Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1914-04-29
ANNUAL APPOINT.
MENT OF OFFICERS
At NEXT MEETING
SEVERAL POSSIBLE MEN FOR
NIGHTWATCH - MARSHALL
ALSO TO BE APPOINTED.
LONELY WALK ALONG
RIVERS BANK OBSERVED
Sentiment Fayors More adequate
Protection OF Business Houses
at Night.

AT the next meeting of the council
the annual appointment of some of
the city officials will occupy "A portion
of the time. 1t is rumored that John
Higgins will accept the office OF watch
man if given him by the council. Be-
sides Chas. Waggoner, who now holds
the office, the name of Elmer r.. Cook
is being mentioned as another possible
man for the place. General satisfac-
tion has been evident with the work
of James Meginley. as Marshall, and
il is probable that he will be appointed
again
Sentiment along the street among
the business men favors a stronger
or more thorough patrohng of the
streets at nights. 1t is only a matter
of fortune that Belding has not been
looted before now Yeggmen and
thieves are continually raiding the out
lying cities from the larger centers of
the country. The same fate that has
come to others may come to Belding
at any time.
1t is a well known fact that on
heavy pay days the people do their
shopping and pay accumulated bills to
the merchants in the evening after the
banks have closed for the day. Some
of them at times have from one to
several hundred dollars left i'm their
stores at closing time. While most
of the merchants have fre-proof
safe i'm which To keep papers and a
small amount Of cash, yet they almost
invariably consider the store equip
ment insufficient to safely keep the
large amount of money left in their
possession at these times. Neither do
they like 10 carry the money with
them To their homes.
Regardless Of the efficiency of the
watchman on the streets there is no
one man that could handle the situa-
tion in a sufficiently able manner.
While he is covering one end of his
beat thieves could enter the other eX-
tremty loot store or two, and make
getaway, without his knowing it.
The watchman's whereabouts could
easily be watched by a party of ex-
perienced robbers, or he could be re-
moved from their sphere of action.
thus leaving the field clear for a
nights work. The condition is one
that needs a solution in some way, to
make protection better for the mer-
chants.
In addition to being alone the
watchman has been required To clean
the cross walks along the main street
and also near the depot. This piece
of work needs doing, beyond a doubt
but if some other arrangement could
be made for its accomplishment the
watchman's time might be more ad-
vantageously used to the city's pro-
lection.
Another condition that has been
brought to the attention of the Banner
is lonely and unmatched walk be-
tween the business center Of town and
the Ashfield boarding house. Scores
Of citizens are of the opinion that this
section of the street should have
some attention from a watchman, at
least in the early part Of the night. From
nine-thirty until midnight the section
is said To be the favorite haunt of
men and boys who are waiting for
the passing of girls as they go home.
Many OF these girls feel the need of
better lighting and more vigilant
watching.