Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-10

Four more nours and thereu be some rest
for the weary"
1t was O'Clock in the morning and the
policeman who made the remark quoted was
holding up corner lamp post The light had
attracted swarm OF mosquitoes and the blue
coated guardian Of the public peace was having
the fun all to himself. His partner policemen
generally patrol in pairs) was not visible.
''Who says we don't have to work?' continued
the speaker as he slapped at the MOSQUITO.
"There are in the community" he went on to
remark, hundreds, probably thousands, of
persons who think that all a policeman has to
40 Is 70 Walk the streets day and night WE'LL
that might be an easy task to think Of. but the
DOING OF IT Is QUITE ANOTHER THING.
It's well enough for q man who Is confined in
an Office or a shop to take a long stroll. The
exercise does him good, for he really needs il
and TO breathe the fresh air but with police
men it is different. They take the fresh air
and exercise because they can't help them
selves, which is quite q different thing from
doing 1t for pleasure. When person goes off
for walk for recreation he can select his own
route. He can go along the river shore and
enjoy the scenery, or over the hilltops under
the shade trees, seeking cool spots, or along
streets where there is something to be seen
besides closed houses and hot pavements. Not
so the high private in the metropolitan police
force, who is paid to walk. He is confined
within a comparatively small area, and no mat
ter whether there are hot concrete pavements,
dusty are muddy streets, rain or shine over
head, sleet or slush under foot, he has to 20.
station, but that makes no difference. He has
to 60 all the same.
'But going out In all sorts of weather and
walking the streets" he continued. sis not all
that policemen have to do. There is a duty to
be performed, and the chances are that il you
he
ceeded by another man who will be given q
fair trial to do SO. He may not succeed but
then you will not be given another chance.
Police duty now is not what it was years ago.
When Capt Goddard was chief Of police the
officers had acomparatively easy time of it
HOW 1T WAS IN MAYOR MAoRUDER's TIME.
Gas an illustration Of how the city was
guarded then, I recall an incident which was
printed in The STAR at that time. There were
some visiting councilmen here from some other
city, think New York-and Mayor Magruder
undertook the task Of showing them the sights.
1t was late at night when be boosted Of the
efficiency Of the police force and the visitors
were to be shown how prompt they were to
answer a summons. Instead OF using whistles
the police used rattles similar to those now
used as toy by children, only they we're made
of hard wood and made q sound that could be
heard many squares distant. The old central
guard house on Louisiana avenue was then the
headquarters Of the police department. There
were two stations--one was situated on B street
southeast between 1st and I'd streets, and there
was a lookup at the old Western market, corner
Of Pennsylvania avenue and Doth street.
TIE MAYOR SHOWING OFF HIS FORCE.
'With his visitors in q carriage Mayor Ma
gruder started out to make sort of inspection
of the police department.. The central guard
house was first visited. Capt Goddard and
others were found there on duty. The guard
house was not very attractive place, but then
the mayor had not boosted Of the buildings; it
was the men that he expected to show of to
advantage. After leaving Capt. Goddard the
rattle was used and the officers answered
promptly. That was down town. The mayor
was delighted with the prompt manner in
which he was answered by the bluecoats, and
he then started uptown to show what the west
ern squad could do. When the corner of Penn
sylvania avenue and 18th street was reached
the carriage was stopped and
THE MAYOR SOUNDED HIS RATTLE.
He told his guests to listen and they would
hear his call answered. He ratified away, but
in vain, for no response was heard. Again the
sound of the mayors rattle was heard and still
no response. The mayor felt uneasy and ex-
planned that the officers we're probably some
distance off and suggested that the party give
the test call further on. The Washington cir
Gle Chen the Round Tops) was passed and the
western guard house or lookup was behind
them. When the carriage arrived at the other
side of the circle another effort was made to
arouse sorae member of the western squad. but
with the same result. The mayor was puzzled,
but to clear up the mystery the driver was in
structed to take them to the western lookup,
where they arrived in q few minutes.
THE SEVEN SOUND sLEEPEEs.
"They stepped from the vehicle to the side
walk, where unmistakable snoring in chorus
was hear. An investigation was made. The
visitors walked to the door Of the lookup and
there the sleepers were found-seven in num-
ber-almost the entire squad of the western
section, peacefully reposing on the benches.
To say the mayor was Disguised is putting it
mildly. Again the rattle was used. and this time
had the desired effect, for the seven blue coats
arose and bashfully confronted the mayor and
his visitors. Then there was q surprise party
and the seven sound sleepers were suspended
IT WOULD NOT DO NOW.
"such duty as that would not go in these
times the officer continued. Suspended?
(scornfully) why the whole crowd would be
dismissed after a very short hear ing. It's true
that there is no mayor to show visitors about
now but then the force is not conducted for
the benefit of strangers. In former days the men
were not looked after SO closely they are
now. They went out on their beats and would
probably not see sergeant until they returned
they could noodle as the officers call loafing
Some would go home, while others would seek
sleeping places elsewhere. The newspaper
offices used to be favorite places for the officers
to spend large part Of their time. especially
on rainy or cold. snowy nights. The officers
were generally on good terms with the en-
ployes of the newspapers and were never at a
loss to find soft bed of waste paper where
they could rest themselves. Should the ser
geant happen to come in the vicinity some one
would arouse the slumbering policeman and
hurry him out to answer the sergeant's call. If
officers should attempt such tricks now it would
be only short time before they would be sum-
moned
BEFORE THE POLICE TRIAL BOARD.
When asked the question. Guilty or not
guilty?" the private may just well answer
guilty for the sergeant's word usually goes
When an officer goes on duty now he has to be
on he alert if he wants to keep his place. The
patrol box has to be visited every hour. The
ser geant is on the beat and perhaps the lieu
tenant and the night inspector are about, so
that the man who does not want to do straight
duty had better not make application for men,
bership on the police force. The saloon and
gambling elements are not strong enough now
to save an officers scalp and there is conse-
quently no inducement for policemen to stand
in with these classes. The men have to look
sharply after both gambling and drinking
houses and there have been many saloon
keepers dealt with in the courts during the