The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1901-05-31
WOULD LET THIEVES STEAL.
Such rs the Dangerous Policy Advocated
by the Editor Of the GOOdIand
News.


News.
By the efficiency, energy, persist
ency and bravery Of the officers of the
law in Sherman county, a record has
been made that has brought this coun-
/ ty and community into public notice
all over the country. It is an honor
able record and one Of which all should
be proud. Yet there is a tendency in
some quarters to criticise the officers
for the faithful discharge of their
duties because of the expense.
The Goodland News contained the
following in its last weeks issue:
Dan Moore, the man who stole the saddle
from Alderman, was brought in last night from
Denver. The saddle is only worth SO or SIS.
and the only punishment the man can receive Is
jail sentence. However, the county VIII have
good sized bill to pay.
This utteTance is characteristic Of
the News editor, E F. Tenant, and
displays the quality Of the breed of
that kind of cattle. Any man that
thus disparages the officers of the law
in the plain discharge of their sworn
duty is not a good citizen and deserves
the contempt of honest men and law
abiding citizens. The argument is;
Because of the cost of enforcement Of
the law, let thieves steal, provided the
thing stolen is of small value" This is
a case where the partaker of the benefit
of this policy is no better than the
thief.
What is law for, anyway? To pro-
tect citizens in their rights of property
character, persons and lives. In con
sideration of this benefit they pay
taxes, and the state is bound in the
compact of law to thus protect its citi-
zens, no matter how trivial the injury
or loss. The News editor disparages
this solemn obligation. A measley
coyote, raiding henroosts by night,
would second the argument of the
scribbIer of the News. a microscope
of 10000 magnifying power would fail
to show any gray matter in the craDi-
um of such a subject.
Now what are the facts. a man ac-
cused of crimes at Wichita; that stole
a team of horses and buggy in Hays
City; that sold the stolen rig to parties
in Beaver City, Neb.; came to Mr..
Ackerman's place and was Hospitality
entertained. This man spots a saddle
in Mr.. Ackerman's stables, and several
days later returns and steals the sad
die needed by Mr.. Alderman In hand
ling his cattle. Mr. Alderman causes
a warrant to be issued for the thief's
arrest. He offers a reward and besides
the loss of time and inconvenience is
to the expense Of from $50 to SO to
run down the thief. and who, when
finally caught, confesses to this and
other crimes
Mr. Alderman has done a public
service at large expense. "Give a thief
a halter and he will find a horse" is an
old and true saying. Men that steal
horses and saddles, teams and buggies,
will commit murder when in a tight
place and they see a chance to escape.
Sheriff Walker has done his duty
and has made another notable catch,
and should be commended for his
shrewdness and energy.
The sentiment of the Iaw-abiding
taxpayers of Sherman county is: MAKE
this county a hot place for thieves OF
all kinds, big or little, at any expense .
The News editor will find he has again
put his foot in it.
J.P- Shuts, county attorney, and n.
Loreditsch, sheriff of Ellis county, were
here from Hays City Sunday and inter
viewed the prisoner, Hardman, alias
Moore. He confessed the theft Of the
team stolen at Hays City and said he
was willing to- take his medicine.