The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-08-27
POLICE MATTERS.

Our police force wonid seem 10 be
losing its prestige under the rule Of
thepoiice commission. There was time
when it was dangerous to resist the
officers Of the law, as many thugs and
toughs have found to their sorrow.
bluff some of our policemen, even hit
them in the meek, as one OF them ex-
presses it. THIS is what happened in
Third street saloon some weeks ago,
and the Police Commission met the
other night-ov a month after the
fi-ht-to find out what it was all about,
t. fad out why the men who resisted
the police were not arrested, and
strangest Of ALTO find oUtas to whether
the policemen KNOW THEIR DUTY, Just
think of it, fellow citizens-pojiccme
on the force who do not know their
duty, or who are not sure of their
grounds" They do not know whether
they have authority to enter saloon or
other place to Guell a disturbance or
prevent 4 murder or other crime, IN
less called in by the proprietor; but
they are sure OF their libcrty-and some
OF them exercise it freely-to go into a
saloon during hours Of duty and play
sevea-up on the end of the counter.
or watch 4 melee until the proprietor
tells them to Interfere. For this much
grasp Of their grounds" we suppose,
we shoud-or, more particularly the sa-
loonieercrs, should-be thankful, and
they doubtless are. 1t is right IN their
NIT. What was the purpose OF the Po-
lice commission, anyhow? Was it not
created for the express purpose Of Sc
curing on efficient police force by in
tellcctual and physical tests, and gener-
ally shaping things FOR the better? Has
it accomplished that purpose, or any
good purpose? Not that we can see
hot that anyone can point out. On the
contrary, the force, as body, IS worse
than it was. Before it had one head
who Was responsible for It's discipline
and TIE peace of the city. Now it has
several heads-is q sort of dragon
shaped monster ali tails and heads and,
as III all such eases, lis last position is
worse than its first Its condition is
another verilication Of the truth Of the
old saw, " Too many cooks spoil the
broth"
Bat besides The Inherent doubt or i"-
norance of some of the poIccmen-for
We are pleased to know that there are
good men on the force-there is another
question interests the public. that is.
what-rlSht the MAYOR has to interfere
with the course of the law, what right
he has to prevent the execution of a
warrant, and shield a couple of bar
room toughs from the penalty of resist
ing the officers of the law save such as
he may prescribe? He don't exercise
that right IN behalf of any other Offend
ers, Why the saloonkeepers Why this
so!icltude for them. We admit, t. be
sure, that salOonkeeners haye rights.
II 10 the somewhat unlimited license
they enjoy-the favor they find with
the powers that be that we kick against,
which il strickingly noticeable under
the present much vaunted admins
sration, to which We object We pro-
test against the mayors abuse of his
office. There is too much viliainy
going on IN certain quarters now. We
haver heard it said by those who know
that there - more crime being com
mitted III this city today than there ever
was, and We believe it, and so it will be
rs long as policemen permit them
selves to be bullied by thugs, the Police
commission fails to 90 lis duty, aud the
mayor abuses his powers to shield his
henchmen. Truly superior has fallen
from bad to worse. Where shall We
look for redecming grace? Echo
snswers, Where?