New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1902-05-24
THE Z ENTERPRISE
AM pESEEt CONSOLIDATED.
the SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL.

Owing to the presence OF much
lawIessucss in our midst. aud the
defvlug of our police officers by
dislurhers Of the peace, thereby es-
Gaping arrest. n petition was
signed last Wednesday by some
thirty of our leading business men
requesting the Mayor to call an i'm
mediate meeting of the Council to
consider the matter. In response
the Mayor promptly called the
meeting. which was largely attend.
ed by the citizens Of the city aud
uron invitation of the Council, sew
oral expressed themselves on the
situation. Hon Walter J, Burke,
Mcssrs. j /. Suherhiello, Il ).
Mcmahon aud others, appealing to
the Council for more efficient po-
lice service in the suppression of
the lawlcss element III our city.
The Board promptly dismissed one
officer. Jack Stafford. aud gave a
general ovcrhauling Of the other
officers aud demanding from them
in the future prompt aud energetic
action in the interest Of good order
aud peace within the city limits
Judge Brown appeared aud made a
statement to the effect that his Of
forts were greatly handicapped by
the action of Mayor Fisher IN re-
leasing prisoners which he had in
carcerntcd This fact IN one in
stance being established by the nd
mission of his honor. the Mayor
himself, he was rensured by vote
of the Council, rs acting beyond
his jurisdiction,
The Mayor pleaded in cNtenua-
ton that the jail was unfit for the
occupation of prisoners, being
filthy aud infested with vormin aud
MS the prisoner released had al
ready been in the Jail several hours
aud had become more sober aud
less dangerous, he assumed the re
sponslhility Of releasing him, III
tending that flne and proper pro.
ceediugs should be brought against
him in due time. In doing this he
was only following precedent in
a number OF other eases by the of.
ticers.
The action of the Council was no
doubt right in its vote of censure.
aud eminently proper. but 1t went
to the other extreme IN entirely eN.
oneratiug the city Judge, aud Civ
ing him u vote Of confidence for. 1t
is well known that the city Judge
is not hlnmeless. But u short time
ago one of our officers was assault,
ed in the presence of this Judge,
aud even he was threatened it he
intertered, this Information was
furnished us by the Judge himself
The parties committing the breach
Of law only appeared before Court
several days after and plead guilty,
a circumstance which cannot be
laid at the door of the Mayor, as
in this instance there was none of
his interference. Another instance
was the defying of Chief Carter by
a disturber Of the peace, who re.
sisted arrest forcibly with Ratchet
aud refused to he arrested by the
Chief or his assistant. and ouly
through the efforts OF Marshal
Palfrey was he arrested at all. ap-
pearing at the City Court ouly the
following day. For this otfeuse
the Judge gave him the light fine
of Ave dollars aud with the state
ment, Gas told us by Carter and
Finney in the presence of witness)
that he was not furnishing him for
resisting arrest, but for disturbing
the peace, in violation of city or
dinance.
Judge Brown must bear his share
Of the responsibility for the non
respect accorded our police, rs he
did not on the occasions above
mentioned properly support them,
his action would have tendency
to bring their authority into con
tempt. That n mistake was made
by the Mayor he himself admits,
and we think the Council did right
in their censure, but at the same
time we think the city Judge was
not altogether blameless.
We stand for law aud order
strictly aud impartially admins
tered, but when faults are commit.
ted let each bear their share Of the
responsibility.