The failure of the police to act when there is
nothing to act on, has brought down on them a torrent of obloquy. Mr. Matthews, the- Home Secretary, and Sir Charles Warren, the Chief Commissioner, have in particular been the objects of unmeasured vituperation. The former is accused of callous- ness in refusing to offer a reward, and the latter of ruining the police by over-drill, by too many orders, and by shifting them about till they know nothing of their districts. The Board of Works, Whitechapel District, having complained, Sir Charles Warren has taken the opportunity to explain that there has been no change in. the method of stationing the police for twenty years, and that he approves of their being so permanent as to be able to learn their districts well. He complains that the purlieus of Whitechapel are most imperfectly lighted, and desires the Board to dis- suade " unfortunate " women about Whitechapel from going into lonely places in- the dark with any persons, whether acquaintances or strangers. Sir Charles also remarks that a large force of police has been drafted into Whitechapel, but that, as every policeman has already his duty to perform, this force is only maintained there by diminishing the effective guardianship of other districts. To suppose that either of the two great officers attacked are indifferent or inert, is foolish. They may be incompetent, but they are human, and being human, must feel keenly the horrible crimes for the punishment of which they are held responsible.
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