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great excitement which pervaded the city from the time of
our appointment to that in which we took possession of the
office and its appurtenances, as the papers of the day made it
familiar to the community. We do not wish to attach blame
to any for having caused the excitement; our wish being to
convince you and the people that our only desire was the pro-
motion of the public good.
As regards the operations of the office for the year, we can
only make them from the statistics of our predecessors, ex-
cept so far as relates to the time since our inauguration.
OFFICERS.
There has been no change in the Chief of the Department
during the year.
The force at present consists of three hundred and sixty-
five (365) officers and men—an excess of eight (8) on the
number when we entered upon office, rendered necessary by
report of the captains in order to increase the inside night
force, so that those calling at the station-house could at any
time be supplied with an officer for special service.
This force is divided as follows : One (1) Marshal, one (1)
Deputy Marshal, five (5) Detectives, four (4) Captains, eight
(8) Lieutenants, twenty-four (24) Sergeants, three hundred
and fourteen (314) Men, eight (8 Turnkeys, and is nearly
equally divided between the stations, except the middle, the
extent and value of property in which demands a larger force.
STATION HOUSES.
By reference to the report of last year, it will be seen that
the station-houses now under our control are inadequate, both
as regards the comfort of officers and prisoners, to the purpose
for which they are intended. New houses ought, in fact, to
be built, but we have determined, unless otherwise ordered,
to increase the size ef both the Southern and Western district
station-houses. The latter, although central at the time of
its establishment, owing to the rapid growth of the city, is
now nearly on the line dividing it from the middle, and we
would advise the sale of the lot and the purchase of a new site
in some more central locality.
LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
By reference to the statistics accompanying this report, it
will be seen that the largest amount of crime and disorder
arises from the excessive use of intoxicating drinks. There
are more than two thousand places in our city where they
can be had, and many where they can be obtained on the
Sabbath, notwithstanding the law to the contrary. At least
three-fourths of the crimes and misdemeanors committed in
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