Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-06-02
CRIME RAMPANT
Awful Condition of Affairs In
Parkersburg.

Parkersburg.
State Journal Draws startling Pie
ture Of the Conditions Existing Down
There F0reible Reasons Why the
University Should not be Moved to
that Place.
The following terrific arraign-
ment of the officials Of Parkersburg
is made by the State Journal in a
leading editorial. The condition of
affairs is simply appalling. The pic.
ture cannot be said to be overdrawn.
That a member or two OF the city
council OF Parkersburg are sincere
in their efforts to suppress crime
that has become more rampant than
ever before, is not to be doubted,
but it seems that they can make no
availlng effort. Gamblers, thieves.
pickpockets, buncoists, confidence
men in particular, and all the other
types of insolent preying criminals
have resorted here, and ply their
infamous, cowardly. and vicious
callings, unnoticed and unrebuked
by those in authority. Ii seems use
less for the newspapers and the re
spectacle element OF society to Join
in any demand for the enforcement
Of the law. for the punishment of
malefaetors, tor nothing is provoked
from those whose duty il should be
to protect the people, but sneers and
jeers.
1t is safe to say that no man who
lives like vulture on the weakness
or gnllibilitv OF his victims, is ever
arrested in Parkersburg, when his
arrest can be avoided by the min
ions Of the law-unless he has first
incurred their enmity, or the enmity
Of those who could control matters,
whoever they may be. Who those
are that have TO be plaeaJed-or
have that done TO them, which Sc
cures the violators of the law all the
protection possible-may be guess
ed at.
That the people OF Parkersbure,
the good citizens OF the town, would
right all this if they knew how, is
certain, but they are likely for the
time as powerless as they seem.
There is continual talk Of punish
ment, of exposure of those who
seem to be making themselves Grim
inals, by aiding those who are al
ready so,-the pluckers and strip
pers and bold despoilers OF the I'M
wary, but nothing is done. 1t is
more dangerous to be decent man
in Parkersburg, than one Of this
gang OF scoundrels, that Turk in the
alleys, and on the corners aid hang
around the trains, waiting for vic
tins on whom to ply their cunning.
No policeman could see one of these
Williams, if he had a five thousand
horse power magnifying glass. He
would not dare to do so. If he did
he would likely lose his job.
1t is no use to talk about these
hurting the city. 1t is the condi
tion of foul rottenness, of municipal
stencil that smells to the heavens.
that hurts. 1t is not reform in the
conduct of the newspapers, which
have the courage to speak out about
these matters, but a change in the
right place, in those who can fire
every thug and thief out of Parkers-
burg between days, il they so de-
sire, that is needed. Light and air
hurt not that which is pure and
right. but instead they show the
things that poison, and eradicate
and cleanse the places that are foul.
Public sentiment, by public talk
and effort, can finally be made strong
enough to sweep away the notorious
alliances with crime, here in this
goodly city, even if the task Of do
ing so is long and arduous one.
At least the press should not be
silent, but it should let those who
are responsible for the iniquitous
state of affairs know they are not
concealed from view as much as they
think they are.