Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/354

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The Police of Paris. should not be given to women at present, is that a majority of women do not want it, some through indifference it is true; but a large number of intelligent women do not wish to assume a new duty when they have now before them problems unsolved. These women realize that the interests of men and women are the same, and that no legislation which is unjust to women can be good for men; it is only an unenlightened public opinion which can think otherwise. Why should the ballot be thrust upon the unwill ing majority of women? The suffrage is no universal solvent, it performs no miracles, it creates nothing new. The ballot is only one form of influence, one means of obtain ing an end. It has its dangers and disad vantages, and must we not pause before we increase its problems? Mr. Edwards, in his article before referred to, says, " You SHALL have this disability removed which

THE POLIC THE organization of the French police has for a long time inspired the ad miration, not to say the envy, of Europe. Although, like every other earthly institu tion, it frequently shows imperfections, its successful action throughout a long century, from the time of Fouche and Vidocq down to the present day, must be admitted as a proof of the clear-sightedness of the succes sive Police Ministers and the cleverness of their agents. The fact that Eyraud's arrest was not owing to the acumen of the French police is no blot on the system, and should merely be considered as the exception that proves the rule. There are actually three categories of police in Paris — the secret police (political and inquiry making), the criminal police, composed of detectives whose mission it is to track criminals and to watch suspected persons, and the ordinary city police, num-

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is an everlasting reproach to a dominant sex, and be placed on an equal footing with husband and brother." The position of women is not inferior to man, she does not need to be placed, for she is already on the same footing with him. Is it necessary for woman to follow in the very same foot steps as man in her march towards a better condition and a higher life? Our educated women are our leisure class, and from them we have a right to demand the wisdom that comes from the highest ideals lived out in the noblest lives. Let these women become the leaders of Public Opinion, now the strongest force that gov erns the world. But above all let them hold sacred the calmness, the retirement and dignity of their lives, and keep undimmed the high ideals which shall give guidance and light to those less favored than themselves.

OF PARIS. bering at the present time about 6,000 policemen of all grades, which it is pro posed to increase by the addition of 300 extra " sergents-de-ville," at an annual cost of 144,375 francs. Till within a recent date there was another distinct body of police in Paris, the " police des mceurs," whose duties are of a delicate nature, as the appellation implies. As it came to be considered that too much importance was given to the lastnamed body, it was incorporated with the "police secrete," so that, although they con tinue to fulfil their peculiar functions, the "police des mceurs " are not exclusively employed in the surveillance of improper conduct and the arrest of compromised per sons. These three categories of police are official, and act under the responsibility of the authorities appointed by the Govern ment. But, as in England and America, an out