A question arises whether or not this provision of the appropriation act just named modifies or otherwise affects the law contained in the sections of the Revised Statutes just quoted, and, if so, how and to what extent? No other enactments bearing upon these questions are in force. It is respectfully suggested that additional legislation by Congress is required, if the meaning, intent, and effect of the clause in the act making an appropriation for the support of the force is to be clearly understood and its application unhesitatingly made.

The board of police deems it a duty to again refer to the special necessity for an increased police force for this District. This absolute need, as yet unrealized, has been urged in several former annual reports, and as the need increases with each year, its propriety is again submitted. Increasing population and wealth, with an onward march in the progress of public improvements, together with the special duties with reference to public parks and grounds, imposed upon the board by recent legislation by Congress, should add greater and more urgent emphasis to the presentation of this subject, which is here again submitted substantially as heretofore. The maximum number of privates or patrolmen authorized by law is 200 men, of which number it has been found necessary to place 26 privates on special or post-duty, thereby leaving but 174 privates for actual street-duty. There can be no doubt that at the present time our population amounts to fully 150,000, which, divided by 174, the number of active patrolmen, gives one private to every 900 inhabitants, very nearly. And if we take into the estimate the fact that we have constantly in our midst a large number of transient residents, it will be safe to state that we have but one patrolman to each 1,000 inhabitants. It may be well to note that large detachments are continually made from the patrol-force, during the winter season, to attend at public receptions of officers of the Government, foreign ambassadors, prominent citizens and residents at our capital. The demands upon the force from these causes are so pressing that frequently it is found necessary to almost entirely uncover our streets, leaving but three or four policemen to guard entire precincts, and that, too, at night, and during a season of the year when police surveillance should be most strict and effective.

It is estimated that, under ordinary circumstances, the numerical strength of a police-force should be one policeman to each 500 inhabit ants. This estimate is, however, for densely populated cities, and would be no fair criterion for a population spread out and scattered as within this District, with an incidental population also drawing largely upon the force for the preservation of order on public occasions.

The special design of a police-force is the preservation of order and the prevention of crime. This object can only be attained in proportion as a district is carefully patrolled and guarded in every part by the frequent and almost constant presence of officers. To reach this end a large force is required in this District of Columbia; and, without this, much which is required and expected of the force cannot be accomplished. As the result of local experience and observation, and information gained in other cities, the board is satisfied that, to secure protection to persons and property, the patrol force of the District of Columbia should be at least 400 men. As an illustration of the necessity to which we refer, the following statistical information is submitted:

In the city of Washington there are three hundred and thirty miles of streets and alleys to be patrolled. The building-squares, as num bered on the plat of the city, are 1,070, affording a building capacity for about 400,000 inhabitants. Besides this there are, within the limits of the city, public grounds and reservations covering an area about one

fourth as great as that of the building-squares referred to. Now this area is more or less densely occupied by dwellings throughout the entire city limits, and should be guarded by the police. But to accomplish this end, by making such arrangements of the beats of the men as experience teaches as best adapted to secure a thoroughly efficient protection to life and property, would require a force of 800 men. And here let a brief statement show how greatly below the real needs of the service the strength of the present force is. There are 144 privates assigned to active patrol-duty in the city of Washington. One-half of this number, or 72 men only, can be placed on regular duty at night, when the largest force is required. Dividing the number of miles of streets and alleys (330) by the number of men assigned to night-duty, gives each man a beat equal to 4,72 miles in length. In the day-time, for various reasons, the force is frequently less than one-half of that on duty at night, and consequently the beats are more than double in length, or between nine and ten miles long. It is not strange that, under such circumstances, citizens often complain that they cannot see a policeman when wanted. But when it is considered that in these calculations no allowance is made for sickness, absence from other causes, double beats when it is dangerous to send a man alone, attendance at court, &c., the average beats are necessarily much larger, and in the end it will be found that, even with 800 policemen, the District would not be oversupplied.

It may not be inappropriate here to state that the Government em ploys in the various Departments and public buildings more than one hundred watchmen and police officers, at a cost of not less, probably, than $100,000. This force is entirely distinct from, and not auxiliary, even, to the Metropolitan Police force. The board is not aware of what arrests, if any, are made by the men thus employed, except on occasions when made by such of them as have been commissioned by it as additional privates, or under what particular regulations they are controlled. Of this fact the board feels assured, that the number thus employed and the amount expended in their support merits strict supervision and accountability of their labors. It is respectfully suggested that it would be well to inquire whether the duties devolved upon this class of officers could not be as well, if not better, performed if subject to the disciplineand supervision prescribed by the board for the government of its force. Whatever is done by these employés it is but reasonable to presume must be in the nature of police-duty. If it be so, then there would seem to be an eminent propriety in their joint alliance with and into the Metropolitan Police system of the District, and be placed under such discipline and surveillance in common as is accorded to all members of that force.

It is believed that such a unity of forces, if placed under the supervision and held specially accountable to the same executive head, would largely enhance the efficiency and value of the entire police establishment of the District of Columbia, and exert a valuable moral influence elsewhere. Aside from the benefits that would result from this means of bringing the guards or watchmen of all the present subdivisions in buildings and localities under the same central head, and consolidating their forces into a legion of associated power, the respective heads of Departments would be relieved from numerous importunities in regard to this service, and more free in the undisturbed performance of other duties.

And here it may be added, that the present Metropolitan police force has been in existence over fifteen years, having been organized in Sep

tember, 1861. Quite a number of the present members of the force were appointed at its organization, and the fact that they are now members is conclusive evidence that they have performed faithful serv ice during this long term of years. Others have been employed to fill vacancies, as they have occurred from time to time, during these fifteen years.

