The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-09

PoIIcE.-There is a great deal of public excite
ment in this city at present, relative to the pro-
posed change in the method of choosing the
Chief and Captains of Police. We alluded to
the subject some time SINCE when the first at
tempt was made to bring about measure
which is an utter absurdity both in a logical
and practical point of view
There always have been certain meddling
third-rate pot-house politicians who have a
strong penehant in favor Of special legislation"
for what they call the "good of the city of New
York" In the matter of the Chief of Police
these men are now endeavoring to procure
the passage of an act Of the Assembly to le-
galize the election of the head of the depart
ment by popular vote. The Chief is now ap-
pointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the
Aldermen and the Captains of Police by three
commissioners-the Mayor, the Recorder and
the City Judge-and the officers are responsible
to these commissioners.
The present system is an effective one: and
when it shall become perfected by time and ex-
peIience. it will be the best thatwe could have
Let us look for moment at the other side
the new regime that is proposed The Chief
and Captains are to be elected by the people
A number of votes secured will insure
the election of the persons who hold the
Offices at the time, no matter how cor
rupt, how venal, how unpriucipled they
may he. The Chief and the Captains
work toge II u for the same end the policemen
and the friends of the policemen vote for them.
The men must have some reward for this devo-
tion to their superors They get the reward
in laxity of discipline and the obtuseness of the
Chief and Captains when citizens complain o
neglect or insult. The Chief and Captains are
independcnt-there is no power to control them
except that Of the people, and the people cannot
control them until their terms Of Office have ex
pired. It follows that under the present system
of primary elections, the rascals who would do
the acts above specified would certainly feel no
reluctance in interfering with and controlling,
by bribery. by threats, by corruption, or by any
ether villanous means, the votes OF q sufficient
number OF electors to secure to them majority.
There is scarcely any person able to read who
is not aware of the power which an unscrupu-
lous politician holding the Office OF Chief Of Pc
lice, with thousand organized men at his con-
mand, may exert in o city like New York. Life
and property arc in his hands--the very exist
ence of citizens depends upon his prudence, sa.
gacity, honesty and fidelity. We ought not to
throw so much temptation ia the way Of any
one man, however good he may be. There
should be some power over him; and by the pre-
sent system, there is an excellent supervising
board
The above we believe to be fair statement
of the question. The first inquiry that natural
ly suggests itself. is why should there be any
change So far as the present system has been
tested it has worked well-the system proposed
is full Of dangers and at any rate must over
burden the people with elections, which are sc
complicated now that a youthful elector knows
not half the time who or what he ia voting for
and this extra burden will result IN no cor