The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-01
drink when he wants it without horrify-
ing lot Of "churchy'' people
MAYOR K1EFER RESPONSIBLE.

MAYOR KIEFER RESPONSIBLE.
Some few weeks ago the Glob es-
sayed the task of keeping exact numerical
account of the number of burglaries and
other crimes of violence which were being
committed in the city. Our operations in
this regard were brought to an end about
the time that the Associated Press re-
ports showed. that there had been a large
influx of ST. Paul crooks into New York
city, many of whom had been arrested
during the Dewey celebration. Evidently
the periods for which these gentry were
committed to prison in New York have
expired, and they have returned to their
favorite scene of operations, which their
experience tells them has the advantage
at least of securing comparative immuni-
ty from punishment
The record of the past week or two shows
clearly that we are again at the mercy
of gang Of burglars, and that they car
ry on their operations with as little re-
gard to the possibility of discovery and
punishment as was the case during the
past summer. It is not pleasant task
TO be compelled to refer to anything con-
nected with the affairs Of our city as
the public press have been obliged to re-
fer to the prevalence Of house-breaking
and hold-up operations in st. Paul prac-
tically during the entire period of the
present administration. Such crimes have
been all too prevalent during the past
three years and over. During the admin
istration of Mayor Doran the chief pc
culiarity of police administration was in
the frequency with which bunco and
other confidence games were being carried
on, and In the conviction which prevailed
| generally that certain members Of the po-
! lice department were in actual league
with the criminals The appearance of
Mayor Kiefer on the scene had no visi-
bic result He, for reasons which seem
| quite apparent to anyone familiar with
local politics and politicians, has let mat
ters drift. He has done neither of the
two things that he should have done had
he had a free hand, viz, reappoint Chief
Goss or remove him. That official, as we
understand the situation, has simply been
allowed to continue to hold over. He was
| Mayor Dorans appointee; and he is not
Mayor Kiefer's, except by negative adop-
ton.
! There is little doubt that Chief Goss is
doing as we'll as the circumstances attend
ing the retention of his office enable him
to do. He certainly is not receiving any
support from the head of the city govern
ment, who is known to keep a sort Of
private chief Of police on his staff in
the. person of his license inspector. Nor
can the people look for any Improvement
until the mayor gives his cooperation
in good faith to his chief, or asks for his
resignation. ~7asse
During the recent session Of the char
ter commission, ex-Mayor Doram stated
his conviction that the police department
should be placed under the control of the
mayor altogether, or else a police COM
mission should be appointed. The SUI
preme court has just handed down a do
ciston that the chief of police has not
the power to remove a member of the
force. The need which Mayor Doran
gives expression to in nowise relieves
Mayor Kiefer. He should do that which
he believes to be essential to tie efficiency
of the police department, and leave the
responsibility on the council Of refusing
to concur in his changes. No one has
ever contended for a moment that the
chief has the power of removal, and ex-
perience has not yet shown that a Re
publican mayor with a Republican coun-
ell has not the fullest opportunity he
needs to make what changes he thinks
proper in the force. Mayor Kiefer has
made those changes at will among the
men in the ranks. What is to prevent
his doing so among the officers. Of the de-
partment If he chooses?
The truth is that the present state of
things in police administration involves a
dangerous scandal, and Mayor Kiefer is
the man entirely responsible before the
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