The record-union., 1897-01-15

llIc oIetIt ol San DleSO, IOT l1ie TcdSoiiS
stated The San Diego Sheriff may no.
tify all his brother officials from the
south to the north line of the State, give
them descriptions of the man wanted IN
great detail, but except there is large
reward offered, none of these officers
can justify themselves in pursuing the
man. If he runs across their paths,
they will do their duty in their own
counties. but rarely outside of them.
Thus the criminal ga" escapes from
one county to another, until he is out
side of the State and fairly safe. After
a time new Sheriffs take Office and the
criminal ventures to return to his old
haunts. But he has new set of men
to deal with, men unfamiliar with the
facts in his case, and in the depths OF
whose office files his description is buried
effectually Perhaps one of these new
officers is asked by the county officials
in which the crime was committed to
look OUT for the man, but they have
little reason or incentive to do so.
In county B meanwhile new Sheriff
takes office, when from some distant
detective agency or the Sheriff of
county in some other State there comes
a letter or dispatch asking If "a certain
criminal is wanted by him. The new
Sheriff forwards the necessary reply
and follows it with requisition, to flnd
o1 ft,sa{ hn yeyziS iSS
man wanted, but is a suspect, perhaps
the victim of some revengeful woman
or other person, as is often the case.
The county has been put to great ex-
pense, and with no satisfactory results.
1t is safe to say that Sacramento
County has expended several thousand
dollars in chasing fictitious Tom Law
tons. Yet it is we'll known the atrocious
murderer of old man Tullis is living,
and has corresponded with friends in
this city very recently. In all these
cases of unsystematic pursuit, as In the
I.awton case, SO much time elapses
that witnesses die off, the facts are for
gotten, interest in the case subsidies and
the criminal is safe from the penalty OF
his crime.
Under a State Constabulary system
there would be no loss of time In be-
ginning pursuit, no cessation OF 1t, no
cross purposes in following the offender,
but little misguidance by reason OF un-
reliable descriptions and accounts; no
forgetfulness as to details; no follow
ing in straight lines. On the contrary,
avenues of escape would be closed;
county jurisdictions would not become
obstacles; criminals would be surround
ed and trapped with large degree Oh
certainty and justice would be more
likely to have her due.
The State Constables would be in con-
stant communication with every oIncer'
prison Warden and police force in the
United States. They would have means
and devices at command that the indie
pendent officers cannot have. There
would be no secreting Of prisoners, no
conceaIment of facts which If known
hope of the offer of reward.
Rewards by the State always, and
private rewards generally, depend upon
conviction being secured, and these
therefore largely fail of their intended
effect. because of the chances taken
The State Consta bulary would be infiu-
erced by no such dependence and actu-
ated by no such motives. They are put
to no private expense; they are not un-
der any inducement to pocket
wanted man. in hope of reward.
That express and railroad companies
are more successful in their pursuit OF
criminals .offending against their inter-
ests is due solely to the fact that their
orerations are systematic, and are not
impeded by lack Of means or the bar
riers Of local jurisdiction, the hope OF
reward or the conflict of authority.
We have recently pointed out in detail
that five detectives highly skilled, one
being a chief centrally located, and the
others at distant points having author
ltE Cdll upon dIlu IO-OpCi1 i1IC "AsAi WIZ
Sheriffs. Constables and police officers
throughout the State, can be salaried,
and all their expenses met for not more
than $4,000 a year, and that such
force would save to the counties Of the
State annually thrice that sum by
repressing crime, in rendering the es-
cape OF criminals unlikely and by
bringing offenders to punishment.
The subject has engaged our thought
and attention for years, and the judg-
ment formed originally that such a
State force would be economic for the
State is as strong to-day as at the out
set. 1t is safe to say also that expert
enced Sheriffs, detectives and police
officers in the State are Of the same
mind. The judgment of such a body of
officials is entitled to respect The sub
iect will well repay inquiry into it by
legislative committee, and 1t should
have it.
Captain Cotton is quoted In the Or
egonian'' as having given out In a re-