The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-15
COUNCIL AND BOARD.
Conference Between City Legis-
latOrs and Police.
An INTERCHANGE OF VIEWS.
The Police Board Defends Its late
Policy and That which II to Bs
followed Hereafter.

Yesterday afternoon . conference was held
between the hre commissioners and the city
council as 70 the charges which had been made
against the police force and the non-eniofce-
ment Of the ordinances against gambling and
other social evils. Mayor White presided, and
those present were Police Commissioners g. l.
Crawford, W. e. Ledgerwood and G. O. Guy;
City Attorney J. r. Lyon, Aldermen Hall. MIL
Ter, Bogardus, Snyder, Wilcox; Delegates Jones,
Kittinger, Krug, Cowdcn, Lansing, Bagley,
Muldoon, Morford, Willis, and Chief Of Police
Monroe.
advisability Of admitting reporters, and at first
they were asked to retire, but after some discus
sion better counsels prevailed.
Considerable discussion took place - to the
intention OF the meeting and the purposes to b
accomplished. Commissioner Crawford ex-
planned that the police board had no
Intention to shirk their responsibility or
70 continuance any irregularity on the part
OF the force. They had considered that It would
be wise TO meet the council and lay before that
body the policy which had governed Them He
said that they had come to the conclusion to try
by reasonable ways to control the gambling and
other disreputablc elements In the city by max
ing periodical raids and fines They had ex-
perfenccd great pressure by part of the mcr-
make Quixotic attacks upon these people. 1t
had been represented to the board that the only
effect OF m attempt TO drive them out OF town
would be to scatter them through the residence
part OF the city, where they would surrepti-
tiously ply their vocation next door to respect
able families. Az It is now, they are confined to
Que part OF town, where none need go who do
not care to. He declared that in view of the at
tacks made upon them. the police had orders to
strictly enforce the ordinances Is they found
Chief Monros said his orders had been TO do
~ Mr.. Crawford said. Whenever the vicious
rested, but 20 long as It kept within the pre-
scribed bounds it was let alone. He agreed
with the commissioners that the evils could not
be wholly exterminated.
The question az to the admission of reporters
again evoked some discussion, and proposition
was made TO admit them. The members of the
coy q as fsy se
sioners veted--2 To 1-against it, but afterwards
rescinded, the vote and the proceedings were
were admitted there was momentary cessation
Of talk, but Mr.. Wilcox took the floor.
Mr.. Wilcox had heard what the police COM
tried to conserve ths interests Of the city, and
only from cranks they have received opposition.
1t was question whether the step they proposed
was wise one. He venturcd to say that the
policy OF the commissioners had been such as
would be approved by the merchants and by all
men except few cranks. He did not
had said, close down everything in the city. It
has more expenses than II can afford to pay;
there is hard times in this city 1t is not policy
He had red IN place once
where il was misdemeanor to sell a glass of
soda water on Sunday, let alone whisky or malt
Just think Of It! Just at this time to abolish
this thing and paralyzc the whole country. He
had to pay taxes; and he il opposed to the chief
and paralyze everything A mans actions is the
only reputation he has for morality.
Chief Monroe explained that ne had not ex-
What he had said was that if the commissioners
directed he could enforce the ordinance
strictly.
Mr.. Bagley said he thought the city's pros
perity had depended something upon its com.
nlercial relations with foreign countries, from
it's mercantile transactions; its enterprise and
intelligence 1t seemed from what Mr.. Wilcox
said it depended chiefly upon gambling and
houses of bad repute.
Mr.. Snyder gave very lively and graphic
world, the purport Of which was that the sure est
valve.
dress upon the moral issues involved. He
thought the chief trouble was the number of low
dives, and the only way to control them was to
observe decency and order their license should
be forfeited. He believed that the object of the
conference was to determine how to meet this
Mr.. Jones said he was delighted with Mr..
Halls speech, which had put them all upon the
right line Of thought. He saw that the only way
passage Of suitable laws He claimed to be ia
miliar with the views of visitors and he thought
the cities Of this country are improving, better
cent. of newcomers belonged to that higher
plane of morals. As Republicans elected on a
party platform they were pledged to make re-
forms. What those reforms should be and to
what extent they should go was the best pur-
pose to be reached at that meeting As one of
these reformers he heartily approved Of Mr..
Halls suggestion OF high license as q matter
of expediency, but not OF policy
Mr.. Cowden called attention to the comment
that had been mpde upon him for his remarks as
to the police force. He had been compelled to
notice the matters brought to him: but he had
learned that some men were very apt to rush up
and make charges who were very unwilling to
Mayor White asked If he could present the
charges he had referred to by Monday night
Mr.. Cowden promised to try, but he under
stood some witnesses lived a long way of.
Commissioner Crawford said the police board
was perfectly free to make any inquiry. He would
say for the department as well as the commits
sion, that they courted the fullest investigation
Mr.. Bagley said the executive department was
not the right branch to make legislation. 1t
was Che duty OF the police to enforce the ordi-
names. whether they were good or bad. For
his part, he was willing tn take the bull by the
horns and license gambling and other places,
and not leave them to the mercy or the malice
Mr.. Willis said he felt perfect confidence in
the mayor and police commission and the chief,
and he felt inclined TO move q vote 10 that eff
feet He read a resolution that "we pledge our
undivided support to the police and the police
commissioners, and recommend that they ad-
wise the council as to the best means of bringing
about the desired results.
Mr.. Hall said the object of the resolution was
Co promote harmony. 1t was a pledge to the
police that the council would support them in
the performance of their duties. II they fail to
do that the council could then deal with them
Mr.. Jones had feared some such result as this
The best thing for the council to was to pass
ordinances which the police should enforce He
objected to their complimenting officials who
had come there and openly said they had not
enforced the laws.
The resolution was then put and lost.
Alderman Bogardus moved to adjourn, but
was reminded by Mr.. Muldoon that they were
there as guests and any man who chose to leave
could do so.
az will relieve you, gentlemen said Commits.
sioner Crawford. 81 moved that we do now ad-
journ"
The motion was carried and the conference
was over
BOARD OE PURIUC wORKS