Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-22

During the past few week there has been sew
srsi occasiOas when the scope OF the duties Of
policemen have been brought 10 public atten-
ton Policemen on the witness stand have
given their ideas Of their duties, and the recen,
killing Of . eolored thief By an officer caused
some comment in police well Is in legal
Circles.
Mr.. Richard Sylvester, chisf clerk Of the
police department.. in conversation with srAR
reporter concerning policemen and their duties
said:
"A policsmsn's life is not happy one. This
Is . stubborn fact and not an idle fancy in its
application to the man who wears a badge and
carries a baton in Washington This say
after thirteen years experience in the police
department and with . personal familiarity
with the systems and Requirements Of those
employed In like capacity In other large cities
Of the country. Here the policeman is secure
against removal from Office for political rea-
son. and vet he Is not denied the privilege Of
expressing his political sentiments OF prefer
ences. He receives compensation correspond
ing with that paid BY the principal municipsli-
ties. A nes.er uniform sdorns the Capitol
policeman than Is seen elsewhere Shorter
continuous duty Is required than In most other
sections Thus secure politically, yet politi-
eAly free to HIS opinions, with good and
promps pay, the finest uniform and perfect
equipments and earlier relief from steady per-
forrnance Of duty, Why should the policeman
81 the District Of Columbia experience an I'M
happy lot7
rnIxss Ar. NOT WHAT rHrY SEEM.
did you ever ssssnd . spectacular drama,
with iss legion Of characters. surrounded with
spangles Of silver ard gold. tropical plants In
the height Of bloom, curtains Of lace. festoons
Of rich velvets, garments Of rich silk. scepters
and crowns OF diamonds, sll sparkling beneath
the richest rays Of light, all prompting the con-
cinsion that they must be happy. wealthy and
wise2 Then did you whit the stage, behind the
Scenes, and TO your astonishment find the great
company made up of poor men and women, the
growing plants 70 be pasteboard and linen, the
diamonds to be large buttons Of glass. the rich
silxs to be bu. cambria and 80 FORTH IN other
words behind the beautiful scene you first wit
messed was the real-ths hard-worked, poorly
paid people. SO when You cherish the thought
that the handsome, well-elothed. brass-fronted
officer near the corner grocery Is free
from responsibility and care you are prob
ably mistaken do not mean TO say that
every policeman ia hard worked and the model
Of virtue ana truth, for force composed Of
nearly 500 men must have its drones, mslign-
srs and unwOrthie~ These men have weak
nesses do the rest OF humanity. They have
their domestic cares, business complications
and personal responsibilities TO shoulder indie
pendent OF their Official duties, vet the regula-
lions REQUIRE that the latter must not be i'm
paired by embellishments over the former.
A PoIIcEMAS's REAL PAY.
"a Washington policeman. who receives $500
q year must pay for O winter and summer suit
Of uniform clOthingon average of twice each
year. To pay for these garments he is given
SIX months, or ninety days on each uniform
n. 2LA
operative relief insurance Will require s12 more
year. and an active official. above the average
In intelligence, Is lucky if he doesn't have a
nne. by way OF reminder in discipline, to pay at
east twice year. These expenses de-
lducted. $500 policeman receives about
500 per annum. or little more
than SEQ q month. Then il hts clothing
Is destroyed in the line Of duty he must foot
the bill. In order to be qualified primarily for
appointment on the force he must be ablo to
read and write English; be q citizen Of the
United States; resided in the District at least
two years prior to his appointment; never been
indicted and convicted OF crime; be at least
five feet eight inches in height; be between
twenty-five and thirty-five years Of age; be Of
physical health and vigor, which means ability
10 stand a rigid medical examination; of good
moral character and OF unqGestioned energy
aud courteous manners. This means that pre-
eeding selection the applicant must first be ex-
AHMED IN every way. mentally, morally, phys
4A4iNs 20 rAsliA uTt t<tllist tDA0Ss ne
might be ashamed of when inquired into, and
nnally do al in his power 20 prove himself man
% good address. When the prospective de-
velOps into 4 real live. sure-enOngh policeman
and has beat assigned him. he is warned
against the use Of liquor and acquainted with
the direfui results which sometimes follow its
use. Under the regulations he is supposed to
lie aluays on duty. and the only time when he
b free from actual police cares is On his day
Of.
THE "NUsrs' IN FoLIcuMAS's LIFE.
To 70 into detail and recite all the exactions
laid down and required Of the average Wash
ingtOn policeman would make a volume, but
these constitute a few % them; lie must pre-
vent and detect crime. be always prepared for
duty: wear fun uniform duty: be punctual
81 attendance; b. oJ~d.eut to orders and
SUPERIOR. he quiet, civil and orderly IN deport-
nent maintain deco-ufn. com mnud OF tenirsr
AM discretion in performing duty; serve all
variants. except b. ciyh prOcc-s, ascertain If
an act cha ged Constitutes a crime or other Of
fen-s for which Trrscn can isSfully be de-
tanned procure all uiturs-es. search persons
arrested, prevent breach - peace ia civil cases:
remoye beggars; send objects % charity TO
proper Institutions: use force n moderate
sh"r.- viii not quiet disturbance and di-orleriy
Persons. BE- ,le.nIy - dr,s- nd black his boots
b. sick inside ~ thirty days TO receive paw:
promptly paw debts: thoroughly acquaint him
fslf With bic heat and persons Who pass over H.:
larri al lii 1fluAtiou Al any tune regar In
H. beat. examine door. wiudOss and gates:
lerfuTn dIty as bailIf 20 Police Court;
ElIrl PRISONERS IN the chain gang:
rsrOrt Suspicious persons. policy dealers and
gambler. arquaiut himself daily with COM
Ilaints aui ofense- lodged AZ the station; watch
ai-orterlv houses; pay attention To vehicles at
Light When room Tor suspicion; report ali
lamps not lighted on schedule time: report
broAen hmPs, report unc.ran lamps; con-
SANITY patrol hI- bea; except police duty Diet
him; report violations 20 law by drink
ing places. pay Particular attention to
pGolic hon-es or any hing liable to
prove d4U gerpus or nuisance: report fires:
report dar gercus places; report waste OF water:
sn-uer all m fulrics. yerify signatures to liquor
brrn-es. distribute tax notices; prevent viola-
ton - th- - provisions Of the police regula-
ruus and Of the buIidiug regulations: preserve
order 81 public entertainments; arrange car
rtage- ~ private residences; tale charge
Of the sick he may hnd; remain at
Police Court 10 prosecute cases
ever dav during time allotted for rest;
enforce the collection Of garbage; report ineff-
clsnt street sweeping; report all accidents at
tsmYts AZ -uicije. animals taken astray aban-
donsd infants. assistance rendered dead in
faut- fornd, drowned persons found. dead
sniual-. dangerous buildings. sheds. wires
bridge. Iavements. damaged trees and boxes.
deaths shere the coroner Was notified number
Of nres attended. damaged IRE plugs. hydran:s,
purntts. nlthy GUTTER. Us-sous found sick on