The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1920-12-02
TO CHANGE IN POLICE
FORCE

Continued from Page One)
is, however a good deal more to it
than the avoidance of peace infraction
for the moment. If the man finds that
he can get out on the street in an in
toXicated condition and conduct him
self in a disorderly manner with con-
sequence no more serious than being
led home there is very little about it
to deter him from repeating the per-
Torrance. Uader such circumstances
our police department becomes a kin
dergarten for the announcement OF
crime other individuals inclined to
inebriety will. of course, note the same
conditions and feel very little re-
straint. One of the objects for arrest
and punishment is to deter the indi-
vidual and others from being guilty of
the same infraction of law. II Gou-
lette had been promptly arrested by
Savers, confined in the lookup and
compelled to pay fine he would De
less likely to get drunk again. IL the
fact that his arrest and punishment
were known 1t would deter others
from intoxication or at least from dis
orderly conduct in the public streets.
There Is another consideration.
Long years ago, l remember kindly
old gentleman, native or france,
who was for time a resident of our
community. For the most part he was
as worthy citizen as one could pos
sibly wish. Once or twice a year,
however. he would go on spree ana
when he did, his degradation was COM
plete. On one of these occasions he
was at the depot wildly drunk and at
tempted to board the afternoon train.
He was prevented from doing so and
an officer who stood nearby was re-
ouested to take him into custody. In
stead he advised the old gentleman to
go home and he promised to do 80. lie
did not however. and few hours lat-
err got in the way of an incoming train
receiving fatal injuries. The point
here Is that the man needed to be TAX
en- care Of, not only on account or tne
public and for the deterrent influence
which would follow his arrest, but for
his own protection. If man promises
to go home he may not do 80 and II ne
does go Is quite apt to return. In
view of the history above given and
of the present circumstances, / think
the police officers ought to be instruct
cd to arrest every intoxicated disturb
err Of the peace with the possible ex'
ception that first offenders should be
shown some leniency If such instruc-
lions were issued and acted upon the
annoying and disgraceful incidence OF
Sunday evening, November Fl, would
be very seldom repeated.
I understand the officers state as
part of their defense that frequently
when they do make arrests for intoxi'
cation the men thus apprehended are
so promptly granted bail and re-
leased that the arrest amounts &c
nothing. There seems to be little
justification for this statement. The
records of Bail Commissioner George
w. Cover indicate that he has grant
ed bail in cases of intoxication just
twice in the past nse,years. Bail Com
missioner L. L. Walton thinks he may
have approved of the release on bal
of parties arrested for intoxicatior
four or FIVE times In the last year. In
most of these few instances however
1t has been on Saturday afternoon OF
evening whom the accused would have
otherwise had to pass Sunday In the
lookup.
With reference to the Sayers incl
dent, 1t should be said that the dis
turbancs was - fragrant and Oxen
u sive and his knowledge OF IL was %
Intimate that he had NO excuse what
- ~.sA