Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 109, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1909 — Objects To Our Liberality; Porter County Has a Kick. [ARTICLE]

Objects To Our Liberality; Porter County Has a Kick.

The Valparaiso Messenger objects to our near-criminals being turned loose and chased over to Valparaiso, comes back with the following comment:

According to the Rensselaer Republican, Harry McAlpin, the DeMotte barber, who attempted to rape a five-year-old girl, has been turned loose by the DeMotte authorities without action of the circuit court and ordered to leave that town, never to come back. The Republican says: “As he had not accomplished his purpose, it was thought best not to go to the trouble of prosecution.” The Messenger believes that the action taken by the DeMotte people is an outrage on society. The precious Harry, twice charged with this crime, is turned loose on the public, ready for more victims. He has been ordered out of town; so DeMotte girls are safe. What matters it if he comes to Valparaiso or some other town and repeats the offense? Why, it matters nothing to DeMotte people, who are rid of him. They could not go to the trouble to prosecute him, you know. Can’t people in other places watch their girls and keep them in the house? Certainly. The cheapest way to deal with all offenders in to order them out of town, shoo them away like chickens that have got into one’s garden. But is it effective? To answer the question would be to insult the intelligence of the people.