The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-14
YESTERDAYS TEMPERATURES.
washington time q p. m. st. Paul..
4 DEMORALIzED DEPARTMENT.

The reading public will doubtless have
noted that within the past week or ten
days the criminals who operate by vio-
lence have resumed their former activity
in this city. Burglaries have become as
numerous almost as they were during
the close of the summer, and the hold
up artist makes his presence known to
many a wayfaring citizen.
1t would be mere speculation to inquire
whether this renewed activity is due to
the record which has been made of late
by members of the police force Of drunk
enness and violence on their own part
That record is Of course an entirely fit
ting sequel to what is going on among
the criminals. and it helps to show the
demoralized state in which our police
department now is.
What is the matter with Mayor Kiefer,
anyway? He seems lost to all sense of
official responsibility as the legal head
of the police department Were it the
face that the heads of that department
were of his own direct appointment, or
that they We're political retainers of his,
1t would be comparatively easy to under
stand his ignoring the scandalous Iapses
from decent and orderly conduct which
have of late distinguished so many of
them. But such Is not the case. On the
contrary it is undenied and of common
repute that the present nominal head Of
the police department holds his office
somewhat against the will Of the mayor.
Goss is not. consulted by his superior Of
ficer on any subject, even that of local
politics. At times, it is understood, the
treatment personally accorded by Mayor
Kiefer to his chief is agreeable; but the
times when this happens are rare, and
cidedly unpleasant.
The general public has a right to know
why the mayor allows his police depart
ment to be differed as 1t is, when 1t is
within his reach to make any change he
needs. No one pretends that the conduct
Of police affairs is satisfactory It could
not be. Were Chief Goss the most eff
-cient officer that ever had charge of
city police, and were his subordinates
chosen with the strictest reference to
their ability and experience as police Of
ficers, 1t would be unreasonable, under
existing circumstances, to expect a sat
isfactory administration from him. The
subordinate official who is not in touch
with his superior officer cannot do his
work satisfactorily either to himself or
to his superior.
Why, then, is there no change? Must
the people of st. Paul go on indefinitely
reading the long catalogue of local crime,
as well as the drunken exploits of men,
bers of the police force, without any as
surance of effort on the part of their city
executive to apply remedy? Mayor
Kiefer must either fix up his disagree
ment with his chief of police and restore
him to his favor, thus giving him an
opportunity to do what he has not shown
any ability to do during his incumbency
Of the offiee-properly police the city-or
the long-delayed change should be
wrought in that department Each day
that passes makes the change more diff
flcult. The mayor is a candidate for re-
nomination by his party. To secure that
honor he doubtless will have to make
terms with Goss and Goss political
friends. In the name of all that is ra-
tienal, Mayor Klefer, if this is the con-
Sideration which controls Won oct ,,o,,,.
fences in order and put an end, If at all
possible, to the prevailing decentralization
by extending to your subordinates the
inspiring light of your approval and CO.
operation. The people are disguised with
your game Of shilly-shally
There are Republican votes enough in