St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-05-12
THE RUSSIAN POLICE.


1Aroe 6yet0ms 0f Espl0nog0 O1eocto4 ~
N UsscrsDsloss Chief
There ars three separate and distinct
systems Of police. each Of which il
independent Of the other. and has a
different chief. but all aro directed by
ono head. the mighty Grcsser
The first system is the ordinary force
Of patrolmen, such rs is found in all
cities Tor the prevention and de,ec-
ton Of ordinary crime. 1t IS composed
of veteran soldiers. who wear the mill
tary uniform and wear sabers in the
streets instead Of clubs.
The second. or gcndarmcric. Is q
large body Of special agents scattered
all over the empire. one or two in
every town. who are superior to the
regular police. and are authorized to
call upon them at any time to make
arrests. or to assist in Investigations.
They are we'll known to the public.
wear . distinguishing uniform. aud
their business is to detect aud investl-
gate frauds upon the revenue. to pre-
vent and detect official dishonesty. and
to look after the proper administration
Of the several Offices This system
was first organized by the Emperor
Nicholas early in the century.
It was reported 10 him that there
was large amount Of corruption in
the different provinces. and calling
his Procurator-General he said that
he would hang every official who stole
the value OF piece Of rope.
Then your Majesty will not be able
to fill your Offices" replied the Pro.
curator General. but Nicholas thought
he would Try. So selecting tho best
men hc could find. he sent them
throughout tho empire rs spies upon
his officials From this beginning the
system has become permanent These
special agents are known as the polit-
ical police.
Then comes the hated and hateful
''third section" tho spies. who exist
in every branch of the social political
and commercial world. are unknown
to the public and to each other. They
are every where, and number thou
sands Women in the highest society.
neblcs princes lawyers. clerks in
mercantile houses workmcn in the
factories. walters at the hotels and
cafes. barmails. drosky drivers. ped.
dlcrs c0urte sans house servants; no
one knows who A mans wife. or
son. or valet. may be in tho pay Of the
police; perhaps it is his brother
or sister. Every body in r ussia is sus-
pectcd Of belonging to tho much-fear-
ed 'rhird section" but no one would
dare confess that he il spy. These
people arc not paid salaries but are
given such sums of money rs tho
police authorities think thcy have
earned
Tho Russian Government has tho
most extensive and skillful spy sys en-
in the world. All tho capitals Of Eu-
rope arc full Of its secret agents Tho
system is SO complete that there is
SC arccly person In S.. Petersburg or
Moscow. or any Of tho larger cities.
who does not feel that he is constant
" under the espionage Of some branch
Of the police. and tho people arc
n naturally very cautioua A single
word from spy may send them to
prison. q secret denuncialion may
transport them TO Siberia Tho in.
arc always secret and
The accused can not confront his &C
cuser. he can not have the benefit Of
legal counsel nor communicate with
his friends unless the police have somo
motive for permitting him TO do ~
". E. Curtis. IN Chicago Hesoa