Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-04-04
olAscow.s POLICE.
The scotch CIty's Method % Handling Fou
teen Hundred Men.

The Scotch CIty's Method Of Handling Four
teen Hundred Men.
The Glasgow police force Is fine and
wcll-disciplined body of nearly i,4Oo
men. Size and strength have been
counted prime qualifications in their Sc
lection, and their average height is just
under 9 feet. Their average age is 81,
and their average length of service is
ten years They are organized under
chief constable, ten supsrintendents,
and twenty-eight licutenants. with
number of inspectors and sergeants in
immediate command of the patrolmcn,
or ordinary constablcs. A majority of
the men are Ilighlanders They are of
excellent personal character as rule,
and very faithful in the performance Of
routine duties. The force is UNIVERSAL
ly praised by the citizens, and those
complaints and expressions Of criticism
and distrust that one hears in any
American city are unknown in Glas-
gov. The chief seems TO use his own
discretion very largely in the selection
of new men, and there is no ordeal of
competitive examination to be passed.
The selection of the chief Is made by
the council on reco nmsudltion OF the
committee and vacancies in the other
offices are usually filed by promotion.
From top TO bottom, the police service
commands admiration and confidence.
The police courts belong to this de-
partment. Justice is dispensed by the
lord provost. and by those members of
the council, ten in number. who have
been set aside by their fellows as bailies
or magistrates They arrange a scheme
OF rotation, and are assisted by asses
sors, these being rracticing lawyers
who are paid for advising the citizen
magistrates on points Of law. The
magistrates themselves are, of course,
not paid; but in order somewhat TO
tighten their labors n stipcndiary mag
iAratc, or salaried police judge, is en-
ployed at s. 900 n wear. VINO sits CON
stantly in the central district and dis.
poses of large share OF the business.
The general police government Of the
city also employs a law officer or attor-
ney known as the 'procurator fiscal,
who conducts prosecutions. when nee
essary. in the enforcement of the sani-
tary and other statutes and regulations
administered by the council in its ca
pacity as a police board
Half the expense OF policeforce sal
aries and clothing is met by govern
ment grant, as for all other municipal
corporations in the King lom. the main
tenance of order being in theory and
origin n general rather than a local
function. The net charge of the police
force upon the local rates is only about
$3.50, coo. Glasgow has adopted the plan
of building very commodious police
station establishments, in which are
sleeping rooms, kitchens and mess
rooms for the unmarried members of
the force. Retiring pensions are al
lowed, and everything possible is done
by the municipality to promote a high
standard of personal character and a
strong sense of fidelity among the
men charged with keeping the city's
peace and order.
The advantage ofabundant illumina-
tion at night as police measure seems
to me to be appreciated in Glasgow as
in few other cities. There is nothing
very noteworthy about the gaslights
along all the public streets, unless the
commendable clearness with which
street names are painted upon the four
sides of the corner lamps as well as
upon the corner buildings should merit
a passing compliment; but very notable
and unusual is the illumination by the
authorities not only of all private
streets and courts, but also of all com
mon stairs. The cost of gas and wages
Of lighters for illuminating the common
stairs alone are greater than the same
items of expense for lighting all the
public streets of the city.
A part of the extra outlay Is recov-
cred by special assessments, but a con-
siderable margin is a charge upon the
general rates. Thus Il cost for the
year lss7-ss to light private streets and
courts about sci 200, Of which sl2, 800
was collected by a special assessment of
So. Is per lamp, leaving about $1,000 to
be paid from the treasury. The ex-
pense OF lighting common stairs was
sos, 500, of which $50. 500 was recovered
from owners by an assessment of 81. so
per light, leaving the city nearly
$40 900 TO pay. The net cost TO the city
of the street lighting department
proper, including the two services Just
mentioned, but including cost Of super
intendence and central Offices that per-
tain TO the three services, was less than
siOOncG
The sums that owners pay the city
for lighting courts and stairs are per-
haps more than they would pay for in
sufficient illumination IL the matter
were left in their hands The excess
paid by the city in order TO secure
proper lighting should be regarded,
like the police force and the street
lamps as a Legitimate outlay for public
protection, convenience and order. As
the chief of police has remarked 10 me,
each lamp is as good as an additional
constable. The statistics of apprehen-
sions and convictions for crime show
remarkable increase in proportion 70
the number of crimes reported since
the Improvement trust and the stair
lighting have opened up the many
once dark and almost inaccessible rem
dezyouses of thieves and criminals,
while the total amount Of serious crime
has steadily diminished in proportion
10 the population. Municipal Govern
ment in Great Britain"
Promising student.
Young Thickhedde, who has gradu-
ated in medicine, is very fond Of giving
wise opinions on all matters lie
heard an elderly lady say one day:
THE greatest sorrow OF my life il