The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-31

Special Correspondence of The Tribune.
Regina, n. W. Territory. Sept 13-
The strongest wiscst, and most bene-
ficent act ever inaugurated by the Do
mlnlon government was that of organ
i2ing the Northwest Mounted Police
Force" This uniformed mounted guard.
numbering one thousand men and fifty
officers, is body of policemen of whom
the Dominion is justly proud. They are
the finest body of cavalry we have ever
seen, both men and horses. They were
organized some twenty-three years
ago ana are truly a bulwark of pro-
lection. not only to the government,
but the settler, the traveller, and the
Canadian Pacific railway.
This organization is composed OF
young and picked men, thoroughly
drilled. and governed by the strictest
military discipline. They are mainly
six feet In height and selected for their
great endurance. They ride from forty
to fifty miles daily in the performance
of duty. They patrol the International
boundary, commencing near Esteyan
on the 500 Road, $50 miles from Win
nipeg, to the base of the Rocky Noun
tains. Their posts are some fifty miles
apart and are connected by telegraph
or telephone. both north and south of
the boundary. They are in constant
touch daily and no person with or with
out team can pass from Dominion
territory into American, or vice-versa
without being known or overtaken.
The authorities of Montana, Idaho,
wyoming. etc. are in constant COM
munication and full accord with these
protectors of the public peace The
latter exert wholesome influence not
only In preventing smuggling from
across the United States border, but
also in preserving order among both
Indians and whites throughout the ter
ritory. The former have great respect
for the ''redcoats with spurs"
THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.
M"rr Of the mounted police are well
of England and Canada. TslIRRred sons
recruiting Is done in Great Britai.o
All persons wishing to join the force
must make personal application at the
recruiting office at Winnipeg, or OF
Commissioner Herchmer at Regina.
They are required to undergo medi-
cal examination. have thoroughly
sound constitution and produce GER
tiGcates Of exemplary character They
must be good riders and understand the
care and management of horses. they
enlist for five years with rates or pay
as follows: Staff Sergeants, Sl.50 per
day: other on-commissioned ofticers,S5
cents to $1.00 per day; constables. frst
years service. so cents; second, 90;
third GO. fourth 65. and nftn. 10 cents
nor dav ~, penters, blacksmiths and
nrt,-,.,is are allowed extra pay. Mem
6ers of the force are supplied with free
rations, a free kit on joining. and peri
odical issues during the term of SER
vice. Applicants must be between the
ages of twenty-five and forty years.
Married men will not be engaged. Com
missions piNpn N th.a nff of ha
Canadian militia, and to graduates of
the Royal Military college of Kingston.
promotions from the ranks are fire.
quent to members possessing special
qualifications. Drunkenness means
prompt dismissal from the service.
So wholesome was the fame of these
relocated guardians of the prairie.
that their firm and considerate rule won
the respect and obedience Of the In
dians long before the advent of the
railway, and Its coming was attended
by none of the lawlessness and violence
which have darkly marked the opening
of new districts elsewhere in America.
In fact. the whole of this vast region
of Western Canada has been more sub
ordinate to law than Eastern prov
inces. Throughout the territories and
along the entire line of the Canadian
Pacific one cannot fail to be impressed
with the great respect entertained for
law and order. Serious crimes are al
most unheard of, presenting q strange
contrast with the state of affairs exist
ing across the frontier only few hun
dred miles south. Only once has a
mail driver been robbed. That was
many years ago and the guilty parties
were Overtaken and promptly pun
ished. Settlers can leave their homes
on long journeys without a thought
that their homes will be disturbed. This
security is due i'm complete measure to
the efficiency of this matchless police
force. This accounts. too, for the i'm
munity of the Central Pacific railway
from express company robbers and
train dynamiters. Hence this great
highway Is a safer road to travel over
than any other of the trans-con tinental
routes. and there is truth in the boast
that along its line train robbers have
no show. owing to the efficiency of the
mounted police. The police are equally
alert for smugglers and disturbers of
the indian peace and are seen with
their gay uniforms at all the prairie
stations. where they are 20 favorite