St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-15
LECTURE DAX.
The Police Department Given Words
of Advice and Gently Chided.

It is a time-honored custom in Mime
apoIis to read an annual lecture to the
guardians of the city, and it was yester-
day, May IA, A. d. 1885, that Mayor Pills
bury observed it. 1t was beautiful day,
the sun shone in respondent glory, and
all nature seemed eXtravagantly gorgeous,
as if in recognition of the important event
and in approval of its proper observance.
The mayor made formal and Studious prep
arations. He rose early and leisurely dis
patched modest breakfast, ordered out
his stylish turnout for drive on the boule-
wards and parkways Tin embryo). After
a dinner fit for the Olympian gods, he at
tended a meeting of the water board. So
the ordinary affairs of this work-a-day
world must not be ignored even on so mo-
mentuous occasion as that which the pro-
gram said should end the official acts of the
day. 1t was nearly o'clock when each
and every member of the police
department had taken seats in the
municipal court. and each looked his
prettiest. Presently whisper ran through
the assemblage, ''Behold he comes" and
every eye was turned eagerly and admir-
ingly upon the stately and manly form OF
the mayor who walked slowly and digni-
fedly to the bench, where he gracefully
seated himself. All was as still as grim
death until the mayor cleared his throat and
arose with beaming smile Illuminating his
mobile cOuntenance. Gentleman OF the
police force" he said in clear,
stentorian tones, and the boys in
blue came to a salute. Here was I'M
rolled manuscript document, revealing
the neat and systematic chirography of the
mayors private secretary, and with costly
spectacles scrupulOusly adjusted upon his
honors perfectly chiseled Grecian nose, the
: lecture began. The auditors listened with
oreathless interest as passage after passage
was Fecited with dramatic effect. Although,
as q whole the chief executive esteemed the
department. which had the unmitigated
pleasure of drinking in the eloquent and
eaphOniOuS words of advice, of caution and
of admOnition. efficient and exceptionally
well disciplined, yet he felt impelled to
impart the unpleasant information that
his sensitive ears had been saluted with
complaints that evils existed upon the pa
trolls of certain officers, who silently looked
upon the irregularities. This, in the future,
be said, would be equivalent to dismissal.
The willy saloon keeper would now and
again forget to close his back door of a
Sunday afternoon. The patrolman is sup
, posed to know what is going on inside sa-
looms, and to report every sign of mortal
life on the Sabbath. He should furthermore,
positivelyknow the haunts and rendezvous OF
the oportiye gamesters who venture a dime
on the turn of the pasteboard They, too,
should be reported. The lecturer also re-
minded his charge that ''clubs are not
trumps''in this city. Any officer WHO'S to free
with the billy, will be given opportunity to
resume his former vocation. ''You must
never forget that you are gentlemen and al
ways treat a prisoner with urbanity.'
Lettering upon street corners, at the sta
tons or other places, was positively pro-
hibited. If an officer is found with the
Havana in his mouth when on duty he
will be guilty of an objectionable offense.
The sound of the mayors voice had
scarcely died away in sweet cadence when
the force arose and departed. and many
were the explanations of commentator OF
the lecture. They looked grave and
thoughtful, and after roll-eall at the head
quarters they left for their respective beats,
wiser and better men,