Cecil
county, Md. In demorAlizlng system of
outlawed race tracks and unlicensed
diapensaries Of ardent splrIts.
Eor several weeks we have been urg
ing the authorities to take action and
for several weeks they have been qules-
cent. Now that they have become Ao-
tive they should make complete work OF
their undertaking, and not only see that
the club house is kept closed, but also
that the men who are running the wagon
dispensariss In the same neighborhood
are Apprehended and brought to justice.
Iu connection with thls movement on
the part OF our state detectives, We are
In receipt OF the following letter from
Attorney General Robsrt o. White, Of
Georgetown:
To the Editor OF tho Evening Journal.
SIR: / note what you say editorially IN your
issue OF the 18th inst. in reference to the IL
Holt sale of intoricsting LIQUORS by certain
stead of publishing your complaint against
me you file Il before a Justice OF the peacs
against those who are guilty OF the offense.
whose power and duty are 10 Issue a warrant
for the arrest OF the offenders and hold them
IN bail for helr appearance At the Court Of
General Sessions when Il becomes my especial
duty TO prosecute them. And desire now to
inform you and all other good citizens of tho
infrsction OF the law ii is his right and duty
TO give Buch Information TO Justice OF the
peace who possesses full power TO issue a
would be glad II could know At once every
violation OF the law, but A. c.n only be In
one place at the same moment this is imDossi-
bic. Respectfully &c.
r. o. WH1rE.
Attorney General.
Georgetown, Aug. 10, 1890
We have the utmost respect for the
attorney general, but fall to see wherein
he and his detectives are relieved from
responsibility for their non action In this
matter. The very title OF the state de-
tectivss implies the line OF their work.
It is to detect crime; not to walt for
some one else to do It, Through the
press they we're given the 'tip" that
such a place was being conducted at
Iron HILL Ii WAS then their duty to see
whether that "llp" was straight II
II Was discovered TO be straight" they
should have apprissd the attorney gen
eral Of tbs fact aud requested instruc
ticns as to proper legal procedure and
At the same time, have placed Ia bis
possession tho substance Of their eyldenC,
against the place In order that he might
safely advise them Or. they might
have done as they do when they receive
straight tip" that there is goiug to be
priz, fght pulled of on Delaware soil o.
that gambling Is being carried on, o.
any other bresch Of the law-take tn
Initiative aud ask for instructions after,
wards.
They are paid to detect crime and no
merely to serve warrants and summonses
A boy could serve a warrant or a sum
mons
Oar state detectives prids themselve
upon their ssgacity and power Of deduc
tion. They are disciples Of Vidoeq an
Sherlock Holmes, and should acsui
themselves with credit to their idola, al
not wait for civilians to do their work o
collecting evidence. swearing out war
rants. arresting violAtors Of the Law an
all that sort OF thing. It Is too much I
expect Of men who are not paid by th
public to do that line Of work.
We are Of the opInIon that but for tn
inslstence Of the press; the demands O
the Law and Order Society and the Ia
creasIng public sentiment against sue
an outrageous violation of our licens
laws the clubhouse would still be ope
and running at full blast. for detective
employed by the Law and Order societ
were the ones who went to Iron HUI
secured the evidences. placed 1t in th
hands OF William s. Pricr ssociety
attorney, and be demsrdc. q. sdo stat
suthorities take actIon.
We fall to see wherein either th,
attorney general or his two dstsctive,
can have much to say lin self.exeuse