their families may repose in security. He is liable at any moment to meet and measure strength with the highway robber, the burglar, or the midnight assassin. He is liable at any moment, without time for thought or reflection, to be called to take decisive action in cases that involve life, or a large amount of property, cases that may give rise to the nicest questions of law, and eventually puzzle the brains of the wisest jurist.

The liberty of his fellow man, often erring, sometimes innocent (a most important trust), is often committed to his care. The strong man, the fragile woman, the stranger, the little child, claim alike his guidance and protection. The poor, the weak, the sick, and the distressed, seek his aid and counsel. The erring look to him for a better example, and yet, in his path of duty, are strewn more snares, more temptations to allure him from the path of right, than can be found in any other. What manner of man ought he to be? Should not his health and physical strength be equal to his task? Should he not understand the nature of men, and the secret of controlling them for good? Should he not well study the character of his mission, its powers and responsibilities? Should he not always possess a cool head and a kind heart? The man who goes out and performs these duties, cannot be made a mere machine; neither can he be governed by military rule and discipline; for he goes out to act alone, and on the merits of his muscle, his industry, his integrity, his faithfulness, and his good judgment, is based the usefulness and good name of the department, and in a great measure the peace and security of the city.

In an organization like ours, much depends upon discipline. It is well that the officer know something of "the school of the soldier," but it is of much higher importance that he be well disciplined in the "school of the police officer."

Efficiency cannot be secured without discipline, and in our department discipline cannot be maintained without harmony. Five hundred men disorganized, and at loggerheads with each

other, are worse than useless. Five hundred men, good, true, and united, have a power for good beyond estimate. When the present Chief of Police was placed in charge of this department, he found the central office nearly vacant, and the work there to be done, which had required the services of ten experienced officers, he was left alone to do. This state of things had not existed two days before the facts became known to every thief in the country. They said "The fly-cops are out in the cold, and Boston is a clean field; " and within twenty days, delegations of their fraternity, from almost every city in the Union, were seen in our streets. Here was, indeed, a crisis; and the captains of police were called together in council. The first question presented was, "Will the members of the police department unite, and act with interest and determination that our city shall not be pillaged and our citizens robbed by this gang of desperadoes?" Our citizens knew little of this state of things, or of the dangers to which they were then exposed; but I think they will bear me out in saying that we have had but little pocket-picking, safeblowing or house robbery, and that our city has been comparatively quiet during the past year. The records show a less amount of property stolen in Boston the last year, than in any one of the previous ten years, and that about 80 per cent of the amount stolen has been recovered. A few members of the police have done much, and are entitled to much credit in this work. But I believe I am justified in saying that, had it not been for the harmonious and united action of the whole department, in which every member is entitled to a share of credit, the result would have been far different.

The rules of the department require each captain of police to keep a true record of all police matters of interest com.ing to his knowledge, and to present to the Chief of Police a true copy thereof for the twenty-four hours next preceding eight o'clock, A. M., of each day.

The chief and his deputy also keep records, and meet with

the captains of the several stations at the central office at nine o'clock, A. M., of each day, when notes are compared, past work reviewed, and arrangements made for future work.

The chief here submits his orders to the captains, and they in turn transmit them to their subordinates, as occasion requires. Each captain is held responsible for the condition of his district, for the manner in which the duties are done thereon, and for the conduct of his men.

This method gives the head of each branch of the Department a general knowledge of all the work to be done, prevents officers from interfering with each other in duty, and enables all to work together understandingly and in harmony. The general duties of officers are assigned them at their respective stations, -yet every officer is required to attend to any police duty falling in his way, in any part of the city, reporting the same to his captain, and receiving due credit therefor at the station to which he belongs.

And while the head of the department claims all prerogatives, and cheerfully assumes all responsibilities devolving upon himself, and will hold accountable all officers of his charge to a faithful performance of duty, he will also claim for them all the rights and privileges, and extend to every man all the courtesies and considerations, due every good and faithful officer, of whatever rank or position; believing that with a body of intelligent men, discipline, harmony, and efficiency can be better secured and maintained by dealing with them promptly but justly, and securing their confidence and good will, than by any other method.

The several police districts are suitably divided into beats, and are well officered; the station-houses are neat and clean, and in good order. The records of the department are kept in uniform style, and convenient for reference; and it is believed that in discipline, harmony, and efficiency, the Boston police, today, will not suffer by comparison with any similar force, or any

former time. And the chief is deeply indebted to the deputy chief, the heads of the different branches, and to all officers and members of the department, not only for the faithful manner in which they have performed their own duties, but also for the aid and support they have at all times rendered him in an ef fort to discharge his, and for the kindness and respect that has been tendered him on all occasions.

When entering upon the duties of the office, the Chief of Police found himself surrounded with difficulties that were unknown to his predecessors. His cares and labors have not been light; his responsibilities not few; yet he has received, not only from all members of the government, but from the press and the citizens generally, such support and encouragement as to lead him to hope that he has at least done something to promote their interests and merit their approval.

To his Honor the Mayor, and the gentlemen comprising the Committee on Police, has he been placed under the deepest obligations. To their generous forbearance, kind indulgence, and timely counsel, is he indebted for much of whatever success he may have secured. To them, and to all who so kindly sustained him with their counsel and encouragement in his efforts to do his duty, he tenders his most grateful and sincere acknowledgments.

I have the honor to be,

Your obedient servant,

EDWARD H. SAVAGE,

6*

Chief of Police.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

From the first settlement of Boston, the town provided a constabulary force, the office conferring powers to serve both civil and criminal processes. The business at first was, however, principally of a civil nature, and compensated by fees.

After a time some of the constables were selected to take charge of the town-watch, and others were employed on public days, and other special occasions; and later, some were detailed to patrol the streets, drawing their pay from the treasury when employed by the town.

Since the establishment of a police force, the duties of constables are principally in the courts, or in service as collectors, or in other matters connected with civil law. The present number is ninety-eight.

The town of Boston began to take direction of her own local affairs, on September 1st, 1634; and on the 27th of February following, a night-watch was established, which, under various rules and regulations, was continued up to 1854, with the exception of about a year during the Revolutionary war.

The department was under the direction of constables up to the 31st day of August, 1812, when a captain of the watch was appointed. This organization was continued, with various modifications, to the 26th day of May, 1854, then numbering about three hundred men, when it was disbanded, most of the men having been appointed police officers in the new police organization.

The term police, so far as the records show, was first applied to an executive officer of Boston on the 17th day of April, 1788, when Captain John Ballard, and two others, were chosen as Inspectors of Police; their duties being "to maintain cleanliness and good order in the town."

The office of Inspector of Police was continued up to March