Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-02
For the Patriot.
To the city Council.

To the City Council.
GENT Not presuming to dictate to
body of enlightened gentlemen i'll regard to
the policy to be pursued 10y you in the regu-
lation of the Police department OF the city,
but as an old citizen, not altogether devoid
of experience in such matters, assume the
privilege of throwing out few suggestions,
in relation to the selection of men Oh whom
you design to impose the enerous duty OF
DAY Policeman or Deputy Marshal. Our
thriving and beautiful town is just emerging
from that embryo state which envelopes all
American towns of the same population and
Dimensions, into that of an 4s'aeraean City; our
cities like our people, at very early stages
develop powerful tendencies to precocity, and
it is amusing to contemplate the facility with
which cities are manufactured, particularly in
the West and South; you lay down to sleep
in forest and wake up in a city. Not so
with Nashville; it has arrived at its majority,
and according to American parlance, is enti-
tied to be called city, Notwithstanding our
transatlantic brethren would denominate II II
village. There are very few citses in Europe,
hope You will excuse this digre sion from
the main point to which desire to draw your
attention. According to the reading OF the
corporation statutes, it deyolyes upon you to
elect or appoint two or more deputy Aarshals,
or if your honorable body deems it expedient
to change the law upon the subject, you are
necessarily compelled to have two or three
1. I'LL -
now existing, no matter how or what you
,denominate them; and let me inform yOu here,
sirs. that there are very few men in our COM
munity, that will assume the duties OF such
officers, who are i'll every way qualified to
discharge them. and there are still fewer OF
the ctiz ms who comprehend the importance
of the post don. do not here design to re
commend any particular individuals for yonr
favorable consideration, but Kaerely TO guard
you against personal predilection, or Ireiu
dice Each of you have taken an oath TO le-
gislate to the best of yOur knowledge and
ability for the benefit of the corporaticn at
large, and not for any particular section
party or person. Therefore, as Counclmen
and Aldermen, it bthooves you, before max
ing any selection for these important posi-
tious. to canvass well the qualifications of the
applicants. First, is he honest? what has been
his antecedents, if he has disregarded his
honor and rtpudiated his obligations to ia
divduals, there is no sur, ty that he will not
do it with you. The capabilities required of
such an officer are that he should be good
accountant. that he Should write a legible
hand, that he should he affabie and polite in
his manners, courteous and kind to those Oh
whom be is required 10 serve process of any
Kind. and last. though not least in Importance,
a good collector. ~ ~ g
, And in review of the foregoing, / will
briefly give you my reasons for my assertions:
First, Why competent men will not at all times
apply for such positions is that the compcnsa-
iion is not suf1icient men are like all other
commodities in u nlarket-the best always
command the highest price, aud my expeli
euce has Taught Inc that the best is always
the cheapest. Secondy-A man whose PRE-
vious character and department did not com
mand the respect of the citizens in private
life, neither him, nor the laws he attempts to
cute viii bt ttHdiutd ~ WIN mum
ference and contempt for the law and him
who executes it. and rcproach to those VINO
placed him in office. That he should write a
legible hand, be good accountant, and a
prompt and efficient collector is obvious, that
ne may render to the Recorder and the Rev
enue Collectors that aid in enforcing cUlec
tion from delinquents, that they n, cessarily
require every year. And again l ask you to
ponder well these suggestions before you act;
not that l have any private interest to pro-
mote by the selections of any particular per
son or persons, but like other citizens should
like to see the same good judgmen, displayed
in the selection of the oflict RS to be elected,
has been shown by the selection of those that
have been chosen. ! do not in the foregoing
design to cast any reflection any officer
that is now in place. or any applicant for
ofticr; | have no doubt that competent men
are presenting themselves Tor your favor, and
out of the number 1 have no DOUBT such can
aud will be selected. My only fear was that
you might overlook, percdance, through in-
experience (as many of you have but recently
assumed the position of .'City Fath,r,'') the
Importance of the trust you are about 10
confer. CITIZEN.