The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-28

Axw YoRx Police SYsrEM--Irs lsEFFIcEScy.
A great deal was expected Of the present police
organization of this city when that system was in
troduced. 1t was thought that It would not only
afford our citizens ample protection, by night and
day, from the numerous rogaes and villains OF for
egn and domestic growth, who infest the metro
polls, and live by plunderng the community, but
would also prevent the commission Of cnme to a
very great extent. Nor were those expectations
unfounded, for the system is inherently good, and
ifcaried out honestly and faithfully, would an
swer all the purposes for which it was intended
We regret, however, to learn, that through the
corruption, knavery and trckery of politicians, our
police system becoming every day less efficient,
and ere long Will, no doubt, degenerate into as
powerful an instrument OF corruption as ever
afflicted people in proportion TO its magnitude.
The discipline so essential to Its well working,
and SO important to be enforced, is a mere baga-
telle Ii has long since departed, and the prlvates,
If we may use the term, not fig for their cap.
tains or superior officers The men are nominated
by the aldermen Of the respective wards, and
their nominations are the reward for services per-
formed on election days. They are based on
compact or agreement of this kind An ambitious
aspirant for the office Of alderman, and the pick
lngs and stealings thereunto appertaining, as the
lawyers say, goes through his ward, asl promises
nominations as policemen by the score, 20 such as
will interest themselves In his favor His oppo-
nent of the opposite party does the same, and no
matter which one succeeds, he is bound to fulfil
his part of the agreement. The police officers thus
nominated are generally appointed. and, having
friend at court, they rely upon him for a contlnu
snce in office, and look upon him their superior,
instead of the captain of their district whom by law
they are bound to obey. The consequence is, that
the police captains are treated men of straw, no
discipline is observed the men act on their own
authority and instead of. performing the duty as
signed parade the Streets with their stars or Other
emblems of Office in their pockets, and cigars in
their mouths. Thus we account for the imposs-
bify of seeing policeman when hs services are
required, although there is standing army of
nine hundred men scattered through the city. With
their stars in their pockets they cannot be recog-
nzed and not one is to be seen ia case of riot or
fight in the streets. 1t is the same throughout
the entire city. Every alderman is under oblisa-
lions to more or less of those men, and what can
the captains of the police do VIXEN the influence
Of the whole Common Council Is opposed to them,
This is the sad and deplorable condition 10 which
the police organization of this city has been re-
duced by the arts and practices of politicians. In
the name of common sense, we would ask, when
are the unfortunate people of New York to be re-
lieved of the blghting influence of political trick
sters! Are they to be forever taxed numerically!
lis their substance to be wrung from them, in the
shape Of taxation, forever without any remedy or
redress'-are they to remain always the victims of
aparcel Of unprincipled political ricksters, who
convert into rottenness and corruption everything
which they lay their hands upon7 Letour citizens
ponder on those matters.