The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-23

nations Of the vampires and man eatchers, who he
In wait for the poor and the oppressed, may be
frustrated. We would at the same time impress
upon the Commissioners of Emigration, and the
legal authorities, the necessity Of watching with
increased vigilance, and Furnishing with Increased
severity, the heartless gang of swindlers who
have devoted themselves to these infamous prac-
tees, which can only be paraleled by the man
trapping traffic OF their prototypes of Africa. We
believe their conduct worse, for the business OF
the latter is conducted IN straightforward, open
manner, and by avowed enemies; while the former
proceed under false pretences; sometimes under
the mark OF friendship; and not untrequently make
the identity of their country and their religion,
plea with the poor emigrants, in order that they
may the more effectually win their confidence,
and make them their victims.
The POLICE systemic the general plan upon
which the police is organized, we do not object;
we believe il to be about the best that has as yet
been devised for the protection OF the lives and
property ofthe cizens but, in some OF Its details,
it is sadly defective. Mayor Havemeyer, in his
message ofMay last, alluded to these defects, and
particularly to the very mischievous mode of APP
pointing policemen.
The appointment of the police of each district
is virtually vested In the Alderman and Assistant
of the ward. The Mayors interference IN this
department amounts TO no more than this: he may
refuse to ratify the nomination Of the Alderman
| and Assistant, keep the nomination IN his pocket
| for twenty-one days, and if they do not make a
new appointment in the mean time, then he him
self may appoint; but this is a contingency that
has not yet happened, nor is it likely, from the ma
ture of things, that it ever will, unless IN the
Third ward. The Alderman and Assistant have
too great an interest in the matter to be caught
mapping; they send In new names, and, if he re-
jects these, they send in others, until they tire
him out, and, in the end, he lisa Obliged to
yield.
Now, the question is, do these functionares
make good selections! Do they nominate men
for their qualifications and fitness for Office only
or do they nominate them as politicians and par
tizans! We apprehend it will be found that poll
teal partnership is the moving cause with the
Alderman and Assistant in the city, in their ap
pomtments to this very important department Of the
city government; and why Because these gen
tlemen are generally men of note in their wards
aspirants to State and city honors, and not unfre
quently to Congressional distinctions also They
are the nucleus of little knots OF city politicians
through whose mstrumentahty they are fore re
strengthening and extending their influence an,
interest, from their relations both parties have
a mutual dependence on each other, and each ar
equally interested in cheating the public. TIL
clique sends its patrons to the State Legislature
TO the halls of Congress, or enable them to pro
cure some lucrative employment under the Stat
4 Il
the patrons lose no opportunity of adding TO tn
public burdens for the benefit of their retainers
by creating new Offices, increasing the expense
of cid ones. and, though last not least, causin.
confusion and disorder in all the departments, by
turning out old officers, who, from experience
and length of service, have become familiar witt
the routine OF office, and capable of dlschargin!
Its various duties with advantage to the public
and then placing some noisy partiZans. withou
taste or discretion, or any other qualification, ey
cept that OF active politicians, In their places
Now, If any one department of the public ser
vice, more than another, requires its members t,
be men with cool heads, of sound Judgment larg
experience, and above all, to have thorough
knowledge of human nature, it is the police de
partment. We ask then whether, under the pre-
sent system, men having all these requirement
are likely to be selected! We answer no. Gu
experience ofmany of the appointments which hav
been made under the present system, has warran.
ed us in coming to this conclusion. Those VIII,
have spent their days and nights in maxim!
speeches at pubic meetings, and in public houses
canvassing for this, that, and the other candidate
can receive those appointments.
We, therefore, suggest that the mode and term O.
appointment be changed one, two or three com
missloners as far removed from political influences
as nature of circumstances will admit, be appointed
by the Legislature, in whom the power of appoint
ment shall be vested. Let there be some test drawn
up, by which the efficiency of applicants may b.
tested; and when approved of, let them be ap
pointed during good behavior, and not as now, 70
two years. We would also add, let their dutle
be specifically defined and pointed out, anc
the eyes of the public be kept continually upol
them. With these amendments, we think the pre-
sent system would work well, and the police
would be an effective and useful body of men.
THE REPUBLIC OF New GRANADA-On look
ing over some files of Bogota papers, we foun,
the following law published, as having passed tn
houses of Congress, and been approved by tn
President, on the 10Th of March last. II Is some
what an important law for foreigners residing i