St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-27
IN BORROWED pLUMAGE.

The pending contest in this city is a
business mems fight, not a political
dispute. Every merchant and every
laboring man in the city knows that he
has suffered loss during the past two
years by reason of the inefficient city
government we have had. The hard
times that have prevailed generally
throughout the country have been espe-
cially stringent in st. Paul because our
city government have been impotent to
accomplish anything in mitigation of
depressing conditions.
In the entire previous history of st.
Paul there has been harmony and con-
cert of action between the city govern
ment and the several commercial
bodies. and they have worked together
for the general good with results that
have been gratifying to all concerned.
During the past two years this frater-
nifty has been interrupted. There has
been no open disagreement-no quarrel
or scandal. There has simply been a
withdrawal Of confidence Dy our bust
ness men from the city administration
for good and apparent cause.
Under former administrations our DO
lice force, although small. was one of
the most efficient in the country. 1t was
not a political machine. The command
ing officers were all men of large eX-
oerience, who had risen from the ranks
by virtue of their own merits. They
were familiar with the city and the peo-
pie of st. Paul. They were Intimately
acquainted with the dangerous classes
and their ha UNITS. When a crime was
committed they could instantly recog-
nlze the handiw ork of the guilty par
ties, and knew where they could in
stantly find them. Crooks from other
cities were Spotted on their arrival in
the city and warned to make themselves
scarce. And they did so, well knowing
that their every act was known and
their beSt-laid plans would be circu M
vented. 1t was the aim of our police
officials to prevent the commission of
crime. not alone to find and punish
criminals after the overt acts were COM
mitted.
This is the true mission and policy of
police organization. Officers who per-
nit the presence of criminals in COM
munity are as derelict as those who
permit the commission of crime. "a
ounce of prevention is worth pound
OF cure" and to prevent robbery and
burglary and murder was the aim of
the police under former administra-
lions.
That our streets and vacant spaces
are now in good sanitary condition is
due partly TO natural conditions, but
more especially to the Intelligent and
comprehensive system Of drainage de-
yised and put in operation by previous
city administrations. Years ago our
sewers were constructed with view to
the growth of the city, and h ave proved
to be ade quate in every respect. A few
branches have been constr ucted during
the past two years, rendered necessary
by the growth of the city, and these
have served to emphasize the wisdom of
the projectors Of the entire system.
Some improvements have been made
on our public parks and driveways. BUT
they have simply been in line with the
plans previously adopted, and ia the
direction of completing work already
inaugurated by the Democratic city ad-
ministratiOn. Some changes have bee n
wrought in our local government sys-
TEN. but these were made in accordance
with the provisions of the Bell charter,
measure suggested and carried
through the legislature by the Demo-
Gratis.
1t will be found by close scrutiny
that no single advantage our city or our
citizens have obtained has been the re.
suit of the suggestion of the present ad-
ministratiOn. 1t has inaugurated no
reforms or public improvements; it
would not have carried forward those
already instituted if il had not been
| compelled to do so. When it claims
| praise for reduction of thu dabt. it
| bases its claim; upon false pretenses.
The only conspicuous changes it has
wrought have been those that have
made highway robbery an incident OF
almost nightly occurrence and thuggery
prevailing and predominating indus
| try.
The Republicans can gain nothing by
endeavoring to steal Democratic thun
der. The people are TOO familiar with
the facts to be deceived. They will give
credit where it is due, paying no heed