Year: 1870

The Morehouse Conservative, whose edi


tor. j. T. Dawes, Esq, is a consistent


earnest and able supporter of all measure


which he deems calculated to promote th


interests of the State, has in the last mum


Der fair analysis of the constabulary Law


enacted by the last Legislature. It


eminently proper for the press to discus


freely all acts of public men, and especial,


the laws passed for the general welfare. Tn,


defects, if any, may be pointed cut and tn,
probable consequences foreshadowed, with


out laying the editor amenable to the charge
Bipartisan bias But general and whole


sale denunciation, based upon mistate-


ments and illogical deductions, merely


excite the passions of the unrefecting null
titude and defeat the good that might ma
! turaliy result from legislation. It is no,
| expected that everybody shall approve all
| parts of the general laws enacted from time
to time for the public safety, but the
obnoxious sections should be discussed in a
reasonable and candid manner worthy of an
American citizen giving counsel to his
couutrymen. The views of such men,
whether they accord with our own or not,
command respect and are sure to have a
beneficial effect. In this connection we
commend the remarks of the Conservative
upon the constabu,ary law:


In the first place, its whole object osten-
siblv is to provide for the arrest and punish.
ment OF criminals; to secure the enforce
ment of law; to preserve peace and order
No one can object to this. The man who
does not desire order and peace preserved,
is not good man, and his opinion should
have no weight.


We dislike very much to see too much
power placed in the hands Of any one man,
however good or however bad he may be.
In this law, though it increases the patron
age, and therefore the power of Governor
Warmoth, yet it limits him in it's practical
application. 1t provides that the Governor
shall not appoint chief constable to any
parish except there is an actual necessity.
The sheriff, or q number of good citizens
must inform him of such necessity, or pc.
tition him to make such appointment before
he can exercise this prerogative.


Again, it is economical It provides for
the payment of soch chief constable only
four dollars per day in parish scrip and
that for actual service, certified to by the
Parish Judge, and approved by the Cover.
nor. 1t relieves the Sheriff of that part Of
his office relating to criminal processes, and
so would save to this parish $500 per year.
the amount assessed by the Police Jury to
the Sheriff for this work. And besides, as
it is the duty of such chief constable to
prosecute such offenders after arrest, before
the proper tribunal, it saves to the parish,
not only the $500 Sheriff7s fees, but also the
extra fees of q parish, or sub District At,or. |
ney. So, upon the whole. so far as the cost
is concerned, it is more economical than the
present system.


Again, it is safe and not liable to be
abused, for chief constable can arrest
only on legal warrants, and possessing only |
the sane authority of Sheriff or other !
peace officer in quelling disturbances, etc. |


1t is expeditions, for the chief constable |
has no civil business on hand, and his sole |
business is to arrest and bring to trial men |
who are seriously criminal. He is selected |
Tor his special qualifications for the work
is commissioned to do this alone. His paw |
depends alone upon the work done. 80 that |
le does not receive pay whether his Office |
8 executed or not. This will drive him to |
lis duty, if higher obligation does not.


The Sheriff of a parish may be specially |
chief constable. SO that if !
! parish has an efficient Sheriff-one who is
prompt to act, to make arrests and execute
lis otfice-tkere will be no need for the
york of the Sheriff proper being taken out
# his hands.


Thus far, and farther, looking at the law
q it stands alone, as separated from others,
zone can object to it.