The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-25

The "LITTLE VILLAIN VS.. THE LIEUT.. GOVERNOR.
From the Times, l4th March, 1854
OUR CITY POLICE : DANGEROUS MOVEMENT AT Al

II. liz.
From the Times, l4th March, 1854
OUR CITY POLICE DANGEROUS MOVEMENT AT Al
BANY.
The people of New YORK have been making dsspe-
effort during tie last wear 20 secure an honest eff
Gent, and satisfactory city government The
abuses and absolute imbeclity OF the arrangements
then istng-the exposure of the most gigantic cor
suptons in every department OF the government-the
fearful increase of crime, of taxation Of disease Of
ryhug injurious to the public interests aroused ge
neral feeling of alarm and Indignation and led TO vi.
and united effort for reform That reform has
principles, practical and efficient ia its operation
certain, lett to the faithful admnisra Of the OFF
GERS elected under it, to give what wa need-an no
ment ~
The police department was thoroughly reformed. The
supreme control Of It placed in the hands OF the
Mayor Recorder and the City Judge-the three highest
officers IN our ctythe men brought most directly into
contact with the criminal wants Of the city almost
tain to be OF different parties giving their services
Police Commissioners gratuitously, and likely all
counts to consult exclusively the public good. They
were empowered TO appoint and remove for end
after TRIAL al the officers and members Of the police de-
partnent and to make such rules and regulations as
have been aasnty AZ work reoraansaS ths dsp ,asy
ment They have adopted new and stringent rues for
its government-they have 50 far as possible exacted
honesty ability and fidelity requisite TOR membership
they have taken TO separate the department
entirey from all connection with party politics
they have prescribed a distinctive uniform which is
popular with the members with all othef. They
have enforced the regulations with degree OF impair
tiay and rgor never known before and they have laid
the foundation Tor efficient and useful police de-
Iartment ne can be found in tie world. No man can
inform himself accurately Of their action IN the pre-
mses ana Of the condition and prospects of the depart
ment, without being thoroughly convinced that all it
needs Is to be let alone.
and yet movement is foot at Albany to
break up this systemo destooy its best features and
plunge the whole police organization OF this city into
greater confusion and embarrassment than it has
known hitherto bill has been reported IN .he Assem-
bly, TO destroy the present commission aud to put the
control of the department into the hands Of the Alder
men, authorizing them connection with certain other
w RI largs
salaries aud exercise the power Of appointment and
moval at discretion The blu also makes the Chief Of
IRON what political clique or party interest this
movement emana,es, neither know or care 1t bears
upon its face the evidence that it originates 10 other
motives than those which relate to the public good II
Is clearly and designed TO the pur.
put weapons into the hands OF individual to pro
mote his personal Advancement. more fatal move
nent so tar as the good of city is concerned one
more certain TO nare all our most valued INTEREST," and
to render life ard property hopelsssy insecure, could
not possibly b. devised II would throw US into
dition infinitely worse than that from which were
rescued by the reform OF last year II would convert
the Police department. into the most fearfuly ormi
dable and corrupt political organization ever known Il
would directly the interest and necessity OF
policemen 10 secure the friendship OF every thief and
vagabond who happens to have vote, IN the whole
community. II woulG make them all dependent for the
tenure OF their office, party service lenency to
couudres and on the lax and inefficient performance OF
their duties.
We trust that steps viii be taken 10 convince the
legisatpIeof The fact that such bill ssko for by
the peore'o New York-but that they would regard its
enactment ~ the most serious calsty that coul beal
them. The very secrecy with which Il has been con.
coctd and maured, proves clrsiyely that IL the
work OF designing parties and IL intended N accomplish
some sinister purpose Ali classes Of citizens
emphatic and Undertaking testimony to tire satisfactory
working Of the present system Our public officers, In
every department of the city service, the mayor ne
judges OF courts our public prosecutors-an who
are in any way connected with the administrator OF
justice VIII testify that have had so good
police a. have at present, and that II viii grow
better end better with the lapse Of time aud as the fruit
OF experience All that 10 needs ia 10 be let alone
We hope the members q the Legislature from other
parts Of the State win not be msled into the beef that
any necessity whatever exists fer me idlng vita this
subject Our city government il ia hands capable
Of administering H. and In whose integrity OF purpose
the great peops have the fullest confidence
Thesl le iatye action OF last year sufficient for all
our neesssites and fsry entitled 70 ask OF the
Legislature that they shall, for the present At least,
leave us 70 attend to own Affairs.
The Legislature, BY the vsy will do vel 70 be on its
guard sxnst all deputstsns that may visit Albany for
the purpose sf seeking smendnent 70 the ctr charter
We ks%r Of csaxse ofseves, sppeinied yesterday By