The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-29

/ Correspondent Examines Into
Powers OF city Police.

Seattle. July p, 1888.
To the Editor; Al conference held the
other day between Mayor Humss and many
citizens Of the esty, who presented 10 him
q petition for the enforcement Of certain
laws by the police fierce OF the city, Mayor
Hunles was understood 10 say tno doubt
unadyisediyp tina; tbs enforcement of GER
tain laws OF the state, and particularly
the Sunday closing law. found in sections
$50 and 72sI Of , Bai,ingers Code. is no.
obligatory upon the police Officers OF this
city because the subject matter of these
Jaws IS not covered by any municipal orii-
mace. ami. therefore Il was Incumbent up
ON the office OF the prosecuting attorney
or King county and the sherih's office to
see 20 tile enforcement of these laws
This position of the mayor Is substantial
ly repeated In the purported summary OF
this conference published on the 9th inst.
I'm the Post-fntelilgsneer
In order 10 show this position IL no,
sound, II is scarcely necessary 10 do more
than say that the criminal laws of the
state operate as well within as wishoa.
the city limits and do not need the rspsti-
ton or sanction OF the city ordinances tn
give them effect. and that many Of the
offenses committed within the boundaries
Of this city are not embraced In city orii-
nsuCes. nevertheless the city police force
Is constantly engaged in the finiing out ana
offenses. Why Mayer Humes or any one
else should suppose there is any less
obligation 10 enforce one part OF the Grim
IDaI laws Of the state violated within rh..
city mcrw than another is hard 10 under
stand. especially In view Of the direct man.
dates OF the charter On this head. az fol-
lows:
Article v, section 2 The mayor shall
see that ali the laws and ordinances In
Ess t]x la gus,
and shall direct ard con.ro, al subordinate
officers of the city. excep; insofar as such
direction ard control IL by the provisions
az this charter r.pose3 II some other Of
Hcef or board and shall ma ntain peace and
eooi order In the city
"Ar;icle VII. section s rlrSt-The chief
81 police shall have In the St.chnrge n MS
duties Ike powers ard be subjected "a like
responsibilities as the sheriff Of King raun-
- IN similar cases aad shalt perform such
ether 0uiiss ard have such other powers as
may Re imposed on or granted 70 hlr, ny
;his charter or by ordinance 81 fhe city
'S@Cen1-Tae chief 81 police or any tso-
Nre ofstcer n any regular or special POI re-
man shall make arrests with warrant for
any crtsHc or vocation - she laws II the
state Gr a8y ordinance ~ IN. citv commit
ted within tns c;}y and shall make arrests
s!Gsouf warrants 81 sach rzses a. shall
he trsscr1ed hy ordnance. auf no, othsr-
wise provided shsf 1D;l the cfy caun-
81 ssaA prescribe suea cases al arrests
may ~ made w5thp8s warrant
'Seellaa {, NJ member of the paiics f,rce
sAa1 Receive arg fees or sn. eeznpe rsats.sr,
sha'eV0g. directly ar Indirectly from the
c3,y. reHnfy nr s2ate COY any services rer-
8sye4 ~ sct done. wh5ie member Il x,,~h
police foTes, afneT taan tAs sata-v asssvs
provided for. exc*ot witness fees IN me
superior CoHrt"
Also %ee on tbs point 30 la~ ~ isss ~,
page 10, * she session laws ~ this year