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Letter to Editor
November 13, 1881
The Daily Astorian
Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon
What is this article about?
In a letter to the Editor of the Daily Astorian, B. R. Marion criticizes the Astoria police force for inefficiency, dishonesty, and misconduct, referencing a prior letter by 'Citizen.' He questions whether taxpayers should pay officers who violate laws, and urges the city council to exercise authority over them.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A CARD.
ASTORIA, Nov. 12th, 1881.
EDITOR DAILY ASTORIAN:
Is it one of the mortal sins to criticize the conduct of members of the police force of this city, to doubt their efficiency, to question their honesty, or to hint that their chastity is not, like that of Caesar's wife, above suspicion? One would think so, from the conduct of members of that force, since the communication which appeared in The Daily Astorian of Sunday, October 30th, 1881, signed by "Citizen."
"It seems to me as if they would like to have the lines of Burns transposed a little, to suit their notions of their merit and importance. In a fit, probably of penitence, Burns once wrote,
"Then gently scan your brother man,
More gently sister woman."
In a fit of egotism, and with a proper spirit of deference to their own conception of their power in this community, they with one exception, would have the lines read as follows:
"Then gently scan your brother man,
More gently a policeman."
Now, Mr. Editor, I would like to ask a few questions in addition to those asked by "Citizen." Do the tax payers of this city wish to pay men for services as policemen, while they themselves are violating the laws? Are they appointed to keep and preserve the peace of the city, or to break it? Should they care for the persons and property of citizens, or should they cry "havoc and let slip the dogs of war," because a citizen tries to protect himself against their insults and abuse by having them tried in the police court? Is it one of their duties to conceal violations of law when committed by a policeman, or to threaten a citizen, because he refuses to consent to dismiss a criminal action, brought against a policeman? Do we need men who try to run elections to make their stay in office perpetual, or men who go right along trying to do their duty? Do we want men who violate the law, or those who keep it? Have citizens any rights, that policemen are bound to respect? Does the city council think that it has any authority over the police force? If it has will it exercise it? If it is not positive, will it examine the charter? Is not five dollars an exorbitant fine to place upon a policeman, for violating a city ordinance? What kind of police force have we, any how?
Yours respectfully,
B. R. MARION.
ASTORIA, Nov. 12th, 1881.
EDITOR DAILY ASTORIAN:
Is it one of the mortal sins to criticize the conduct of members of the police force of this city, to doubt their efficiency, to question their honesty, or to hint that their chastity is not, like that of Caesar's wife, above suspicion? One would think so, from the conduct of members of that force, since the communication which appeared in The Daily Astorian of Sunday, October 30th, 1881, signed by "Citizen."
"It seems to me as if they would like to have the lines of Burns transposed a little, to suit their notions of their merit and importance. In a fit, probably of penitence, Burns once wrote,
"Then gently scan your brother man,
More gently sister woman."
In a fit of egotism, and with a proper spirit of deference to their own conception of their power in this community, they with one exception, would have the lines read as follows:
"Then gently scan your brother man,
More gently a policeman."
Now, Mr. Editor, I would like to ask a few questions in addition to those asked by "Citizen." Do the tax payers of this city wish to pay men for services as policemen, while they themselves are violating the laws? Are they appointed to keep and preserve the peace of the city, or to break it? Should they care for the persons and property of citizens, or should they cry "havoc and let slip the dogs of war," because a citizen tries to protect himself against their insults and abuse by having them tried in the police court? Is it one of their duties to conceal violations of law when committed by a policeman, or to threaten a citizen, because he refuses to consent to dismiss a criminal action, brought against a policeman? Do we need men who try to run elections to make their stay in office perpetual, or men who go right along trying to do their duty? Do we want men who violate the law, or those who keep it? Have citizens any rights, that policemen are bound to respect? Does the city council think that it has any authority over the police force? If it has will it exercise it? If it is not positive, will it examine the charter? Is not five dollars an exorbitant fine to place upon a policeman, for violating a city ordinance? What kind of police force have we, any how?
Yours respectfully,
B. R. MARION.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Politics
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Police Misconduct
Astoria Police
Law Enforcement Criticism
Citizen Rights
Police Accountability
City Council Authority
What entities or persons were involved?
B. R. Marion
Editor Daily Astorian
Letter to Editor Details
Author
B. R. Marion
Recipient
Editor Daily Astorian
Main Argument
the astoria police force is inefficient, dishonest, and prone to misconduct; taxpayers should not fund officers who violate laws, and the city council must exercise authority over them to ensure they uphold their duties.
Notable Details
References Prior Letter By 'Citizen' In Daily Astorian On October 30, 1881
Paraphrases Robert Burns' Poem To Satirize Police Egotism
Questions City Charter And $5 Fine For Police Violations