Evening journal., 1907-10-18
CONSTABLES UP
AGAINST A SNAG
Comptroller Chandler Says
They Are Getting Too
Much Money
GROWS OUT OF
ARREST OF TRAMPS

With the intention Of breaking up
what he says is a combination between
the special officers Of the p, B. & B.
Railroad Company and the eonstables
Of New Castle county to recover fees
from the county for arresting tramps
and other trespassers on the railroad
company which neither the constable
no the special officer is entitled to
under the law, Comptroller Philemma
lChandler has sent to each Of the con-
stables, officers and magistrates in the
city notice that they will have trouble
hereafter to collect such fees.
The letter the magistrates, con-
stables and officers. as well as a copy
Of the law under which Mr.. Chandler is
acting, follow:
Dear Sir: / wish to call your atten-
ton to the inclosed copy of an act in
/ reference to constables protecting
property Of railroad companies from
trespassers and fixing powers and fees
Of officers.
Hereafter all constables bills win be
audited strictly according to this law
l wish to cal your special attention
to the last sentence in Section /.
Very respectfully,
P. Chandler. Comptroller.
J. Harry Pierson, Deputy.
Volume XXI, Part /, Laws OF Della
ware, page 12s. Chapter 70.
OF CONSTABLES
An Act protecting the property OF rail-
road companies from trespassers. and
fixing powers and fees Of officers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives of the State
Of Delaware, in General Assembly met:
Section l. That the governor be and
he is hereby authorized to appoint such
number of special constables for ans
railroad company of this State as such
company may apply for Such con-
stables shall have al the powers OF a
county constable, but shall receive nc
compensation or fees except such as
are paid by such railroad company
Such constables shall not act as depu.
ties of any sheriff or constable ant
no sheriff or other officer shall appoin
or authorize any person TO act as his
deputy in making arrests on the prop.
erty of any railroad company except il
cases OF riot.
Section 2. In all cases Of arrest b,
such special constables for vagrancy OF
trespass on the property Of a railroad
company, the person 50 arretsed 4
proven guilty. may be committed to tn,
county Jail by any justice OF the peac,
for term Of not exceeding i've days.
Section g. The fees OF justice o.
lpeace sheriffs and witnesses under thil
act shall be the same as those provided
in chapter 225 Of volume IS, Lave o
Delaware.
Approved March 3, A. d. 1901
Mr.. Chandler says it has been tn,
custom for years for railroad officers
to arrest trespasses and then tun then
over to the county constables for prose,
cution. Under the law It appears tina
the special officers cannot recover fee
for such arrests. The constables. how
ever. can.
Hereafter. Mr.. Chandler says, thl
railroad company officers will have I,
prosecute all their own cases. whicl
, procedure will necessarily save tn
county a large amount of money whicl
heretofore went to the constables 70
prosecuting the cases after the tres
passers had been turned over to them
Mr.. Chandler says Chief Of Pollcl
Black approves of his stand In TIL
matter.
"The practice of this combination
has been a burden on the county, AM
I propose to break it up, no matte
whom 1t affects" said the comptrolle
this morning while discussing the sub
ject