The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-10-27
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Sheriff John u. Hunter Makes
Statement.

Editor or Ine Lancaster News:
l very often hear of the commits
sion of various grades of crime and
misdemeanors in different parts of
our county. Blind tigers" thieves
and gamblers constitute the class of
persons who are guilty of the above
named violations of the law, and any
one knows that it is a very hard mat
ter for a known officer of the law to
catch such violators of the law act
ually engaged in their crime. They
know that the officers are on the
lookout for them and hence they hide
their business of violating the law
to such an extent that it makes it
almost impossible for officers to To-
cate them
So, if every good, law-abiding
citizens in Lancaster county will re-
solve to do all that he can to obtain
evidence against each and every vio-l
lator of the law in his community
the matter of law enforcement will
be made comparatively easy and
more thorough. Those who desc
crate the Sabbath. lead young boys
astray sell whiskey or gamble should
be punished. Let every citizen,
whose religious and moral duty It
is to see that the laws are enforced,
get evidence against all violators of
the Grand Jury or go before a Mag
istrate and swear out warrants for
those committing crime. DO this and
you will not only serve your fellow
man but you will be aiding me in the
enforcement of law. and if for any
reason citizen does not wish to pur-
sue the above courses Just let him
place the evidence in my hands and
| Will take out warrants on informa-
tion and belief. Let the citizens CO.
operate with me, and while | am no.
public prosecutor. l will see that the
ends of justice are met Give mo
the evidence, if you do not wish to-
prosecute violators of the law. and
will bring the accused to trial.
l am sure that no citizen could do
a more beneficial act for his COM
munity, county and State than to Sc
cure evidence against violators of the
law. who commit crimes in his i'm
mediate neighborhood, and citizensI
can certainly do this far better than
any officer, who lives miles away and
who is we'll known to such violators
of law.
However, a great many people
think, or seem to think, that gamb-
lers, who secrete themselves in the
woods, blind tigers" who hide in
their dens. have to be taught by of
ficers slipping upon them while they
are committing the crime before they
can be arrested. This is a mistaken
idea. All that is necessary to have
the guilty arrested and convicted is
the evidence. 1t is the duty of every
good citizen to use every legitimate
effort to secure this evidence and
bring the guilty ones to Justice. The
courts are for that purpose. I have
made the foregoing suggestions in
order that you may aid me in the en-
forcement of the law against all
criminals
But some people can see what
others ought to do and can tell what
should be done. while they. them
selves, are blind, dull. inactive and
mum as to their own duties and re-
sponsibilities as citizens may be
one of this class in the eyes and es-
timation OF some but / am now, as T
have always been. ready. willing and
anxious to cooperate with the best
citizens Of my county in bringing
guilty parties to Justice For a GER
tain class of criminals can only be
caught and punished by the whole
sale cooperation of our best citizens
and officers in the discharge of their
duty. JOHN p. HUNTER.
Sheriff Lancaster County.