very heavy. The average expense of such an occasion may
be set down at from $1500 to $2000.

VII. THE MUNICIPAL POLICE.

Until the passage of the new Charter in 1870, the Police Department was
independent of the control of the city officials, and consequently
independent of local political influences. There was a "Metropolitan
Police District," embracing the cities of New York and Brooklyn, and the
counties of New York, Kings, Richmond and Westchester, and a part of
Queen's county, in all a circuit of about thirty miles. The control of
this district was committed to a commission of five citizens, who were
subject to the supervision of the Legislature of the State. The Mayors
of New York and Brooklyn were ex-officio members of this board.

The Charter of 1870 changed all this. It broke up the Metropolitan
District, and placed the police of New York and Brooklyn under the
control of their respective municipal governments. To the credit of the
force be it said, the police of New York were less under the influence of
the Ring than any other portion of the municipality, and improved rather
than depreciated in efficiency.

As at present constituted, the force is under the control and supervision
of four Commissioners appointed by the Mayor. The force consists of a
Superintendent, four Inspectors, thirty-two Captains, one hundred and
twenty-eight Sergeants, sixty-four Roundsmen and 2085 Patrolmen,
Detectives, Doorkeepers, etc.

The present Superintendent of Police is Mr. James J. Kelso. He is the
Commander-in-chief of the force, and it is through him that all orders
are issued. His subordinates are responsible to him for the proper
discharge of their duties, and he in his turn to the Commissioners. He
was promoted to his present position on the death of Superintendent
Jourdan, and has rendered himself popular with men of all parties by his
conscientious discharge of his important duties. Mr. Kelso is eminently
fitted for his position. His long service in the force, and great
experience as a detective officer, have thoroughly familiarized him with
the criminals with whom he has to deal, and the crimes against which he
has to contend. He has maintained the discipline of the force at a high
point, and has been rigorous in dealing with the offenders against the
law. His sudden and sweeping descents upon the gambling hells, and other
disreputable places of the city, have stricken terror to the frequenters