The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-10-24
THE RUSSIAN POLICE.


Of all grades are notorious, both at
home and abroad, for barefaced impo-
sition and scarcely concealed extortion.
Their malpraetices, as well as those of
officials in general, are dwelt upon by
every unprciudiced writer on Russian |
interior policy, and have been faithful
~ exposed by Goyolin hissatirical COM
edy, 'sThe Inspector-General," in
which he describes the CONSERVATION
among the corrupt officials of prov
incial town caused by the unexpected
advent of the inspector. While indulg-
ingin mutual determinations concerning
past misdeeds, which in short time
must become known to the authorities,
o shrewd person evinces his apprecia-
ton of the situation by saying
to the chief delinquent: You steal
too much for your place" The
whole secret of success in
the police is based upon the idea SO
happily put in words by the eminent
satirist. Provided police agent knows
lust where to stop, ana does not ''steal
too much for his place. his superiors
wink at his venality, while the general
public find it to their advantage to pay
the blackmail without protest. To re-
fuse is to incur the enmity of the whole
fraternity, and sooner or later would
inevitably be attended with disaster, as
the Russian police have happy knack
OF manufacturing cases by the side OF
which the occasional 'plants" perpe-
trated by our black sheep of the force
fade into utter insigni6cance. A glar-
ing example of such conduct has just
been brought to light at Warsaw, re-
sulting in the Punishment of secret
police agent for preferrlng a totally
unfounded charge Of Socialism against
Dr.. Herring. Although in tn s instance
the culprit was brought to justice, it is
worthy of note that the unfortunate
victim has been subjected to his extor-
tions, and In constant terror, for three
years. Numerous cases have occurred
that have never been made public
through want of means or influence on
the part Of those oppressed by the po-
lice.
The Russian police force is divided
into two distinct classes-the political,
or secret police, and the civil or mu-
nicipal police. The former division
pervades every class oil society, and is
most powerful instrument of oppres-
sion in the hands of an INSCRIPTIONS
minister Throughout the whole of
the colossal Russian Empire and in
various foreign capitals its agents are
to be found, while the most tr,fling oc-
currences capable OF bearing political
construction, or misconstruction. are
Immediately reported on to headquar-
ters. As these agents are not always
known to each other, amusing mis-
takes are made, and sometimes high
police functionary is astonished 10 find
a detailed account of his movements
awaiting his return to official duties
from short pleasure trip in the prov
inces or abroad. Secret agents are
met within fashionable drawing-rooms.
in shops. and theaters, and in servants
livery In each case their motive is
the same--to gain confidence in order
to betray. of course as in every other
calling. there are honorable men in the
Russian secret police, who would scorn
to willingly do base action; but the
nature of their profession, and the
methods pursued in tracking political
criminals, inevitably tend to blunt the
finer sentiments, and cause all means
to DO regarded as fair provided the de.
sired goal be reached.
The civic or mum ipal police Ia so
sally and intellectually very far below
the political division. Being drawn
principally from the lower classes,
only q very small proportion can read OIL
write. Add to this the astounding su.
perstition inherent to the Russian ma
lure, and it Is by no means surprising
that the mistakes of the civil polio,
agents are, except 60 those personally
concerned, of laughable character
Thus. Mr.. Hare was arrested anC
compelled to tramp all the way to The
station. simply because the policeman
could not read his passport DIR
Lansdell was similarly treated ant
subjected to no little indign ty TO
'stributing religious tracts. The in
telligent officer being totally unable
TO read few simple words in hi
mother tongue, at once arrived a
the conclusion that the suspicious
looking papers were Nihilistic pro
CARNATIONS. Such incidents are by nj
means rare in the experience of for
oign travellers in Russia; the above ex
amples OF police stupidity are quote,
because they are the latest witt
which the public has been mad
acquainted. A more importan
matter, however, Is the com
placency with which the Russian civ
police indulge in indiscrim'nate arres
on the gravest charges. No one dare
Olfer aid to diving man, or to one SUP
posed to be dying. in the street, as til
policeman almost invariably arrests tn
nearest person on charge of murder
This Is not done from any desire {
maintain the dignity of tho law, but i
order to extort money from the accused
Should a capital charge not be pr,
IeTred against the bystanders. the pC
lee have power to compel their attenC
Ance daily at court for an indefinii
period, to avoid which Inconvenience
considerable sums are often pad
persons who have the m sfortnne to
found near dead body. Shtchedri
once wrote as squib that an enterpri
Ing rural policeman would find dea
body mine of wealth. He could tai
it to village. and threaten the iuhah
tants with charge of murder unless
certain sum was collected, and handt
over to him. Having received Il
money, he could pass ON to the ne