The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-01-10

saddle, instead OF in a belt.
The twisters form a most important
part OF policeman's outfit. With
them he can inflict the most excruci-
ating pain, and can easily 60 SO far as
to dislocate mans wrist. The most
refractory prisoner will quickly yield
when the twisters are applied. The
revolver is intended as last resort,
to be used when all other means OF de.
Tense have failed.
The police OF the other cities in this
country are armed in substantially the
same manner as those in Boston. In
several cities, however, the cane, long
since discarded here, is still in vogue.
| The New York night policemen carry
very long, heavy locust club, but the
day men carry billies like those used
here. In Chicago, since the riots, the
police have been provided with Cat
ling guns for use in suppressing SINH
lar disturbances.
Many attempts have been made to
improve on the plain wooden billy,
but they have not been received with
much favor by the police. One inven-
ton consisted Of steel spring COW
cred with heavy sole leather, which Il
was supposed would be unbrcakable,
but this has been used in but very few
cities.
The Canadian police are armed
much like our own, but they are re-
quired to wear frock coats all the
time, and TO keep them buttoned up
Like asoldier on parade. Not 50 much
regard is paid to the comfort Of the
| men as here.
In the City Of Mexico the officers
carry very large revolver and q
club like the small one with which
we are familiar here in Boston. They
also carry lanterns when on night
duty. These they set down in the
middle Of the street and then they
stand on the sidewalk and watch them.
The streets after nightfall present a
most peculiar appearance, with the
dots Of light extending their entire
length. In spite Of this strange Gus
tom, the police of the City of Mexico
form very efficient body Of men.
The London 'bobby" looks very
much like an American ''cop." He
wears helmet and q blue uniform
very much like those of q Boston
policeman, and he carries a billy, but
he calls it a truncheon. This is the
only weapon he is allowed to use.
Until recently the truncheon was a
very heavy. clumsy affair, and it was
kept in socket made of sole leather.
A little more than year ago the case
was done away with and the truncheon
is now carried in q side pocket. The
size Of the weapon, which is of hard
cocas wood, was also reduced. The
idea OF the change was probably bor-
rowed from America, and the fact that
the policemen are very much pleased
with the present form may be taken as
evidence that the officers of this coun.
try know what is needed in dealing
with criminals.
1t may not be generally known that
London is divided into two police juris.
dictions. In the city proper there is a
force of $50 men. under the authority
of the mayor and aldermen. This
force was organized in 1889. The
metropolitan police superseded the
| night watch in 1880. It covers all the
parishes within fifteen miles OF Char
ing Cross except the old city. Its
| officers are responsible to the Home
Secretary. The authorized strength
Of this force is 14.O81. and it contains
about 1900 men. The equipment OF
the two forces is almost the same. A
surprising thing is the large number
Of Irishmen among the London police,
and they are said to be the best men in
the two forces.
Whatever the majority Of Americans
may think of the work done by the
Royal Irish Constabulary, they must
admit that it is magnifcently organ
lied and trained body Of men. They
are on a military footing and live in
barracks. Their duties also partake
Of the nature Of both militia and police
men. They are often called upon ia
fight in large bodies, like soldiers.
The men on patrol duty in the country
districts are mounted. They carry
carbines.
The police on the continent OF
Europe resemble in appearance those
Of England and America but little.
They are organized and armed like
soldiers. In Paris the guardians oil
the peace, or municipal police, carry
Q short. heavy sword, very much like
that formerly used by our artillery.
The sword Of the gendarmes is larger
and of a little different pattern. These
are Of no use in making an arrest, but
the police do not hesitate to use them
in defending themselves from attacks.
They have twisters for handling re
fractory prisoners. The gendarmes
are the Government police, and do
only court duty in Paris, but the or.
ganization furnishes the patrolmcn all
over the country outside Of the capital.
The arms of the police Of Berlin, St.
Petersburg and Vienna do not differ
materially from those used in Paris.
The members Of the forces car
ry swords and revolvers. Berlin,
before the organization OF the German
Empire, had but eleven hundred day
patrolmen, and at night there were
only watchmen, who had too many
private duties to perform to attend to
the security Of the streets; but now it
has an excellent department.
/ In St Petersburg the police are very
numerous on the streets, and their
movements partake of the mystery
that surrounds all government mat.
tiers in Russia. A traveller who was in
ST. Petersburg some time ago tells Of
a peculiar sight that he witnessed one
day. He was walking up the Newsky
Prospect, when he saw q small squad
of police. or gorsdovei, as they are
called in Russia, come out of build
ing and march up the street. As they