The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-09
A TYPICAL BOSS AT WORK.

One of the most remarkable demcnstra-
tions ever given Of the irresponsible and
arbitrary operations of boss rule in poll
tics is being offered at this time to the
people of the city of New York. The
people Of that important community arc
their morals, as they have been at in
tervals for the past two or three genera
tons, and the cry of reform-police
reform-resounds from the Battery to
Spuyten Duyvel. All classes from church
and business people to the ordinary pIod-
ding citizen, are intent on securing such
a reorganization of affairs as will
lead to the suppression at least of the
open expressions of, vice and to the re-
placement of known corrupt police off,
Gals.
And now comes the Republican city
and state boss, Senator Plat, to-Wit
and declares that he will re- order every
thing and will call into existence a body
of state officials who will take charge
big city, and run the police department
to his if not to their entire satisfac-
ton. He will do it through his state con-
stabulary bill, which he intends to have
into law at his bidding this winter. To
be sure there has been some little ex-
preston of doubt and dissatisfaction
among those who do not know anything
about real political reform with the
scheme of Mr.. Plat, and he has accord
ingly made certain notifications of the
original scheme just to appease the
'kickers." But a state police he will
have, which he will furnish to all the
large cities, according to their several
needs, or else there will be nothing done.
Home rule is a nice thing to talk about;
but it is little more than. an~iridescent
dream when it interferes with the plans
Of the great boss. The representatives
of the big city are not likely, however
to lie down quietly under the dispensa-
lions Of the boss, at least in this par
ticular. There is a revolt in progress
Even that reliable literary whee!-horse
of Republican reforms the New York
Sun, seems to have taken the bit in it's
teeth and to have shown very strong
disposition to bolt. It's latest common
tary on the police scheme of the boss is
in its usual concise style. It says:
1T is understood that the promoters
OF bill to transfer the control of the
New York police department from the
local authorities to a state officer have
employed an able and astute member
plish the violation of the constitution
necessary before such a bill can become
the law. The constitution provides that
city officer, not provided for by the
manner by the city itself, or by such
city authority as the legislature shall
designate. The attorney is hard at work
to devise a method to escape this re-
Quirement for otherwise the consta bu
larry scheme must fail.
The spectacle of the leaders of a great
party openly seeking to SubVert flInda-
mental principles and to violate the obi
cation Of the written compact contained
in our state constitution indicates a CON
tempt for law and for the rights of the
give pain to the mass of Republicans
and offense to the people of the state in
general
The scheme of state. police is not an
untried one. They had it in Nebraska.
and they were compelled. to discontinue
it, owing to the excessive expense and
the paucity of good results from it. The
present city government of Omaha is
Republican, and accordingly, a former
Republican governors acting under party
inspiration, has shown his attachment to
reform by giving back the control of the
local police to local authority.
In st. Louis the scheme is in actual
operation at the present moment with
the result, among Others, that the cost
of police maintenance in four years has
nearly doubled, or, to be. precise, has
increased from $977.94o in 1897 to 81, $780,
624 in 1901. 1t is Republican policy, both
in Omaha and StLouis. to have the police
handie5 by the people who are taxed
To pay the1re~ In New York, under the d.