Police

3775

Political

The Royal Northwest Mounted Police of
Canada occupy a unique position among the
police forces of the world. This picturesque
and efficient body of men came into existence
as the result of lawless conditions in the Ca-
nadian Northwest. In 1873 an act was passed
respecting the administration of justice and
the establishment of a police force in the
Northwest Territories. By October, 1873, the
first 150 mounted policemen had been enrolled
and despatched to temporary headquarters at
Lower Fort Garry, Manitoba. This number
was quickly augmented. The expedition west-
ward was begun June 10, 1874. The number
of men has been increased from time to time,
the work has been extended, and additional
posts have been established. The Mounted Po-

al law to designate the general inherent power
vested in the several States of the United
States to prescribe such rules for the conduct
of their citizens, and such regulations regard-
ing the use of private property as are necessary
and desirable for the general welfare of the
public. A certain amount of police power is
usually delegated by the State to cities, and is
exercised by them through municipal ordi-
nances. Thus, a city may prescribe the kind of
building materials which must be used within
its limits as a protection against fire; whereas,
no restrictions may exist in other cities or
country districts in the same State. Perhaps
the most frequent examples of the exercise of
the police power are in regulations for public
health, protection of streams from pollution.

Target Practice > New York City Police.

lice rendered valuable service during the con-
struction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad,
preventing liquor selling, gambling, thieving,
and strikes among the men; and maintained
order during the rush of immigation following
the discovery of gold in the Yukon Territory
(1894). During the Great War a force com-
posed largely of ex-members, over 200 in num-
ber, carried out an effective control of the in-
ternational boundary. At the present time the
Royal Northwest Mounted Police are engag-
ed chiefly in the Northwest Territories and the
Yukon Territory. Enlistment is for 5 years;
men must be between 22 and 40 years of age,
sound in body and mind, and of exemplary
character,

Police Courts, courts of limited jurisdic-
tion for the disposition of petty criminal cases,
usually only misdemeanors. A person charged
with felony may be arraigned in such a court,
and if there is any evidence tending to sustain
the charge, the court may order him commit-
ted to await the action of the grand jury, or
the county prosecuting attorney.

Police Power, a term used in constitution-

pure food laws, isolation of contagious dis-
eases, etc. Fire regulations, provisions for safe-
ty in buildings, regulations tending to preserve
and protect public morals, licensing certain
trades and occupations, the direction of high-
way traffic, all fall within the police power.

Polish Catholic Church (Independent
Catholic Church in the United States), an or-
ganization formed in Chicago, devoted to the
churchly care of Polish immigrants es-
tranged from the Roman Catholic Church
and in danger of lapsing into infidelity.
The founder is Father Anthony Kozlowski,
who, the better to carry on the work, ob-
tained consecration from the Old Catholics
of Europe.

Political and Social Science, American
Academy of. A body founded in Philadel-
phia in 1889, and incorporated in 1891. Its
object is to keep its members in close touch
with the practical social questions of the time
and to be for them a sort of clearing house to
collect and make available information on
these questions.

Political Offences. Extradition trea-