WHAT IS A CIVILIAN ?

Evening Post, Issue 142, 22 July 1865, Page 2

WHAT IS A CIVILIAN ?

Samuel Raymond and Charles Arnold, two young. fellows, about seventeen years of age, were charged with breaking and entering a stable in Sutton-gardens, Islington, for the purpose of committing a felony. The evidence was very clear, as the prisoners and a companion were seen to enter the yard in which the stables were, break open the door, and then go into the stables where they were captured. Police-constable John Devane, 170, was called, and the prisoners were given into his custody but the companion of the prisoners made his escape, notwithstanding that the policeman called upon a civilian to assist him. Mr. Barker (to the constable) ; Tou called upon what to assist you ? Constable : A civilian, sir. Mr. Barker : You mean a private individual ? Constable : Yes, a civilian. Mr. Barker : A civilian ! Why, what are you ? Constable : I am a police-officer, Mr. Barker : You said you called upon a civilian to assist you. Do you belong either to the army, or the navy that you should say so ? Constable : No sir.; but 1 did call on a civilian to assist me. Mr. Barker ; There, man, do not talk such rubbish. You are as much a civilian as the person you called on to assist you, and you should not use such a term when giving your evidence. It is not the first time that I have had to mention this, and the police should be told that they do not belong to nor form part of the army or navy, and that it is highly improper to speak of the public as civilians. The prisoners, in answer to the charge, said they had only gone into the stables to sleep : but it was stated that they had, when apprehended, a candle, some matches, and other things such as are used by well-known and practised thieves. Mr. Barker sentenced eacli of the prisoners to three months' imprisonment in the House of Correction, with hard labour.