New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-13
THE POLICE OF THE CITY.

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AT the last session Of the Common Council,
Mayor Lewis sent in message recommending
that the present police force Of the city be aug
mented BY the addition of one hundred and fifty
men-being one hundred less than recommend
ed by the Grand Jury week or two since.
On the plain proposition Of increase of force
there can be no difference of opinion. Indeed,
double the number recommended, and let all,
together with the existing police, be considered
true and faithful men, and the force would
hardly be sufficient to protect and guard the
persons and property of q city likeNew Orleans,
spread as it is over so large an extent of ter
ritory. We have plenty of room within the
incorporated limits of New Orleans for half q
million Of population, were the packing process
as well known here as in New York, and al
though We have not that population, the space
ought to be carefully and sedulously watched.
Because people are scattered, instead Of being
crowded like sheep in the shambles, it does not
follow that they do not pay taxes and are not
entitled to protection.
So far, all is plain sailing. But, now let us
look at the other side Of the picture. 1t is al
ways we'll to look at both SIDES In fact, the
whole truth cannot be arrived at, no matter
what the subject, unless all the points in con-
troversy are dispassionately considered The
employment of one hundred and fifty additional
policemen would cost the city at the rate Of
about 500 coo per annum Now, here is matter
for reflection If these men are employed,
where is the money to come from to pay them !?
They must be paid, and should be paid prompt
" At best, the lot Of a police officer is hard
york, and poor pay, with continual grumbling
ringing in his ears, whether he has been remiss
in, or faithful to-, the discharge Of his duties
But, the money must come from some source |!
That is foregone conclusion, if the additional
expense is determined upon. What source j?
That is an extremely difficult question to an
swer. Real estate can bear no further taxa
tion. The burthens put upon it are already
enormous, and are reacting disastrously upon
its value. Further imposts would be ruinous-
would be like the last ounce that broke the back
of the camel Where, then, are we to go to
provide the means to meet the proposed addi-
tional expense We are very sure We can't
tell. # there is any species of property not
highly taxed in this metropolis. we would like
TO see it pointed out--we would be pleased to
see the happy owner-and doubt not the whole
community would take pleasure in bestowing
unusual marks of regard upon him.
This being already en- oYsrtaxed community
--as taxation has reached the EXTREMIST limit
consistent with good policy Or safety--it strikes
Us that, before o large expenditure is resolved
on, ways and means should be provided to meet
that expenditure. Let us not enter into any
contracts which we are unable to see our
way clearly through. The neglect ofpreparing
for the future in advance has brought many
evils upon this corporation. The bitter expe-
rience of the past should teach us to beware Of
such false steps for all time to come
We are in favor of increasing the police force,
md would cordially second the recommends
ion Of the Mayors message, if we could see
where the money is to come from to pay the
men thus employed, without increasing the one
,ous burthens which now press, incubus like,
lpon the energies and progress of our popula-
ion.
In addition, we will remark that, we're the
Police Board abolished, and the present force
'laced under the exclusive control of the Mayor
md Chief Of Police, we believe thrice the exist
ng efficiency would be at once seen and felt |
still We have no idea that party will allow such
! desirable contamination.