POLICE.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 578, 26 April 1876, Page 2

POLICE.

To the Editor of the Globe. PiR, —We should be thankful that we live in a time in which we are able to write our thoughts freely, and truly thankful that we not only have a free press, but that we have editors to our various papers who through their kindness allow us to take up so much space in their valuable columns, But lam sorry that there are some who take advantage of this kindness and illuse the liberty which is allowed them. I would call your attention and that of the public through your columns to a letter which appeared in the Globe of the 12th April, signed by a “ Resident.” The writer of that letter should know that it is his duty, as far as society and the public at large are concerned, to be the means of impioving the city or locality in which he calls himself a “ Resident,” by every means in his power—first, as a citizen, by himself carrying out such rules and regulations as are issued from time to time by our City Council ; sfcondly, by calling attention, either officially or pub licly, to the infringement of them by any person or body—and thirdly by charity. Taking it for granted that the writer has taken the biam out of his own eye, he is right in bringing any infringement of the laws of the city before the public and the City Council. In doing so, it should have been his aim to remedy the evil by pointing out the law or laws which have been violated, and leave those in whose hands the well-being of the city is placed to see that the matter is inquired into, and that the ( Sender or oSenders are punished by the laws the Council have committed to them for their guidance. Instead of which, the writer, in trying to remedy the evil, has made matters worse by placing himseP under the protection of his Honour Mr .Justice Johnston, in the late sittings of the Supreme Court, in not only accusing the police of overstraining their duty, but has gone further, and has asserted that they are a public scandal and disgrace to the profession to which they belong. The police, though a strong body, are unable to resent this attack against themselves, for constables are particularly cautioned not to pay attention to any ignorant or stupid expressions of ridicule that may be made towards them, which they must feel to be beneath (heir notice, relative to matters in any way connected with the service.” It muat be remembered that mighty contests sometimes rise from trivial things, and it is to be hoped that, like his Honour Mr Justice Johnston, the writer may, after he has studied hie letter well, retract what he has said, for such assertions are certainly a means, to use the words of his Honour, “ likely to bring the police into deserved odium.” The write) cannot blame the police for the authority the cabs have of appropriating the place they do in Gloucester street, for the law says “ Any driver may wait for hire at any place then open for public amusement or for any public assemblage : Provided he wait at at the side of the street not less than fifty feet distance from a point opposite the centre of the chief entrance of such place then open as aforesaid.” Again, “Any hired driver may wait for his hirer at any convenient place which may be appointed by the hirer at the side of any street.” The law therefore being on the cabdrivers side must be altered before the nuisance can be remedied. It is a pity the writer has thought fit to touch on the subject of the “ unfortunates,” for it ij one which no legislation can remedy ; for they have to thank 1 > society at large for what they are and eVer will be, They have to thank their uafqr-

lunate parents for their neglect of them in their youth. For until mothers can be taught to know that they, far more than the fathers, influence the future conduct of their children. Until each anxious mother can be taught to know that her home is her domain, her kingdom, where she exercises entire control, that her power over the litile subj cts she rules there is absolute ; that they look up to her for everything ; that she lives again in them; |that 'they as years roll on will themselves after her manner, speech, and conduct; that her conduct is visibly repeated in them in after life; that it is through her alone they are enabled to arrive at virtue ; that where she is debased, society is debased ; where she is morally pure and enlightened, society will be proportionally elevated, Until these truths are learned and practised, the writer will have what he has referred to. “ gome women with no characters at all.” In conclusion, I am sorry the writer has so many friends with whose movements the police are so well acquainted, and whose character must be of so doubtful a nature as to require the police to watch their movements night and day, I think it would be well instead of making such sweeping assertions in his letter, if be would do bis duty, and report officially any member of the force, who he knows to be aa amatuer detective. Apologizing for the length of my letter, I am, jours, &c, AN OBSERVER.