Bisbee daily review., 1909-02-10

Captain Harry c. Wheeler, of the Arizona Rangers. as fine a body of police as can be found beneath the sun, was in Bisbee yeste, day on busi ness. He will leave this morning with Sheriff White. Captain Wheeler is a very popular man in Bisbee and an day yesterday he was kept busy re ceiying proffeTs of aid in defeating the move to abolish the Rangers, and in in listening to condemnations of the legislature for such a foolish move. The Ranger is optimistic in regard to the ultimate defeat of the II. and indeed could be scarcely otherwise with such a host of friends working in behalf of himself and his men.
 At the recuest of the Review Cap tain Wheeler called at the office last night and talked about his men ana the work they do. As one listened to hm, with his quiet demeanor and friendly manner outline the work of lis men. the small pay they receive. the qualifications they must have be- fore entering the service and the prac- t'cally universal favor and good terIrs which they enjoyed with the county, precinct and city peace officers. one wondered if any legislator could hon estly do the same and think he was doing his people service by getting rid cf the most effective cheek on the grayer crimes of the country.
 "Win you state in a few words why you think the Rangers are required?' was asked Captain Wheeler. Yes; Jhefr usefulness lies in the fact that
 \, IGA covered by the other officers, and which ir would be unreasonable to expect the latter to cover" was his reply Continuing, the captain said:
 since have been with the Rangers tbere has never been case of friction between the Rangers and the ofiicers that come to my notice. There are nine sherils known to me personally and from eight of these i have receiv- ed letters endorsing the service and expressing wish that 1t be contin- usd. Five Of them spoke in terms that really praised us more than I think we deserve. while the other three were quite emphatic in taeir ideas of the necessity Of our force being maintained
 The meu have instructions to deGi with only the graver crimes and never to interfere in local affairs until call ed upon 10 do so. They are always at the command of the officers of the county without reporting 10 me, and always respond to a cali for assistance in capturing a criminal. They are al ways on the move. and each msn knows that he is expected to average riding ten miles a day. the total force covering between eight and nine thousand miles each month iu terri tory that is not otherwise policed. IJ is an easily established fact that an increase in crime has always follow cd removal of the Rangers from any part of the territory.
 One of the chief services of the Rangers is preventing crime. l con sider il of much more importance to prevent the taking of a human life or the stealing of the stock upon which q man depends for his livelihood, than to run down the criminal and punish him. However, our men have an ad- vantage in following criminals be cause they can follow him anywhere and forever.
 You ask what has been urged against the Rangers know of nothing except that the step was taken as a course toward economy. I do know that Texas, New Mexico. Cal roInia. Nevada and Sonora have Q force of Rangers. although all of them are less a frontier country than