Tumblety's Candidature

IS HE "JACK THE RIPPER?"

New York Police Keeping Sight of an Erratic American.

NEW YORK, Dec. 4. - Dr. Francis Tumblety, an erratic American who was suspected by the London authorities of being implicated in the Whitechapel atrocities and who suddenly disappeared from England, arrived in the city Sunday from Havre on the French Line steamer La Bretagne. The detectives were awaiting the arrival of the steamer at the pier, and though he had travelled under an assumed name, his identity was discovered. He was permitted to land without any interference and was traced to a boarding house on West street, where he is now domiciled. As there is no charge or indictment against Dr. Tumblety for any criminal offence he will not be arrested. Detectives will keep him under surveillance for several days to come, so as to be able to reach him in case he is wanted.

Source: The Eldora Weekly Ledger, Thursday December 6, 1888, Page 6

A few problems with Tumblety's candidature as JTR:

1. Police do not report any of their covert surveillance details in the newspapers.
2. If the police on either side of the Atlantic seriously felt that Tumblety was Jack the Ripper, he would not have even been allowed to leave the country of England or enter America.
3. The police are only going to keep the Ripper under surveillance for a few days? Why is that? So that they can then escort him to some other hideaway?
4. Keeping him at close range so as to be able to reach him? What for? He is not under arrest nor was he indicted in any crime? It sounds like a French "steamer" alright?

Would it not be more apropos, given the other events that were taking place in England at the time of the Ripper murders, vis a vis the Parnell inquiry, that this may have more to do with Tumblety's quick departure in the night, coupled with his then subsequent police escort in America?