should be pursued to attain the desired object, are questions on which all do not agree.

Deep as is the interest in some plan to secure relief in cases of temporary illness, the subject hardly compares in importance with that of relief for permanent disability.

We have in our department already, five men who can never again go on duty. We have also five others who are over seventy years of age, ten between sixty and seventy, and sixtythree between fifty and sixty.

Most of these men have served the city faithfully for many years, and are yet good and true; but they cannot work always, and very few have been able to lay by any means for the future. When their labor is done, who will provide for them?

It is highly gratifying to know that our city government have already taken the matter in hand. The plan of setting apart the witness fees earned by police officers in the Municipal Courts, as a fund, the interest of which is to be appropriated for the benefit of officers who have been injured, or worn out in the service of the city, is an excellent one, and well worthy the high-minded liberal policy displayed by the gentlemen who have made it a matter of interest; and I can but hope that the fund may be speedily increased by other means, that the necessities of those already in want may be properly provided for.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE POLICE.

The statute provides that "The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Boston, may from time to time, appoint such police officers as they may deem necessary, with all or any of the powers of constables of said city, except serving and executing any civil process."

What all those powers are, is not well defined. The statute points out some, common practice has established others; but a proper application to the unnumbered and complicated duties required and expected, with the study and experience of a lifetime, might often find the officer at fault.

The ordinance makes the Chief of Police the head of the Department of Police, and gives him entire control of the Department, its officers and members, and holds him responsible for the good order, discipline, and efficiency of the department, being at all times subject to the direction of the Mayor and Aldermen.

He is required to see that complaints and prosecutions are instituted in all proper cases for violations of the laws and ordinances, and to use his best efforts to bring offenders to punishment. He may, however, when justice requires, nol. pros. any prosecution for a violation of a city ordinance. He is required to see that records are made and kept for reference of all the business of the [department in its respective branches, and he is to report the doings of the department to the Mayor each day.

"He may suspend from duty, and stop the pay of any member of the department, for a time not longer than one week, for cause; and may grant furloughs to any member for the same period." "All complaints made against any member of the department, by any person not of the force, shall be reduced to writing, with specifications, and shall be signed by the party

making the complaint, before the same shall be investigated." And "the investigation of all complaints and charges shall be before the Committee on Police, and the evidence shall be taken down by a clerk."

The Deputy Chief of Police is under the direction of the Chief, assists him in his duties, and officiates for him in his absence.

The Superintendents of hacks, trucks, intelligence offices, pawn-brokerage, building permits, and City Prison, have the supervision of their respective branches, and are subject to the orders of the Chief of Police and the Deputy Chief, in all matters pertaining to the police business of their several offices.

The clerks and messenger of the department are engaged in their respective duties at the chief's office.

The messenger at the city prison is required to carry messages from all prisoners confined there to their friends, free of charge.

The City Hall day-watch perform police duty about the hall during the day, and the night-watch have the care of the building during the night.

The Captain of Police has the general charge and supervision of his station-house and district, and the immediate control of all officers and patrolmen detailed for duty at his station; and he is responsible for the good order, discipline, and efficiency of his branch of the department.

He is required to see that his station-house is kept neat and clean, and open at all times, with a lieutenant or sergeant in charge in his absence; to divide his district into beats of proper size; to make three divisions of his patrol force, one for duty during the day, and one for each half of the night, covering all the territory of his district at all times; to take charge and make proper disposition of all property taken by his officers, in pursuance of their duties; to receive into custody and make proper disposition of all prisoners brought to his station-house; to see that all his

officers perform their numerous duties properly; to keep records of the doin of his station, and to make report thereof to the Chief of Police at nine o'clock, A. M., of each day.

Lieutenants of police are required to assist their captain in his duties, and to assume his powers and responsibilities in his absence. He is in charge of the station during the night time, either one half of each night, or all of every other night, and also by day in the absence of the captain.

Sergeants of police are required to act for the lieutenant in his absence, or for the captain when he and both lieutenants are absent. He has the special supervision of the patrolmen of his division when on duty on their beats, and is also obliged, generally, to take charge of men detailed for escort, or other special duty.

Patrolmen. The duties of the patrolman are at once numerous, complicated, and oftentimes difficult. It is his duty at all times, when opportunity offers, to take the initiatory steps to bring offenders against the laws to justice, and to use his best efforts to protect the lives and property of citizens, and to preserve the peace. When on his beat, he is responsible for the duties there required to be done, patrolling it continually, and visiting every part thereof, as often as once in each hour, if practicable. He is required to examine in the night time, all doors and windows on his beat, and to secure all left open or unfastened; to note all streets and sidewalks where defects or obstructions exist; all defective sewers, drains, privies, cesspools, gas and water pipes, and street lamps; all unsafe buildings, unwholesome trades, or nuisances; all suspicious or disorderly houses and persons; all fast and careless driving in the streets; to care for lost children and injured persons; to direct strangers; to hunt up and restore lost property; to give the alarm and be present at all fires; and to perform many other duties quite too numerous to mention; entering in his book, and reporting to his captain, all matters of interest coming to his notice.

Although places and hours of duty are assigned for all members of the Police Department, yet every officer is expected to hold himself ready for service at all times and in all places within the limits of the city.

SECRET SERVICE.

Whatever difference of opinion may be entertained in relation to the organization of a proper system for the prevention of crime, the detection of criminals, and the recovery of stolen property, one thing is certain, so long as crime is committed or property is stolen, injured parties have a right to demand the services of the police in recovering their goods and bringing offenders to justice. And a most important and difficult service it is; a work that not only demands the best and most active talent in the department, but is attended with more hazard, and beset with more temptations and inducements to wrong-doing, than any other known in the land.

He that is robbed of his goods, perhaps his last dollar, finding himself reduced in one short hour from affluence to poverty, first thinks of the loss of his fortune, and next of the detective who can render him the most efficient service in recovering it; and he is ready to give ten, twenty, or even fifty per cent to any one who will restore to him the whole or any part of his loss. What an inducement is here held out to the man who is supporting himself and family on a salary of but three dollars per day!

Who best knows, and who can best tell the officer where to look for stolen treasure? Be his purpose ever so honorable, will he have any inducement to visit the haunts of thieves to obtain information? Can he accomplish his work in that direction without associating with them and securing their confidence and good will? Will he have any inducements held out to him to share with them a generous reward if they will aid him to obtain