As an unavoidable result many of these men are becoming advanced in years, as well as old in the service of the board. The exposure and hardships necessary to a policeman's life, are gradually but surely undermining the constitutions and health of such members of the force as have served faithfully for a term of years. The efficiency of a few for street duty is already seriously impaired, and that of others must follow. If the board had the opportunity of assigning such members of the force as become incapacitated for the exposures of street-duty to posts where they would be less exposed to inclement weather, many years of faithful and efficient service could be utilized in a manner highly advantageous to the Government, not only in a financial view, but to the efficiency of the civil service in this District.

It cannot be presumed that Congress would for an instant tolerate a policy which would cast a class of its employés upon the charities of the public, who, under the provisions of its laws, have given the best part of their lives to the service of the Government, and who have wrecked their physical energies and broken down their health in the discharge of duties incident to their avocation. It should be borne in mind that the pay of policemen is barely sufficient to support themselves and families, and that being required to devote their time to official duties to an extent which precludes them from engaging in other employment, they have no opportunity to accumulate means to supply the necessa ries of life when sickness and old age shall prostrate their energies and hamper their activity. Under the laws of Congress members of this force are appointed for a term co-extensive with good behavior, and can be removed only "for cause." There can be no doubt that the "for cause" must be construed to mean some voluntary act of omission or commission in the performance of official duty, or some moral delinquency affecting their standing as citizens or members of society. There is, then, or may be, a class of police officers who, performing all their moral and official obligations to the satisfaction of the board, so far as they come to its knowledge and observation, become aged or infirm in its service. This class, almost of necessity, must be composed of upright and reliable men. It therefore becomes, and is even now, to some extent, a practical question, "what disposition shall be made of this class of policemen?" They cannot be rightfully or legally dis missed the force, and it would be inhuman to do so, if it could be done. What, then, can be done, and what shall be done for members of the force whose long term of service, coupled with failing health or advanced years acquired in the line of duty, admonishes us that in no distant future they must become incapacitated for active and efficient street-duty! Either they must become pensioners, or be transferred to posts of duty less subject to exposure and hardship. It is, therefore, earnestly sug gested by the board that the policing of the public buildings and grounds could be efficiently, satisfactorily, and economically performed by the class of men in question, under the direction and supervision of this board. With this view the subject is respectfully submitted for your consideration and recommendation.

The discipline of the force has been kept up to a very satisfactory standard during the year. One hundred and fourteen infractions of the

rules and regulations by members of the force have been brought to the attention of the board in the form of written charges and specifications, under which trials have been held, as provided by law, and with the following results, viz:

The board believes that it has in its employ a body of men, with rare individual exceptions, which aims to perform duty efficiently, conscientiously and intelligently. But few complaints of harsh or brutal treatment by policemen occur. In fact scarcely any have occurred during the year.

It has been the aim of the board to lead the force to realize that even violators of law and offender sagainst order and propriety more readily yield to a firm but mild exercise of authority (and with results much more satisfactory) than they do to rude and inhuman exhibitions of physical power, however muscular and effective its application.

The physical condition, intelligence, habits, temper, and aptitude for police duty of applicants for appointment upon the force are carefully inquired into before selections are made to fill vacancies which occur, and by which means only the better class of candidates obtain posi tions as policemen. Partisan influences of a political character are not regarded in making selections for the force, and indeed the party affiliations of appointees are unknown; and if after appointment they become kuown through offensive espousals of candidates, or the advocacy of measures of political organizations, such actions are regarded as im pairing the efficiency and usefulness of a police officer, and are of sufficient gravity to work dismissals from the force.

Under the provision of section 435 of the Revised Statutes applicable to the District of Columbia, 434 applications for approval of license to vend liquor by the drink have been made to the board, of which number 392 have received its approval, and 42 have been disapproved.

The board embraces this opportunity to again state that under the operation of existing laws, it is impracticable to entirely suppress the illicit sale of intoxicating liquors, and it again urges the enactment of more effective and satisfactory legislation upon this subject.

In conclusion, attention is respectfully called to the reports of the treasurer of the board, the major and superintendent, and the propertyclerk, which are herewith submitted as a part of this report.

These reports contain important and interesting tabulated and statistical information relating to the operations of the force during the year. Respectfully submitted.

Hon. ALPHONSO TAFT,

W. J. MURTAGH,

President.

Attorney-General United States.

DEPARTMENT OF METROPOLITAN POLICE,

OFFICE OF THE TREASURER, 482 LOUISIANA AVENUE, Washington, November 10, 1876. GENTLEMEN: Herewith is a statement of the accounts of this office with the United States for the fiscal year ended on the 30th day of June last.

Very respectfully,

The BOARD OF POLICE,

Metropolitan Police District, D. C.

H. M. SWEENY,

Treasurer.

The United States in account with H. M. Sweeny, treasurer of the Metropolitan police, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876.

OFFICE OF THE MAJOR AND SUPERINTENDENT,
November 7, 1876.

To the Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners:

GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to submit berewith a report of the operations of the Metropolitan police force for the year ending September 30, 1876. This report is confined mainly to tabulated and statistical information, together with a general summary of the results of the duties performed by the force.

The tables submitted herewith show the number and disposition of the force, the time lost by sickness and other causes, the total number of arrests made by the force, classified by precincts; a classification of the ages of the males and females arrested, each separately; the nativity of persons arrested; a classification of the offenses for which arrests have been made, including offenses against the persons of individuals and against property; and, lastly, a table showing the trades and callings of persons arrested.

The following is a summary of the results of the operations of the detective branch of the service during the year, so far as they can be made a matter of record. Necessarily much of the labor performed by detectives, such as watching suspected persons, making themselves acquainted with the criminal classes, their haunts, habits, and associa tions, cannot be presented in a report or be made a matter of record: