The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-23
England,s Respect for Law.

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Mr.. Robert G. Hiden, formerly Of Rich
mond and now associate editor Of the
Birmingham News has recently returned
from IL tri1, abroad. and has been writ
ing some entertaining and instructive
sketches for his paper, giving his impress
civic way that which most Impressed him
was the supreme respect for and rigid
observance Of law This, he says, is
seen everywhere, and is supplemented
by the high value attached to human
life He was Informed while in Liver
pool, for example. that although It is a
seaport town, q stranger could stroll
through the slums at any hour OF the
night without risk OF losing his life or OF
being robbed He inquired Of several po-
llcemen Of the cities Of Liverpool. Edln-
burgh and London, who carried no clubs
whether or not they were armed ut night
and received a negative reply The po-
licemen explained that they did not need
weapons, "ns killings were exceedingly
rare and officers of the law were very
seldom resisted while making arrests or
otherwise discharging their duties. The
wide observance Of the laws in Great
Britain" continues Mr.. Hiden, is seen
in tho perfect control of the street traf-
fc which, police officers maintain III
crowded cities like London Where, two
thoroughfares leading into The Strand
u cd 1,t{I, %roP p
fic and there Is danger OF blockade, a
policeman stands with his back to the
traffic behind him and stretches his arms
In the direction of the two side streets.
That means that all traffic In his rear
must stop long enough for that Of the
side street to get In and not cab or
bus or vehicle Of any kind will dare pass
that policeman from behind until his
arms are dropped.
When Rev. William NJ. Clark. OF Rich
mond, recently returned from his trip
abroad l,e was asked by a friend what
most impressed him, and he said, as Mr..
Hidden has said, that 1t was the rigid
observance Of law CurIousy enough, as
an Illustration, he mentioned. as Mr..
Hiden has mentioned the case of the po.
liceman ut the street corner in control
Of passing vehicles, 1t seemed to Mr..
Clark almost as miraculous as the d.
viding of the Red Sea at the command
of Moses.
But 1t must be remarked that England
Is very old community; that Its Gus
toms are long established: that its popu-
laton Is largely to the manor born. and
that there are few interlopers In
comparatively new country like the United
States. where there Is steady stream Of
immigration from all parts Of the world,
where the population cannot in the na-
ture of things be homogeneous. 1t is I'M
reasonable to expect tho same reverence
for law that Is to be found in a coun-
try like England. Moreover, in settling
laws sufficient to meet the demands of
the situation could not be established at
once, and 1t was necessary at times in
newly settled communities 10 resort\to
lynch law
But the people of The United States
ara becoming more and more lnw-abid-
Ing people. and as communities become
| more and more settled. there is CORE
! spending increase in respect for law.
When We get to be as old as England
now is. We shall doubtless be quite as
orderly and obedient 40 law
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.