The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-10

1t is said on the authority Of an officer
of the police force close to Chief Getchell
that when the proposition was first made
to him by Mayor Kiefer about accepting
Goss' place, Getchell declined. While he
had long been ambitious to become chief
Of police, he didn't care for the niEety
days sentence which Mayor Kiefer want
ed him to take. Getchell saw double
chance for his police career to come 10 a
close in that time; the possibility of the
Republicans turning Kiefer down for the
nomination, and, if that did not result,
the other possibility of his being de-
feated. In either case Getchell saw his
finish. So he declined. But the mayor
refused to take no for an answer, and
even went so far as to tell Ge.chell that
if he refused to accept the place he could
also consider his days numbered on the
force. With that alternative he accepted.
Now Getchell is having his inning. Hav-
ing been forced into the place, the story
goes. he proposes to carry out every or
der that the mayor gives, even to the
point of making enemies for the chief OK
ecutive. When the mayor ordered the
saloons closed at midnight stead of fol-
lowing out the old custom of enforcing
the order long enough to deceive the
sleeping part of the community into be
lieving that such course was being pur-
sued and then allowing the saloons TO
keep open, Getchell proposes to keep them
closed He does not intend to do any
guessing about the mayors wishes. He
To- oh, oh fc n
the mayors office, and will follow out an
order until he receives another one just
as explicit to let up. The same way
about gambling. 1t is said that not more
than ten or fifteen poker rooms are run
ming now since the mayor gave orders to.
suppress gambling. Getchell Is waiting
for an order on the wholesale licensing of
women, which the administration points
at with pride because 1t has brought $l0,-
600 in fines into the city treasury, while
it has permitted between 200 and 40a
women to locate any place they desired
In any part of the city, so long as the
landlords raised no objections. But when
an order touching that question comes 1t
will receive the same treatment from
Getchell.
Prosecuting Attorney Finehout yester-
day engaged In a wordy alteration with
Judge Hine, in municipal court, in the
course of dismissing the cases against
William Leggins and G. w. White, the
alleged proprietors of the negro club at
! 81 East Third street.
When the case was called Attorney
Finehout offered to bring the case for
trial before the court, but protested
against jury being drawn. Said Mr..
Finehout:
IT don't believe 1t to be my duty to put
the city to the expense Of trying the case
before jury when 1t should be disposed
of before the magistrate. / withdraw the
complaint"
Judge Hine was visibly annoyed. Il
will not" he said, permit any attorney
to practice In this court. who criticises
the actions of the court
+ Attorney Finehout was undaunted Il
will do my duty as. ] see it, he said
when the time comes that cannot COM
! ment Oh the action of the court freely
and in accordance with what believe to
be my duty as q representative of the
city, 1 will resign and never expect to
appear in this court again.
Seven men charged with gambling at
the colored club on Third street were dis
charged by the court, who had ascertain
ed that they had merely been playing
hearts.