The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1908-08-29
THE ATTITUDE OF H w LEADING
PARTIES ON Till STATE POLICE BILL

HE cowARDLY name in which, the Republican State Convention passed
up the state Police law, % one of the most discussed and most vital
issues Of the state campaign, is receiving merfted censurea ant rebuke from
newspapers citizens of all political peruaaons The platform is n purely
Of political policy and not 0De of political principle. Because Of n manner IN
which III police bill has been administered, it has become more OF Less unpopular,
and the Republican party. notwithstanding that it was united in II last lesiAa-
question came before he legislature I. special committee was appointed to draft
bill. A Republican senator as chosen chamano of that special committee and
when the bill came up for passage. every Republican in tn senatea mi every Re-
publican in the house voted for its passage But now, that som opposition to
the law had arisen, purely as the result of its administration by a Republican
superintendent 4 police, he Republicans repudiate 1t for a fancied advantage
it might give them in the coming campaign, and they try to saddle it upon the
Democrats
That the Democrats are nt afraid to tackle this issue is how by the
interview published in ooldaeld this week from U. $ Senator Francis 9. New.
state Convention which is to meet 1t ronopah oil Monday next Upon this sub
The only thing that now distmbs the party in Nevada is tn police bill
It ws passed during a period # considerable excitement and concerning it there
is a wide difference Of opinion I have taken occasion to confer with all classes
N his subject. and particularly with the representatives and members Of the
labor unions. I find throughout an almost universal acquiesence in this convic
ton. that it is the first duty o the STATE to maintain psacea and order IS III con
diion under which property rights may best be protected ant labor be constantly
the machinery fr the local maintenance of peace and order. but also for the
prompt Intervention Of the state leases If emergency when thu local authorities
are eitheru unable or unwilling to maintain peace and order. This is regarded as
particularly true in a state having counties If very small population in which the
local population may be immensely increased in almost a moment by the dis
coveryo of rich mines, attracting ct only men of enterprise and adventure, but
often also tn turbulent disordeny and criminal elements The state is the m
boiment of the people themselves the highest and bestex empifcaton of true
Democracy The state would be beneath contempt which would allow its opera
tions and its enterprises to be paralyzsd p a purely locale disturbance We have
in the Springfield riots recently an exhibition Of how thu passions IT men an be
dashed into fury upon a moments notice, and nov vigorously at times the entire
power OF the whole people must be exercised in order % prevent disorder.
There are three ways of doing this: a. Through he states appeal to the
national government Tor aid No man If state pride believes in this method
the excuses, lack of wisdom and tolerance displayed by unframed militia forces
in times Of emergency and excitement, believes in this. remedy. 1t is apparent
therefore, that thu state must have a peace force of it's own, the nucleus of an
organization which can promptly be brought into operation in case of emergency
The only question i az to h powers to be given such ar organization, and when
they shan be exercised. The powers must b ample ant sufficient to meet the
most extended disturbance such as that at Springfield. The time OF operation
should be confined to eases If emergency where the local forces are unwilling or
unable to meet the conditions II is not to be wondered that the police bill Of
Nevada, passed Turing a period of strait ant excitement, should ave imperfec-
tions that should be remedied. Also it is clear that there have been mistakes in
the administration. such as unnecessary intrusion On the functions of local Of
fcals. This administration has already been corrected by our governor, and
complains in % longer heard Of recenta abuses
1T fhinkt that it can b. taken for granted that he Democratic party at Tono
al viii hi maintaining its devotion to peace an order 4. essential condi
tions to the prosperity and happiness If all classes OF N people, instruct its
legislative candidates t. remedy thu existing imp@fectons of the police bill
without impairng its efficiency n time of emergency and will also tax steps to
prevent recurrence Of he abuses in it's administration. The party will also see
political machine