The herald., 1897-11-23
ON THE STREET

What are the police doing about
the illegal nickel-in-the-slot machines.
whose proprietors boldly pay out money
across the counter on the yare occasions
that their victims win? A police officer
assured me the other day that 1t was
impossible to gather sufficient evidence
to convict one Of these illegitimate op-
orators. You see," said he, "all these
men have made it business to know
every officer that ever comes on their
beat. even II they don't recognize the
uniform. The detectives are also per-
fectly familiar to the nickel-in-t the slot
men. AS soon as they see or are warned
OF the approach Of any officer they are
at once only playing for cigars" would
not accept the excuse, and told my friend
that 1t seemed to me but a poor reflec-
tion on the smartness and ingenuity of
the police force II they could not detect
and bring to justice a misdemeanor
which Is every day appallingly trans
parent right ION the street." This evil
is growing. notwithstanding Is a
grave disease, and is undermining the
pockets Of hundreds who can i'll afford
the vice. When will we be able to imi-
tate the bard Of the San Francisco
Wasp. who sings as follows
TO THE SLOT MACHINE
(On Hearing That 1t Must Coy
Good-by. old box; we've had our fun:
or course, I've paid the bill.
Though oft I've tried for aces up
They never came until
Three times the price of all I've won
Within your slot were jugged.
Good-by. old box, l will not weep
Because that slot is plugged.
1t is very unpleasant to revive pub
lie scandal, all cause for which, one had
believed. was eradicated. There are
miserable apologies for men in this
city. as in most others, who haunt the
corners Of the streets after dark and
whenever they see a chance accost any
unaccompanied woman with q gross
leer or impertinent suggestion. That
these scrubs are not more often horse
whipped and cast into the gutter. where
they belong. is marvellous. But this is
not all. Some Of these blackguards have
lately invaded the almost sacred pre-
cincts Of the public library, whittier
every hour of the day scores of young
girls and children wend their way.
have direct evidence of such offences;
otherwise the disreputable point would
not be mooted. 1t is difficult and almost
impossible for the library officials to
cope with this intolerable nuisance The
librarian and her assistants already
have their hands full, and ladies are not
competent to deal with these insults to
society If it be necessary. let the
library board demand the services of
policeman. in plain clothes, to be on duty
in the library corridors. A public ex-
ample of one of these "mashers" will
have most salutary effect. for they
are invariably poltroons. 1t ought not,
however, to be necessary to call in the |
aid Of the police in such matters. All
abuses can be cured by public opinion. |
If the majority of men did their duty
to themselves and the community, such
a villainous practice as refer to would
be impossible.
This reflection leads me to remark
that the burdens and disappointments
of any reformer are often intolerable,
unless he has the constant inspiration
OF doing good for its own sake, without
thought ofreward or punishment. Con-
slider, for instance, the path of an hon
est and scrupulous police commissioner.
If he is worthy of these two epithets
there is nothing in it for him." His
duties and the calls upon him are in
cessant and exasperating. No sooner is
one reform effected than another evil
demands extinction. The wheel of mis-
fortune for him must sometimes seem
desperate and eternal. BY the time the
seventh abuse is reformed the first has
in all probability required. Individual
guardians of the commonwealth, be they
or policemen, are of little
value unless they are supported not only
by public opinion but by public action.
BYSTANDER.