St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-11-19
The DEAL IS A GO.
Baker, Baxter and Guile Have
Formed a Police Combi-
nation.
Helm to Be Reduced to a Cap
tain and Ray to Take His
Place.
Jim Smith, the Inspector Of
the Pillsbury Regime, to
Succeed Ray.
Inspector Hankinson Also
Marked as a Victim and
Must Go.

The police force of Minneapolis is in
sadly demoralized- condition just at
present. This is one of the beauties of
the police commission system. 1t is a
fact that nevensince the old ladies OF
Minneapolis introduced this piece OF
political vengeance has the force been
in that serene and dutiful mood neces-
sary to perfect discipline and good re-
suits. There have been too many
changes, and every meeting of the COM
mission has been by even the
best officers with vague fear and
trembling. There are five commission
ers, each of them with friends 10 reward
and enemies to punish and Influence"
counts for more than fidelity and capa-
bility. Just at this juncture, the force
is in an unusually troubled mood, as the
result of an article in the SUNDAY
GLOBE. 1t was rumored Saturday
night that a combination had been
made by Commissioners Baker, BaX-
ter and Guile, by which certain
important changes in the force
were to be made at the meeting to-day.
The principal one was the deposit ion OF
Supt Helm to a captaincy and the ele-
Walton of License Inspector Ray to his
place. This came as 4 thunderbOlJ to
most of the force, though it had leaked
out and was known to few. 1t was
conversed in police circles yesterday.
and dozens of little caucuSeS were held
in all parts of the city. An OminouS calm
brooded over the headquarters last
night. Assistant Superintendent Hoy
was in command, and declined to talk
at all. though it was supposed he was in
possession of considerable information:
in fact. none of the officials could be
made to open their mouths. Mayor"
Baker was asked last night If he had
heard Of the runOr.
Il heard Saturday that Ames and
Hoy intended making such move.' he
said, ''It was reported they were going
to reduce Helm and make Ray superin-
tendent."
us there anything in it?'
III don't know"
"But it is reported you and Baxter
and Guile have formed combination
for that purpose. Is it true?"
81 have nothing to say"
1t was fortunate, however, that others
were communicative and the GLOBE re-
ceived full confirmation of the rumor.
The story, not in the language of the in
formant, is as follows: The police COM
mission will meet to-day and will
prefer charges of incompetency against
Supt Helm. For this purpose Baker.
Baxter and Guile have combined, as
three votes are necessary to reduce OF
elevate an officer. The charge will be
sustained, and Helm will be reduced to
the rank of captain. Enoch Ray, the
present license inspector, will be given
his place. The commission will then
tackle James HankinsOn, captain of
inspectors, and a charge of incompet-
ency will be filed against him and he will
be removed from the force. This will
required four votes, and it is said Mike
Hey is a provisional parted to the agree
ment to that extent, or that failing in
this vote, he will be reduced to a patrol
man. Who is booked for HanKinson's
post has not been developed. The sur
to filling the vacancy in the post of
license Inspector, and the surprise
party is in the fact that JamesJ. Smith.
the famous saloon terror of the Pillsbury
regime, is set down as the coming
man. The story goes that Smith went
to the Pillsburys for backing and got it.
Through their influence, Mike Hoy was
brought over to support Smith and give
him the four votes necessary to an cleo
ton, as he is not now member of the
force. 1t is said a prominent Repub-
lican alderman and Grand army man
is taking quite hand in this matter, and
that from him, in an indirect way, most
of the information comes.
Supt. Helm, OF course, knows of this
scheme or of as much of it as relates to
himself. He was not on duty last night,
but close friend says: Helm has
heard of this and intends to block it.
He is an old soldier and Guile is an old
soldier, and they will fix it up for Jake
all right enough" But the alder
man referred to says this will
not go; that the old soldier racket will
work just so far. but no further. There
has been decidedly too much old soldier
in the campaign, and now that it is
over we'll let the war go for awhile"
This is the situation, and unless a
change takes place this morning the po
lice upheaval may be expected to-day.