The Portland daily press., 1893-02-11
l POLICE BILL
Providing for Police Boards in All
the Large Cities.
A HUBBUB In THE HOUSE OVER
THE ADJUTANT GENERALS
ACCOUNTS.

A Measure Pretty Sweeping in Its Provis-
ions-The Deficiency in the Adjutant
Generals Office To Be Looked Into
Cape Elizabeth Ferry Boats May Run
} Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, February 10.-The best
way to administer police affairs is likely
to be the subject of an animated debate
before the session is over. In some of
the cities of the state there has grown
up feeling that the method of appoint
ing and supervising the police might be
improved. Some time ago, representa-
tives of these cities met here and began
the discussion of a measure designed to
establish in the larger cities OF Maine po-
lice commissions similar to those which
have charge of the administration of po-
lice affairs in cities in other states. Lit
tie by little these gentlemen have con-
stracted bill which they believe will
accomplish the end desired. Last night
and this morning they held conferences
and agreed upon the details of the meas
ure, Judge Gould and Representative
Emerson Of Portland, have been in at
tendance at the conferences. A matter
which arose as distinct question,
may find it's settlement in the
passage of this general law. That mat
ter is the family quarrel over in Bangor
where Mayor Beale and several alder
men are exchanging somewhat vigorous
compliments with the other members OF
the aldermanic household. The bill was
presented in the House this morning and
is as follows:
Sect.1.-The Governor, with the ad-
vice and consent of the council shall ap-
point two citizens of each city in this
state. having a population of over 10000,
and of each city whose city council at a
meeting duly called therefore, shall have
adopted this act, who shall have been
residents of said cities at least two years
Immediately preceedlngithe date OF their
appointment, who, with the Mayor OF
said city, shall constitute Board OF
Police for said city and who shall
be sworn before entering upon the duties
of their office, one member of said board
shall be designated by the Governor, as
chairman and two shall constitute a
quorum. The term of Office of the mem
bers appointed by the Governor, sha be
four and five years respectively, as shall
be designated at the time OF their ap-
pointment The full term of office OF
the members appointed by the Governor
after these dates shall be five years from
the date of appointment. All vacancies
occurring after the passage of the act
shall be filled by the Governor with the
advice and consent of the council. The
Board of Police shall annually appoint
one of their members to act as chief,
who shall be sworn and shall keep a re-
cord of all proceedings, issue all notices
and attest all such papers and orders as
such board shall direct.
Sect. Each board of police shall
have authority to appoint, establish and
organize the police force, including the
marshal and deputy marshal OF their
said city and to remove the same Tor
cause and make all needful rules and
regulations for it's government, control
and efficiency all the the powers now
vested in the Mayor, Board of Aldermen
and Common Council or any police ex-
amining board by the statutes OF the
state, or by the city charter, ordinances,
bylaws and regulations OF said cities,
except as may be herein otherwise pro-
vided, are hereby conferred upon and
vested in said board of police.
Dec. O."lu6 lu6mOclo VI uilC pOlNO
force of said cities in office when the said
board of police are first appointed shall
continue to hold their several offices un-
less removed by the said board OF police.
The present rules and regulations OF the
Mayor and Board of Aldermen for the
government of the police shall continue
in force until otherwise ordered by SAID
board of police. All police officers ap-
pointed sby said board of police hereby
created shall have and exercise within
the limits of their said city, all the COM
mon law anu statutory powers OF consta-
bles. except service of civil process, and
all the powers given to police officers by
the statutes of the state
and the city charter, ordinances, bylaws,
and regulations of said city.
Sect. THE salaries of the members
of the said board appointed by the gov
ernor shall be voted by the municipal Of
ficers of said cities and paid quarterly
from the revenue thereof, but the sala-
nv of any member thereof shall not be
diminished during the term OF his ap,
pointment Said board of police shall
be provided with rooms as may be con-
venient and suitable for the performance
of it's duties, by said city, and at its ex-
pense. The said city shall provide all
such suitable accommodations for the
police of said city as said board shall re-
quire. All buildings and property used
by said police shall be under
the control of said board.
All expenses for the maintenance of
buildings, the pay of the police and all
the incidental expenses incurred in the
administration of said police, shall be
paid by said city upon the requisition OF
said board. The compensation of the
police in said city shall not be diminished
below the amount paid at the time this
act is approved without the consent OF
said board of police.
Sect. 5. Said board of police shall not
appoint any larger number OF police
officers than the present mayor, board OF
mayor and aldermen by the statutes of
the state. city charter, ordinances, by
laws and rules of said city are now au-
thorized to appoint, except as may be
from time to time authorized by said
city. Said city shall have the same au-
thority now vested in the appointing
power, of appointing from time to time
special officers for special services.
Sect. 6. The board of police shall make
a report of it's doings annually to the
4 l. l.