The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-21

tn1t ne - y1peotf Acquiring tne fepu va
sion of being chief 1u.aicfaI protector TO
the criminal classes In King county.
His unarcounfabIe p<rversisy IN raaking
difficult ana even imposent the work Of
the prosecuting attorneys Office has
been responsive for the release Of more
than one known criminal: and his ex-
tremeiy technical rulings have in other
cases torn TO pieces plain and induhft-
able proof Of guilt Notorious maiefae-
tors have eithsr escaped punishment or
been regarded With extreme Ieniencs.
The course Of justice In the criminal de-
parsment II little less than farce.
The Post-Inteiligencer does not i'm
peach Judge Jacobs for moral rIrpitude
or want Of honesty. but II does deciars
that he has shown himself wholly Gncap-
able Of discharging properly the solemn
duties OF his office. or Of appreciatins
his pivotal relation to the public safety.
in that he fails to deal ~ith the criminal
classes vigorously and feariessiy. lie
has practically driven the Seattle police
out Of his court. With hands tied. they
have been forced TO tolerate the pres
encs In Seattle Of desperadoes. thugs
and evii-doers of all kinds, who pursue
their nefarious occupations with great
contempt for iawsnud small fear for con-
sequences The sheriff OF the county
has undertaken the arrest and punish
ment Of wreng-doers for crimes that
properly come under the authority of
the city police: but. IL the case of the
infamous Lyts is to be considered
sample. his efforts are likewise likely to
be thwarted. and he. too. win come
under the ban OF judicial disfavor.
The .-Intelligencer has no desire
10 pose as an alarmist: but. for the sake
obliged 10 call attention to the grave
situation that confronts US all. There
are in Seattle today hundreds of strang-
ers. many Of them with money. They
are the natural prey OF bunko-steerers
and contidence-operators who are here
in numbers to betray and rob them.
What guaranty have we that any of
them caught red-handed In crime will
be adequately punished, or punished at
ali7 What support will either the
sheriff or the police or the prosecuting
attorney get from Judge Jacobs IL they
do their duty diligently and conscien,;-
ously7 What assurance can we give to
the returned miners OF the Klondike
that when they come to Seattle both
their lives and property VIII be safe?
What Ia the secre. of the extraordinary
success OF the criminal lawyer John r.
Dore In defending known thugs and
malefactors7 Does it lie In his exeep-
tional skill and ability as practitioner?
II IL does. then the public has hereto-
fore unaeres,smated Mr.. Dore, and he
is entitled to have. as be has, great part
IF the profitable business before Judge
Jacobs In calling attention to the re-
markabie record OF Mr.. Dore In the
criminal department. the PostinteiN-
gencer expressly disclains any purpose
OF snsinuatson that there is any colin
slve understanding between himself and
the Judge. bat II does appear 10 be the
fact that this assute attorney has dis
covered an easy and effective way 20 the
courts respectful and appreciative at
tension for any argument he may add
vance or suggestion he may make.
IL In time for Judge Jacobs 10 amend
his attitude toward the prosecuting at
tnrnsy and the police. II he does not.
We shall soou reach a crisis In the ad
nsinisirasian 81 public justice in this
county that will make Imperative the
organization os citizens for their own
protection against the impuAsu; and gn
restrained Entertainments Of the GRIM
inAi classes