New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-12

u,,;.,.I e,ve,nments no, even 10 the City CT New
York 10 yesf All power in the hands OF one men, ana
sl lees 70 dt prive the people OF the nsn. g, eiees
Rim Your own experience shows thar, WITH Prr,Po1
yigor anc hdeliy on the part OF me fxeeuuve, 80
Yok msy enjoy the benefits sf good government
uudsr system which vests control o. the Police Ue-
ps,tnept in a board Of officers elected per'odicsuy
and by the ordinary machinery bad a. II Is, waicu
controls eur municipal ele mons snd ~nic9 ahae'
your administration. we hope 70 see 'noro'e
regard the pepoing lsw therefore, as no. dnefinS
Dr.cs pie from that in force under "niSn you
have achieved the reforms which have exceeae1 me
expectations OF the public quite ~ much A. they
Rave you. own. Whether us details are essentially
fferent have no kuo~iejge OF them which viii en-
able me 10 say. H. by its provisions. IS you Aess,
th. Board is To meet daily, "of course st So hour
when the Mayor be present; If that clause
Of il which confers upon the Mssoc the powers which
be eng 20 The actual Head of the Department il q
"oontempible fslsehocd;" and if il does ac,uslly
take away the means by which you have been abe to
dis charge so efficiently the duties OF your Office
,houd have no hest ion in saying tina, ought in
these respects 10 be endec before becomes law.
But | am not sufficiently acquainted with its pro-
visions 70 speak decsvcy OF It's cnarac es in these
srects Nor although | have tncwa something OF
The mt mbers o the Legislature by waom 1t bls been
pres, ted and supported, am able either to concur
With or TO differ from you in laying that II hsi its
origin personal interest rather thin puoic advan-
,sce. lean, hosever. and do agree with you ia the
opu ION. hat the disposition Is Tar too general TO pro-
cue from the Legislature the enactment Of laws, tor
the promotion CT the private Interest. or for the en-
hsnceInent Of the official powers OF toose by whom
they are solicited.
A. desile 10 confer with you in this correspond.
ence with the utmost frankness, YOU will pardon
for recurring point in connection with this sab
ieCt Of which mention was made ia the conversation
you once invited upon il. shall be doing nothing
which Won will deem NJ ius' improper when say,
that gu have been known FOR many years Is q very
active aud devoted nber of the political party with
which you connected, and thst you are indebted
To that party for the position you now fill with
much ability. | said 10 you then. that hN heard
apprehenscns expressed that the claims and interests
OF your party would not be forgotten or neglected,
although they might for time be kept In the back
ground; and thu, the absolute authority you claim
and exercise over the Police Department, mig ht
possibly be used TO convert IL into an iu-
stIument Of political favoritism and control.
had rot then, and have not now, any disposition 10
Que soH The entire sincerity of your denial that any
regsrd whatever had been paid TO polt al considers
tlons in removals appointments and OF your decla.
ratCn that you would ne> er act uDon any such mo-
tnts. But political ED ergenc'es change, and men IN
power sometimes change with them; and every one Is
liable Ia be influenced more or less oy sympathy with
tlose with whom he acts, and by regard for obliga-
tons art ady incurred as well as ayors IN the future
that may be expected. Besides, may not always %
enough to secure the services OF Mayor 80
fes from psrty biascs and pooiloctionsa a. yoursef
and laws must be made for general not for special
cases they must be 80 framed rs 10 protect us
against their being abused by bad msn, even If
We are compelled TOR thar purpose 10 curtau some
what the mower they confer upon the good. Alb
solute power which you might with exclusive
reference TO the public good, might be welded by
ycur successor for hls own advantage. The whole
theory Of all our Institutions implies and,assumes the
necessity and the policy OF restricting the exercise OF
/ civil power; ami much as / admire the energy and
eaIutst yigor which has made the ten weeks OF your
ada iuistrston a marked in the history of the
nuuicical Government of New.lork | should hest
tate before voutuIing. from that brief though brilliant
experl. nee TO discard from the City Charter SO i'm
porat and a vital principle OF all free govern
neIf. 81.
cannot help hoping, my dear Sir. tina, II this bill
snouc become q Law. you will ind your apprehen-
siops of iis nalgs Effects to have been vihou, foam
dafon: that the Police Department will be quite as
much under your control for all the Legitimate pur-
poses good government "a is at present. that the
liquor shops may stl be closed on Sunday; and that
40 occasion will arise for your REIMBURSEMENT OF the
/ POSITION in which you have achieved 20 much dis
tpotion and r.nde'ed such distinguished service to
our great and growing City.
submit these views with entire respect and defer
ence to your judgment, which, | am aware, 10 far
more likely to be correct than uni 2, lnasmuch "a you
! are far more faloiar with the subject. | presume
that YOU will have objection tina, tins communities
ii. u should be laid before the pablo, through tue
tress, 10 which You very properly communicated the
mt r. sting letter which il IL int nded to sckno Wedge
am very respectfully, your obedicnt servant,
| HENRY J. RAYMOND.