Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-13

tors and two of Head Constables. The
classes are indicated by the ornaments on
the collars and sleeves of the tunics. The
rank and file of the force are recruited
chiefly from the farming class and appli-
cants must be unmarried, between the age
OF q and 26 and at least feet inches in
height. The fact that candidates have to
wait three and four years before they can
obtain admission will give some idea of the
popularity of the force.
RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATIONS.
There are three classes of candidates. The
first consists of picked men who are above
the average as regards physique, general
appearance and literary qualifications The
second class contains men of average qualii-
cations, and the third class those below the
average. Only men who are placed in the
first class have chance of enlistment, but
the candidates in the other classes can i'm
prove themselves wherever deficient and
make new application. OF late years the
number of candidates have been on the in
crease, and it has been found desirable to
form new class out of the first class, and
1t is out of this upper class that the first
men are called. 1t is therefore not to be
wondered at that the men in regard to
physique, literary attainments, general ap-
pearance and respectability are of a very
high order; and found among the. best
people the general impression prevailing
that the constabulary Of Ireland were the
finest disciplined and most respectable
body of men in the world. They certainly
bear conspicuous evidence of careful mill
tary training, and their fine appearance
and equipment cannot but be admired
Their depot in the Phoenix Park has ac-
commodation for about 1000 men of all
ranks. The officers have excellent quarters,
similar to those in military barracks; while
the rank and file have comfortable rooms,
with library, gymnasium, cricket grounds,
etc. Discipline is maintained at the depot
the same as in military barracks; armed
sentries pace to and fro at various points,
their guardroom and magazine being located
close to the entrance gate, where there is q
strong guard posted at all times.
THE NEW PoLIcEMAN's DUTIES.
The first 12 or 1S months of the new
policeman life are spent in obtaining pro-
fciency in military and police duties, and
when he has graduated, so to speak, he is
sent to a station in the country away from
his former home, where they are free from
all local interest and prejudice. There is
also literary and shorthand school at the
depot, and large number of the force are
proficient in the art OF stenography, which
is very useful from Government stand
point in connection with meetings of various
kinds which are held all over Ireland
The constabulary are armed with breech-
loading rifles, sword bayonet, with saw on
back, revolvers, mace and handouts. They
have entirely different duties to perform
from those of the police in this country.
Besides preserving the peace they are en-
trusted with the collecting of agricultural
statistics annually, enforce the law against
illicit distillation, conduct election for
guardians of the poor, take the census,
escort convicts and prisoners, in. certain
cases act as auctioneers, have supervision of
ticket-of-leave men, are ex-otfcio inspectors
of weights and measure are clothed with
the powers of Custom House and excise
officers, protect fisheries and enforce num-
Der of laws too numerous to mention.
PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES LOYALTY.
Thev have always been found loyal to the
interests of the Government, and their
fidelity has not been overlooked, for at
various times large sums of money have
been voted by the English Parliament for
distribution among the force.
The dress of the constabulary is different
from any other police force 1 have come in
contact with. 1t consists for rank and file
of tight-ftting tunic of dark green cloth,
with light green facings on cuffs and stand
ing collar Of the same material They wear
patent leather belts, and their pants are
made of the same material as their tunics
Their headdress consists of the regulation
pill-box cap poised on the side of the head,
and held in place by a narrow patent leather
strap which rests between their chin and
their lower lip. 1t is ornamented with