The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-01-15
WEATHER YESTERDAY.
NEEDS REoRGANIzINo.

The cost Of the police system in the
Islands OF Hawaii affords another
striking example Of the increased cost
of government under the centralized
system. The cost OF the police for the
two years ending Dec 3lst. 1888 was
S23S. 600 per annum. according to the
report Of former Attorney General
Cooper. and he recommended an ad
vance over this sum TO 1913 000 in
this city the police force consisted of
101 men. exclusive of the High Sheriff
and his deputies and the clerks ar
headquarters. To say that this little
city OF $4,000 inhabitants needs such
a large force would be 10 stam.it as
probably the most vicious city of its
size in the world Far from being
this II is one of the most peaceful
cities in the world. The number Of
arrests for the year 1899 were 4.045.
or this number 800 were for having
opium in possession and 81 for gam.
ing. These latter We're confined solely
20 the Oriental races and were prac-
tlca!ly all made in raids the body OF
the people being in no wise affected
by them.
Eliminate these cases and the total
of arrests were but 1850. This number
is not in excess of those made in cities
on the mainland of the same relative
size. Take Sioux City. Iowa. for com.
parison. Sioux City is a great rail
road center and river town being
situated on the Missouri river. Its
commerce on railroads and river S
very large and it has much larger
floating population than Honolulu.
The number of arrests there for drunk
enness were 723 as against S79 for this
city. Disturbing the peace 40S. and
assault and battery 81 in Sioux City.
while in Honolulu for disturbing the
quiet Of the night the number of ar
rests were 120 and for assault and
battery +29. Nearly all the arrests in
this city were for minor offenses. the
number for serious crimes being very
low. Those enumerated under all
other causes include riding and driving
without lights and minor offenses Of
that character
Sioux City with all its vicious popu-
lation brought there by railroads AMI
river traffic finds herself very well
policed with eS policemen. one-fifth
the number in Honolulu. That this
city could be well policed with half
as many men as are now on the force
is apparent Twenty-four picked pat.
rolmen, twelve mounted men and -four
detectives under good chief. such
an energetic officer as Mr.. Chilling
worth for instance. would give Homo
lulu police force much superior 20
what she now has. With the smaller
number the men could be much better
paid. Patrolmen should be paid not
less than SIS per month. and $1,000 20 /
$1,000 per year. after one to three |
years service. according to the record !
made by the officer Mounted men
should be paid f. I'm 500 per month |
up TO sle5 per month. according TO /
their work and record This would
give forty officers including the detec.
tives. and with clerks and desk ser
geants and chief and one assistant
would give total force OF not to ex.
coed forty-eight men. Pick the best
men from the present force and add
other good ones and pay them wages
such as mentioned and \Honolulu
would have police force as much
superior TO the present as could wen
be imagined. More men are not need
ed on the force. but better men. wen
oficered. are needed.