Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-20
SAYS MASTERSON
IS GOOD OFFICER
FRANK JAMES APPROVES OF
APPOINTMENT
Hero Of Many Raids UphoIds Presl-
dents SELECTION Of Terror Of
Dodge City and Expects
Good Results
Special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
ST. LOUIS. Mo. Feb 1e-Frank
James. civil war veteran. hero Of many
a raid. and one of the famous James
Boys" of earlier Missouri history, APP
proves President Roosevelt's appoint
ment Just announced of Bat" Master
son. former famous bad man" Of
Dodge City, as United States marshal
for the district of New York.
There are more bad men in the
east than there are in the west" said
James Therefore. men like Master
son. who know their duty and are not
afraid or slow to do it, are needed
more in that section of the country
than they are needed out here.
"Masterson never killed man with
out justification. He never will kill
one otherwise He killed when he was
doing his duty as an officer of the
law, and he either had to kill or be
killed.
He will do his duty as United States
marshal in New York just as he did
it when he was sheriff of Dodge City.
There's Just this difference, as / can
see it,
I'm the Dodge City days, when he
had a warrant for a mans arrest, he
threw his gun on him and ordered
hands up as soon as he got in sight;
then he read the warrant In the east
he will probably go to the mans door,
having his gun in easy reach, of
course, and begin the proceedings by
reading the warrant.
"The method will be different. but
the result will be the same-Masterson.
the United States marshal in New
York, will get his man just as Master
son. the sheriff at Dodge City, used
to get his. There won't be so much
bloodshed. it won't be necessary.
"Masterson, as marshal, will be
there. They will recognize in him the
majesty of the law. They will know
that when he goes after them they
will have one of three chances-sur-
render. kill him OF be killed by him.
The result is they will be more care
full how they break the law and render
themselves liable to visit from the
new marshal.
Il have met Masterson two or three
times. and have spoken to him, but l
can't say l am a personal acquaint-
ance. l know his history, however,
and know he's like that other good
bad man., Pat Garrett, whom Presi-
-
lector of the port of Ell Paso, Tex. The
president did the right thing there; he
chose the right man, and the result is
less smuggling and less lawbreaking
in CARROTS district than there ever
was before.
You see, those Smugglers down
there are not bothered much by any
thing except a bullet from the gun Of
man who can shoot quick and
straight. They take all the chances
they can take and still save their skins.
But with Garrett as collector they
don't have so many chances. They
know they cannot defy him safely;
when he goes after them they have
either to surrender or kill him, and
they know there is small chances OF
killing him; it's a better chance tha
they will be killed. So they naturally
keep somewhat clear of him.
"Masterson and Garrett are men oi
he same class. They are not trouble
makers; | dare say neither of then
have engaged in saloon btawl, never
went around with a chip on his should.
er looking for trouble, never shot III
a town, never posed as a bully or {
desperate.
e'They are cool men-not reckless