The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-28

manded by Chief Arrange, who has his
Headquarters in this city, and who d.
reefs It's operations with ability. In
Panama Colon and other larger cittes
In the republic the force Is sufhciently
large to certainly preserve police oroer,
while In the smaller towns and villages
from two to six men are stationed. NO
town Is too smaI to boast little bulld-
ing. over the entrance to which Is sign
bearing the legend, inspection dc Poll-
cYa," and, while the force Is essentially
a -combatant organization, It does
It's work so we'll that public order Is most
exoellently maintained.
Tho personnel of this force Is restricted.
In SO far as restriction Is possible. 70
native isthmians. Occasionally tnefe IS
encountered policeman. Of pure negro
blood, but while the entire force IS dark.
skinned, the native element Is far In the
majority, Some members come from the
southern departments Of the Colombian
federation, where a larger, sturdler and
moro resolute race of men Is bred; but
tho SEQ Colombian si1ver) paid as
monthly wage is sufficient to hQd every
member of the force In bonds OF strong
est allegiance TO the new republic. me
superior station tho policemen occupy
in tho various communities Is another
anchor for their fealty. The&, work, Is
comparatively light their uniforms,s blue,
with red trimmings, and white pith he'll
NETS, are attractive, and they are looked
up to with such respect and .opeyea VIII
such promptftude that membership on
the force Is commonly regarded as qu'te
tina most comfortable berth procuraple
under tho isthmian government.
AN ORDERLY people,.
y IN &l,r,, ra0IlIrai to natrOl
their beats, which they do In q lazy sort
of way, these policemen are Seldom
called upon to exert themselves, as the
breaches OF the peace ara of 1nfrequent
occurrence. 1t Is. in fact quite remark
able that among people SO generaliy
benighted and backward In their clvili-
cation, there should he q state or pubic
order moro excellent than is to be found
In any city of consequencelin tho states,
but such Is the case. There are. as a
matter Of course, numerous street braWls,
but these are of little moment, as they
are limited to set-tos with the lists, and
nobody can be seriously injured, Drunk
enness is not looked upon as a public Of
fanse unless the drunken man makes
himself particularly obnoxious, for IN this
country drinking is the rule rather than
the exception. Again, gambling houses,
common immortality and places OF ~
repute are newer interfeyed with, THIS
means, to be sura, that this police force
has less work to do than similar or,
gnnlzation in the States would be ca 'ed
upon to perform. for here there Is a very
different and most generous construction
placed upon what constitutes bnaachi OF
tho peace.
But, allowing for the liberal view, the
lsthmus must be set down as a place
where the law Is publicly respected, and
where the people generally are peaceably
disposed and law-abidng, When dis
order occurs however, tho police force
has little difficulty In quellng It. None
~ tho otl'o.rs are permitted to carry q
reyolyer--a policeman with a pistol would
have too good chance to start revolu-
tion-hs equipment being limited to q
rubber coat for rropaction against the
torrentlal rains, a whistle for use N
summoning assistance In case Of trouble,
and n ponderous lignnm vitae mace
METHODS OF THE POLICE.
The moment trouble breaks out the
police blows his whistle and then mixes
In the melee. That llgnum vitae mace
81 his Is y terrible weapon, and ne uses