The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1920-01-31

hind the move To abolish the state
constabulary is evidenced in the bob
ing up OF the question here and thore
all over the state. County boards OF
supervisors have gone on record as
opposed to the retention OF The state
police In several OF the counties and
in Iron county there was considerable
opposition TO the state police evidenc-
ed recently but not enough to carry a
recommendation for its abolition.
The question has two sides. The
state police have their short comings
the same as other police officers.
There have been Instances in which
they used bad judgement. However.
the experiment is new one and Il
takes time to get any machinery work
ing smoothly.
Undoubtedly the greatest opposition
to the police--the opposition that has
real influence behind it--comes from
the sheriff forces OF the different
counties In which the police and the
county forces have differed. This OPP
position Is bred in jealousy and IL run
to it's source, has little solid founda-
dation.
The state police, II continued. should
have their duties so well marked out
that there will be no crossing OF
wires between the local and the state
police. Some such plan is necessary
IL this opposition Is to be done away
with. The state police should deal
only with the enforcement OF the laws
left to II by the state and the protec-
ton OF localities from riot.
There is some talk OF the cost OF
maintaining the police" but all
arguments from that source melt
away when one compares the cost OF
the state police with the cost of mob |
liking the militia. II cost the state
100000 TO send the militia to the cop
per country. 1t cost many thousands |
Of dollars to send the militia to the
Marquette range at the time OF the
strike there years ago. The filing OF
suits against the city of Chicago be-
cause OF damage resulting from the
race riots there o year ago show fig
ares that would maintain state
orce long time. No. the cost argu-
nent isn't very strong one.
On the other side OF the question
here are many arguments In favor of
ne state police. and the chief reason
or its continuance is the character
Il the opposition that It encounters
Ion. Coleman C. Vaughn sums this
lp best in his paper. the Clinton
county Est. Johns) Republican when
e says
who are against the constabulary? +,
n this state the l. w W. and reds:
he booze runners: the bank robbers:
he people who 20 out and raid the
armers' orchards. chicken coops. etc a
organized labor opposed a constabul-
~ when we had no state troops az
n. probably on the theroy that they
rould be against strikes. But the
plays, no favorites, and G
MY insists IN people oheying the law
nd refrain from violence. That is
easonable position 20 take, and any
ne who favors violence and the de- {
truGion OF property to win a dispute
not entitled 20 the sympathy OF the
ublic." Il
Not all opponents OF the state con
tabulary can be classed under the ;
bove heads. Many are lead 10 OPP 9
ose them because OF subtle argu-
rents put out by those classes emu y
lerated. for they are the ones princi-
ally concerned in having the state :
olice wiped out
one other reason for the continuing !
( the police is that Il will relieve the .
liiitia OF the opprobium so often
urled at its members because they :
re used in times Of strikes TO main {
,in order. This alone is worth keep
az the state police TO the young men
tho enlist in our state guard. We all
ope 10 see the guard revived and II Z
he young men are relieved OF the nee
ssity for doing police duty which I
rings them into disrepute. they will a
Mist more freely and take more pride
/ the state militia.
The opponents OF the state police
re very busy and the Issue is certain c
, be MP before the next legislature g
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