The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-05-11
Administration of City Affairs.

Soon after our municipal election trans.
PRED, some of,he citizens seemed 10 be APP
prehensive that the new government, would,
in their zeal for tho Maine Law, overlook
all other interests Of the city, The remark
",here were other things 10 DO cared for as
well as temperance was no, uniiequen,ly
made by msn who, had they given the mat
ter thought, would have perceived that there
was no reasonable foundation for fear. Some
two months have elapsed since the INSTALL
men, Of the city officers. The form Of
government was new, most Of the persons
elected had had no experience in municip-
al affairs, there was no little confusion in
the pecuniary affairs Of the town, and the
government, was, at its outset, met by an
opposition 10th bitter and unrelenting.-
Despite all this, thus far, those entrusted
with the administration Of the city affairs
have neglected no one interest Of the city.
If they have provided for an efficient po-
lice, and have endeayored 10 see the laws
for the promotion Of public morals execut-
ed, they also have found time 10 provide for
the repairs OF the streets and highways, 10
attend 10 the wants OF the schools, aud gen.
orally to discharge faithfully the duties in
cumbeni upon them. In poin, OF fact,
nothing which could be done TO secure the
welfare Of tho city and its inhabitants has
been omitted. II is remark that we hear
no, unfrequently made, tina, there is less
rowdyism, fewer disturbances of peace,
and more general quiet, this season, than
there has been for years.
Still there Is some grumbling with The
police. There is a class Of men with whom
police officers are not popular-espeeially
those who do ,hOir duty. The restraints Of
the law are not pleasant 10 them, and they
are FESTIVE under lis administration. Prob
ably they may hope by continuation Of
this grumbling so 10 perplex and annoy the
police as 10 render them disinclned 10 per-
form their dniy. In this they will undoub,.
eddy find themselves mistaken.
There is another class, and we say j, with
regret, wto also find fault. They are in
the main good citizens-arc not in danger
from the operations Of the pOlice,-but are
only fearful that the privileges and rights
Of the people arc in jeopardy, by its vigi-
lance. They don't like extreme meas
urcs-lhey arc the fas, friends OF mod
Grafton. Their sympalhicS are good, bu,
they besiOw them very unworthily =
they are charitable people, but their charity
Is showered so profusely in the wrong di-
recIion that they have none 10 bcsiow else
where. We wish these people could be
made 10 understand, that they are really
the people upon whom the first class spOk'
en- OF lean. Wilhou; their cOunteuance
and support, the vicious and dePraved who
infest police courts, and srumble at police
officers, would be as powerless as pulling
infants.
But we have no, room for extended re-
mark. Our police will hardly expect 10 TO-
ceiye praise from all in the discharge OF
their duties, and mus, try and bear up I'M
der their Affections as well Us they cam
Dischargins conscieniiously their duties,
we apprehend they will not lack for encour-
asemen, and sympathy from quarters
-
which will render such valuable. II Is the
duty of good citizens 10 sustain its execu-
two officers in the discharge Of their aPpro-
pirate duiies-and this duty the people OF
our place will no, be unmindful OF. The
police officer is obliged 10 discharge un-
plcasan, and pcrPlcxing duties. He may
no, always nc, in the most judicious manner
-hc may occasionally make mistakes
may be lenien, when he should be other.
wise-bu, If he is governed by RICH, mo-
,ives, he should be sustained. The pub
lie peace can only be maintained by giving
this sympathy and encouragement, 10 the
officer in the discharge Of his duties, and
we believe such is the view which all good
citizens will take. Certain we are tina, no
amour, Of grumblins will deter the city
authorities, il they arc made OF the right
s,ul-and j, is pretty eyiden, they do no,
lack back.bone-fEOm steadily pursuing the
course which their acts thus far have indi'
Gated.