Every one of them is known to these officers.

But arrest is useless.

A hidden and malign influence, more potent than justice, has power to protect the traffic and hold the guilty offenders harmless.

Conviction is rarely, if ever, reached.
The poor wretches, depraved and plundered through drink and policy-gambling, are driven into crime.

They rob and steal and debase themselves for money with which to buy rum and policies, and sooner or later the prison or death removes the greater number of them from their vile companions.