The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-03-03
IRISHCONSTABULARY
THs ROYAL POLICE FORCE ON
THE EMERALD ISLE.

istcnce in its present form with but few
alterations for the last thirty-ive years.
kaving been originally organized by Mr.
Drummond. who was under secretary
for Ireland from 1885 TO 1910. Before
this date the peace was preserved in Ire
land by barony constables appointed by
the grand jury and the lord lieutenant
They We're quite incapable of subduing
any serious riot, and the fact that they
were armed and equipped in "A different
manner In nearly every county inter
fered with their harmony of action and
caused them 10 present the most ludi-
crous contrasts when number were as
sembled together for any particular
duty. Mr. Drummond. who had great
talent for organization, soon after his
arrival in Ireland replaced them with
the constabulary Of Ireland. as it was
first called. This force was uniformly
armed and equipped and was controlled
by one central authority in Dublin.
From time TO time the force was in
creased and additional duties were i'm
posed upon IL. until now it numbers
nearly 1900 men. and in addition to
performing the ordinary police work for
all Ireland with the exception Of Dub
lin. which has its own police some of its
members also perform the duties of rev
enue officers. taking agricultural statis-
ties. the census. etc. and lately many Of
the cOnstabulary were employed in reg
Mating the distribution of relief in the
congcsted districts.
As have said. the force now consists
of about $4,000 men. who are graded as
head constables. sergeants and consta-
bies. II is differed by an inspector gen
eral. Sir Andrew Reed: one deputy in
spector general. three assistant inspectors
general. thirty-six county inspectors and
221 district inspectors. the latter being
divided into three classes. according to
their seniority.
The admission To the force as an officer
is their physical qualifications The
successful candidates have no difficulty
in obtaining a nomination from the lord
lieutenant: but as very few vacancies
occur annually the competition is I'M
usually keen and candidates require to
be exceedingly well posted in the sub
jccts on which they are examined
Candidates must be unmarried and
under twenty-six years of age. and must
be able TO undergo a severe medical ex.
animation as to their physical qualilica-
tions. The successful candidates are
sent to the Dublin depot as cadets for
three months. during which period they
are ON probation and receive only the
pay of sergeant-viz.. e75 IS. per an
mum.
At the expiration of hbout three
months the cadet Is usually appoint
od third class district inspector.
when his pay. with allowances for
horse. house and servant, etc.
Is increased to close on to $500 a
year. and as soon ms vacancy occurs
he Is drafted off TO county. where he
is placed in charge of district. under a
county inspector, and then his RESPONSE
BILE duties may be said to commence.
From time to time he is moved from one
district TO another. gradually rising to
the position of first class district inspect
or. when his pay is increased to between
400 and f5OJ year. including allow
ances. His next promotion will be to
the rank of county inspector. when his
pay is slightly increased, and in this
rank he will probably remain. retiring
nj the age of sixty-hve on pension OF
about $500 year.
The rank and file are nearly all Irish
and chiefly the sons of farmers. On en-
iistment they are also sent to the depot
10 be drilled and put through a course of
musketry. as they are armed with the
Snider carbine. After becoming eff
iicient they are drafted off to counties
and districts. No man is taken who is
less than > feet inches in height. and
all must produce good character and
oe able to read and write well. So little
difficulty is experienced in getting re-
cruits that there are at present the names
of 400 candidates on the roll kept by the
commandant of the depot in Dublin.
The pay is very good rising from about
Ei0 yearly to about ESQ rs head con
stable. including allowances.
The men are neatly dressed in a dark
green uniform. and are armed with
Snider carbine, sword bayonet and
Caton. The latter is the only weapon
usually carried. except at night and in
disturbed districts. when il is generally
supplemented with revolver or carbine.
There is exceedingly little crime
among the men. drunkenness being al
most the only serious offense. and that
being very rare. which is rather Won
der when you consider in what desolate
and wretched places two or three con
stables may be stationed with no officer
near them.
Part of the duty Of the men in these
country places is to patrol at night.
every patrol being out from three to six
hours. a portion of the time being al
ways spent In ambush with a view 10
surprising moonhghters. etc. One or
the most uncongenial duties Of the Do
lice Is TO protect the sheriff aud his
suboriinates at an eviction.
In addition to the ordinary police
force on foot there is also small mount.
ed force whose members are usually
quartered in the larger towns The forcs
has always been conspicuous for its sol
dierly bearing. loyalty and steadiness.
and also for the extraordinary efficiency
displayed in performing police and de-
tective duties under circumstances %
unparalleled difficulty. New York Her