... But whatever may be the politics, the fears, or the hardihood of the county rate payers, they must be fully sensible of the heavy burden that will fall upon them, in the event of the introduction of the gendarmerie into Hampshire. The neighbouring counties, with the exception of Wilts, are rejecting the measure—we trust that the examples in our present number will be followed, and that the Hampshire magistracy will repudiate the bill; but that they will not do so we acknowledge ourselves apprehensive, unless the suggestion of our Droxford Correspondent, in this day's paper, is acted upon, and the inhabitants of the respective divisions memorialise the magistrates against the adoption of the provisions of the act. In speaking just now of any saving being counter-balanced by the expence of increased prosecutions, we did not mean to undervalue the necessity and importance of increasing the efficiency of the police in districts where it may be required—as for instance at Petersfield—but the inhabitants should really leave off imitating the cry of the wagoner, and bestir themselves—give Mr. Meeres, or some active person like him, the control of the whole division, and a few extra men, and in three months' time there would be no more lazy appeals for Jove's assistance.
We have felt it necessary to make these remarks in consequence of observing that in the canvassing advertisements for the expected office of Chief Constable, it is assumed that the magistrates have made up their minds to the adoption of the proposed force; now as the Committee to whom the subject was referred, will not make their report till the 3rd of next month, and the advisableness of adopting that report will be taken into the deliberate consideration of the entire magistracy of the county, it is but justice to them to deny the truth of the assumption. We hold the magistracy of this county in too great respect and esteem to suppose that they would, without evidence of its necessity and utility, determine to inflict a most enormous burden upon the rate payers, and aid in an invasion of the rights and liberty of the subject.
(See also following pages:—
19-Oct-1839
19-Oct-1839
20-Jan-1840
7-May-1840
1-Mar-1841
8-Jan-1842
14-Feb-1842
12-Mar-1842)