The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-15
THE SITUATION.
month.


THE SITUATION.
The Richmond Passenger and POWER
Company are giving fairly good schedules
for their street cars, and the number OF
their patrons is increasing, but acts u
violence have not ceased altogether
though they arc far less frequent than
formerly.
There are strike sympathizers who still
defy the law, doing under cover
what they are afraid to do openly
Most Of them thus far have escaped ar
rest and the punishments inflicted upon
some of those who have been arrested
have not been sufficient to act as de-
torrents to others.
More drastic measures are needed ana
Judge Witt has recognized that TACT IN
the instructions that he has given the
grand Jury, and the citation Of law Which
he has made, as follows:
"rf any person maliciously obstruct,
remove or injure any part OF canal or
railroad. or any bridge or fixture Thereon,
or maliciously obstruct or injure any ma
chinery, engine, car, or work thereof
whereby the life of any traveller or other
nerson or railroad is put in peril he shall
be confined in the penitentiary not less
than two nor more than ten years; and
in the event OF the death OF any traveller
or other person resulting from such mali
B cious obstructing. removing or in1urng,
the person SO offending shall be deemed
guilty Of murder, the degree to be de-
termined by the jury; or, II any person
,inlawfully but not maliciously. shoot
at or into or throw any stone or other
missile at or into any passenger train or
car, or any railroad. or any part thereof,
whereby the life OF any traveller or other
person, or such train of cars may be put
In peril, upon CONJUNCTION thereof he shall
be punished by confinement in the peniten-
tiary not less than one nor more than
three years, or in the county or city jail
not less than one nor more than Twelve
months. or fined not exceeding 800
There's the law and 1t ought to be on
forced here as 1t was In a number OF
cases arising In Norfolk. Meanwhile. how
ever, some country people are omplain-
ing of the cost OF keeping the military
here, and from several quarters sugges-
lions are advanced that the cost of pre-
serving the peace and protecting prop
erty in Richmond should be thrown
wholly uQoa our; city and county.
We do not know how long present con-
ditions will continue. and we cannot OK
poet the military to remain here indefi-
nitely but this we lnow-it Is up to" us
to assert ourselves moro vigorously than
we have done heretofore. We must make
ready to meet the situation as It develops.
hoping that good feeling will soon be
restored. but prepared for trouble II It
Is thrust upon us.
Ws must see to 1t that the police force
Is reinforced, and handled efficiently. We
must see to 1t that stone-throwers, wire
and pole-cutters and track INSTRUCTORS
are hunted down and arrested Then tho
courts and juries OF the city and county,
we hope and believe. will make the
purishments imposed commensurate with
the enormity OF the ottenses committed
Men who stone passengers or deliberately
plan to wreck street cars careless of the
lives OF the persons on them, do not de-
serve to be treated as mere misde-
neanents They are enmles of society,
and judging them by their acts they
mean to kill or wound, and are not par
ticular whether their victims are men,
women or children.
While the obligation to enforce the law
rests as we'll upon Manchester and Hen,
rico as upon this city, Richmond mus,
TAXA ~ II ia cbiaf cn5
The odlnm of prevailing conditions falls
mainly upon us. II obedience to law could
be strictly enforced here. our neighbors
could not but be faporably impresse by
our example.
So We say to the Mayor and the City
Council and 10 the police authorities OF
Richmond, high and low. the lime has
come for us 10 summon our energies and
exert our strength and be more active
and positivel Whatever Is necessary tc
give zeal and vigor 10 our police force
and add to It's strength should be done
The City Council cannot remain mac
tive. but should go TO work courageously
and resolutely 10 stop lawlessness, n,
ceeding. The people should be made 10 fec
that we have strong. capable ain,
earnest city government,
There is a great responsibility restin
upon the CouEci but 1t may be easie
TO shoulder that responsibility now tha
later ON. In case Of the tedious proionga