Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1909-09-11
Communicated
coon gRDER MvgT PREVAIL

Communicated
GOOD ORDER MUST PREVAIL
NIX EDITOR Referring to the petition
published IN your paper last week. 10 fs-
gsrds 20 the Saturday night crowds, 1t
seems TO me that the petitioners labor
under the impression that they are the
most important people 81 the. town; that
nothing must be done that they think
will interfere with their private interests;
that certain people must be allowed IN.
due liberty ct the expense Of the comfort
and pleasure Of the majority, and that the
laws must be ignored for their benefit
and license allowed to a certain class
Further that the officers whose duty it is
20 preserve order, regardless Of race or
color, do not exercise good judgment
Let us consider these points: Every
citizen knows that for many years past,
efforts have been made through the press
and otherwise to break up these Saturday
night crowds; they were and are q nui-
sance. It has not been ct for white
woman to walk the streets on the nights
mentioned. II by chance our wivea or
daughters we're compelled 70 DO out on
matters Of business, they were compelled
to push their way through crowd Of
negroes, men and women and are forced 20
listen to foul language, for il is fact we'll
known, that it is not our best and most
respectable class Of colored citizens who
congregate on the corners and hold fam
lily reunions on the sidewalks of our town.
They 60 about their business and disturb
no one. Again the petitioners stand in
their own light, for do they not know
that il this state Of affairs lie allowed to
prevail, that it will effectually cut off
the trade or patronage Of the great majer-
ity OF our citizens on a Saturday evening.
It is possible that three or four Of them
may find the colored trade the most profit
able to them, but they are placing them
selves in q position to forget the respect
Of the majority, and hence curtailing
their prospects, Of increased business in
the future. The law knows no distinction
in race or color, and an efficient police
officer who discharges his duties con-
scientionsly will break up crowd, black
or white, as . most effective way TO pre-
vent disorder and trouble, and that is
what our present Chief Of Police, Howard
". Stanley, has been doing without any
discrimination, fear or favor, Whatever.
All have been treated alike, and that 10
the proper course. Surely, readers, you
are not willing to allow that the colored
people are to be allowed to do as they
please and be entitled TO more privileges
that the white citizen. The police have
exercisedgood judgment in handling these
crowds; they have treated white and
black alike as can be proven beyond
doubt, and instead of condemnation, they
deserve our highest praise.
What will be the result II the Police
are prevented from doing their duty. One
word will Observation-Disclosures. Who
will be responsible2 Answer-the Town
Commissioners. Why7 Because il il
their duty to see that peace and order
is preserved. They now have in Mr..
Howard W. Stanley, our chief Of police, Q
most efficient, impartial and gentlemanly
officer, who deserves the hearty support
Of every fair-minded citizen, and certainly
is entitled to, by virtue Of bis appoint
ment, the strongest moral and legal sup
port Of the Board Of Town Commissioners,
This Board has done great deal for the
betterment Of our town, financially and
otherwise, and cannot do less than sup.
port the officer Of their choice and hiE
subordinates.
j In regard to the statement that colored
people were 70 be driven 70 their homes
or out of town at 8 certain hour. that ID
not true. There is no law to that effect.
nor have the police any orders Of thst
kind. The writer made inquiry in regard
to that point, and found that portion Of
the petitioners statement untrue; and
further ii that petition was again pre-
sented tothe signers, there would be very
few signatures, as the matter was mot
| duly considered by those who signed il.
trust thas tie Town Commissioners win
continue % maFin mo good Will and e.
tssn Of tbs Vazi nsiprity % our town. "
ignoring The petiiiea and nat relax in
the least their orders "A lhe poliCe ioF the
preservation 81 order, which has been
productive Of the best order under our
present chief, than ever before,
AcITlzEs.