The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-06-20
Our Police.

reduction of the Police Force, and the mat
ter has been thoroughly discussed and can
vassed by the public, and commented on by
the press. The opinion most generally ex-
pressed seems to be that the force now on
duty is insufficient to guard the extended
area of our city. There are but twelve po-
liceman now on duty, to protect and preserve
order in city of from ten to twelve thou
sand inhabitants, and scattered over pretty
large district. That this is rather feeble
force, the example of other cities will attest,
as we'll as the experience of most of our citi-
zens. Our city has not grown suddenly SO
moral and orderly that reduction of its pro-
tective force was necessary. We had better
have too many than too few, for, our city
constantly increasing in numbers, will in
crease in the same or even greater ratio, in
that class Of persons against whom the Pc
lice is especially to protect us. 1t is even
said by the press of other cities, that crimi-
nails and the SreN mob driven from other
cities, are rushing to St. Paul as safe refuge
from law, and an excellent field for their pro-
fession. Be this true, or partly true, even,
it shows how necessary that we have police
force Of sufficient strength, and compose Of
the right sort of men, to protect our citizens
from the crimes and violence of the lawless,
and ensure feeling of safety and reliance
in them. At present this does not seem to
be so. A sense of insecurity and apprehen-
sion appears to be prevalent.
We cannot wonder at this, until the whole
character of the department is changed. Be-
sides some three or four officers who are So
Der, reliable and experienced men, the re-
mainder of the force if paraded together
would excite a smile of derision. No man
should to be employed or retained on the
force, except those who can command respect
in the discharge of their duties-understand
their place-incorruptible and fearless-and
above all, men who will not spend half their
time in running up scores for bad whisky in
low pot-houses Then our citizens will not
again witness the humiliating spectacle of
officers of certain nationality refusing to ar
rest their countrymen. We have spoken
plain enough to be understood, without the
use of proper names. No man ought to be
employed on our police who has any national
sympathies Nth any class to interfere with his
duty. The hot-headed, unrehecting, frivo-
lous, and hasty tempered men of this class
are unsuited for the position of policeman
anyhow. 1t requires cool, intelligent, sober,
firm and unbiased men. That such can be
found to serve we are we'll assured and sOih
such, the number now on duty would come
nearer fulfilling the wants of the city than a
score of inefficient and inexperienced men.
According to the St. Paul papers that must ba nice
place for decent well disposed citizens to live in. MUIR
ders drownngs and riots appear to be the order of the
day and night too. Honest voters driven from
the polls, and half as many Illegal votes poled
there legal votes in the city Drunken rowdies get
into fight and when the police interfere they pun
meled with rocks and brckbats and ARE compelled in
broad daylight shoot down their fellow citizens
their own lives. Officers of steamers, who visit the city
on business compelled to fee in small boat down
the Mississippi their lives at the hands Of the
citizens of The model city, and when city officer inter-
feres which he do only at the risk of his life the
papers make much ado it as though the like had
never been known before.-Conntry Exchange.
With well regulated force CT the right
kind of men, such an impression of our city
would never go abroad. Let us have none
but the best officers, and enough of them
A few instances of prompt and fearless dis
charge of their duty will check much future
crime and disorder; no man of any nation
will do as he please then, because one of his
own nation is on watch, and won't arrest
him, but evil doors will meet with their due
punishment.
We have no disposition to be severe on
our present department, or needlessly CEN
sure any of its members. But these are
things of Importance and interest to every
citizen, and in common with a majority OF
them, we may express hope for some refor
nation among our police.