The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-12-04
THE CASE OF MR.. BAILLIE.

We are unalterab1y opposed TO LIE atCehip
to try law suits or criminal cases IN a news
paper, but just the same we feel strongly ina
every possible public sentiment in Illinois am
Wisconsin, in Zion and Kenosha should be ar
reused to have police officer Baltic OF Zlol
brought to Kenosha to stand trial for the W1lfu
and useless destruction of property.
1t is difficult for us to see just what KIND O.
an attitude the officials of Zion are taking II
this case. Baillie is member of the police
force of Zion and the euncontested statements
in regard to him, show that early one morning
he deliberately stood in the middle OF WIS
consin highway and like small boy playing
at "Wild West shot holes in the tires of al
automobile belonging to Wisconsin citizen
It is admitted that the Wisconsin citizen may
have violated the ordinances of Zion. 1t Il
also clearly shown that the man wanted by
BaiIlie was unarnned and that Baltic was arm
ed That Baltic was strong enough to carry
out any rightful legal process he might hav
desired to carry out.
We are not at present concerned with thu
offense of the Wisconsin citizen, but we arr
concerned over the public offense of Baltic
and we are concerned over the attitude of off
Gals of Zion who are supposed to believe il
the regular and normal enforcement of thu
law
Kenosha officially may not have as higl
ideals as Zion The police office here is no
opened with prayer in the morning; some O.
the police officers chew tobacco, most of then
smoke and probably majority Of them cuss-
but Just the same-had Kenosha police Of
ficer gone out on a road and shot up an auto
mobile after the owner of it was out of the ca
and facing arrest, his star would have dropped
as soon as he reached the office and the Keno
sha police department would have given to tn
department of any other city seeking such al
indiscreet and imprudent officer every pos
sible aid to have him prosecuted to his full
deserts
Just why the police department of Ziol
and BaiIlie fear trial in Kenosha county il
not apparent. Certainly Zion has always beer
shown every courtesy in Kenosha. Certainl,
Chief Becker and his men know that defend
ant will get justice in this state and in thi
county.
If this man has not been guilty of an offenst
against the law and especially an offens
against the common sense of any official Of thu
law, he should not hesitate to come to Keno
sha and make his defense If he has foolshl,
made the Zion department. look like band o
boys the department should insist that HI
come to Kenosha and take his medicine.
The man who drives an automobile has som
rights. 1t is admitted he has no rights to en-
Z danger the lives of others and there is M
claim that this particular man did this Their
is no claim that he was intoxicated or that h,
was driving recklessly. The Zion officia
sought to fool him by masquerading with al
automobile which might have been driven by
any ordinary citizen. The Wisconsin MAJ
should have stopped and the record seems t,
show that he did stop as soon as he found tn,
man following him-chasing him-had any au
thority to stop him.
Enforcement of the law does not imply tn,
ruthless destruction of property or the ruth
less invasion of the right of citizen. This
should be true on the edges of Wisconsin ant
in Zion the same as it is true in Kenosha AM
in other portions of Illinois.
Baillie played the fool and he should pay tn,
penalty of his foolishness no matter what kline
of star he may wear. The man who wears
the star of authority is not expected to be
fool or a fanatic. The law does not ask tina
he be a, reckless crusader but rather that h
be fearless and prudent man seeking to en-
force the law rather than to reek persona
vengeance
1t is to be hoped that the officials at Ziol
will promptly show willingness to ceas
shielding this boob and see to it that he i
promptly turned over to Kenosha county off
Gals for a fair and impartial trial
Zion can do as it pleases with the Wisconsin
citizens, and it can go about doing this witt
the assurance that Kenosha officials will in n
way seek to block Zion taking the full penalt
for any infringement of the law which it ca,
prove in regular court of justice
THEM WHAT HAS GETS"
T