St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-20
MAYOR AMEs RETURNS.
He Pays His Compl. ments TO Messrs.
NettieIOh and Bell.

Mayor AmeS returned from his Eastern
trip at an early hour yesterday morning,
and was found industriously employed i'll
an attempt to catch up with his correspond
ence in the afternoon when a GLOBE re-
porter tackled him for an interview.
The mayor delivered himself as follows:
...I had a very pleasant trip, but not as ex-
tensive one as | anticipated. l expected TO
visit number of Eastern cities for the pur-
pose of inspecting their systems of water
works. but as the other members of the water
board did not join me, 1 curtailed my inspec-
ton and confined my visits to Washington,
New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Balti-
more. l feel confident that the exposition of
the three Americas in 1892 is going
to be tremendous success. L was
presiding officer, because Of the
absence of the chairman OF the COM
mittee. l appointed committee, consisting
of one each from the various states repre-
scented, which will wait upon congress for
suitable appropriation and endeavor TO work
up local interest. The representatives from
Central and South America were present and
assured US of hearty cooperation. think
we will show the world that a republic is the
only successful form OF government"
Were the reported interviews of the New
York Sun with you cOrrectY'
mo. do not think saw Il reporter while 1
was absent. 1 certainly have not
test, as reported. 1 believe that
l was fairly elected governor Of the state, and
that will yet take the chair il fair count
is had.
what do 1 think of the proposed police
commission? Well, do not oppose it pro-
vided that it is made elective. The only
point I make is that the people, and not i
handful of self-constituted bosses should
govern the city. l looked into the police
commissioner question quite thoroughly
while l was East. / find that it has failed to
give satisfaction. A high Official of New
York assured me that there was no easier nor
shorter road to corruption, and, in proof
pointed to the fact that certain police Cap
tains and others have suddenly become worth
several hundreds of thousands OF d ldrs.
The scheme of the sO-called non-partlZan
organization, composed of men who dub
themselves members of the board OF trade
is quite transparent. 1t is simply plan to
place d. G. Bell and A. b. Nettleton, men
whom would not think of allowing to cross
the threshold of my home, nor to be intro
duced to members OF my family, in charge Of
the gamblers, prostitutes and law-breakers
of the city. Tnar's all the is to it. Mind
l don't object. In fact it would relieve me
of the most disagreeable duties of the
Office of ma or. What l object to is that
certain men who could Tot be elected
to the Office of poundmaster should
be appointed to run the police force
of the city in defiance of the will of
the people. The entire scheme is
both dangerous and undemocratic, and am
opposed to it for this reason. I'll agree TO
any plan by which commission can be pro-
Yided by election. Any way to allow tae
people to select their servants suits me. In
one of the cities which 1 have mentioned |
find that the police commission amounts
practically to appointing three mayors. Each
commissioner takes his turn in making APP
pointments and the others acquiese. Nettle-
toms little scheme is unfair, and any honest
man who will look at 1t for one minute cannot
arrive at any other conclusion.