New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-03
THE POLICE,

A difficulty has arisen between the Board of
Police Commissioners and the General Superinten-
dent The point at issue is the detailing of individ
ual men from the regular service of the police to
special duty such, for instance attending at the
Courts. We do not know how many men are thus
detailed but the number cannot be very large. AS
the labor of detailed man is all performed in the
day time, and he is able to go home to his family at
night, while the pay remains the same, the stua-
ton is desirabe and it is usually given as a reward
for good conduct. When Mr. Pilsbury took Office,
the power of making these details was given to him,
to be exercised, as we believe, only with the appro
val of the President Of the Board, Mr.. Stillman.
Some four weeks ago misunderstanding occurred
with regard to the removal or transfer Of the Cap
tain of ore of the Precincts. The General Supern-
tendent wished him to be transferred to another
Precinct The President declined to consent.
This led to a rather animated explanation, and not
long afterward the Board determined to withdraw
from Mr. Pilsbury the right of making the details.
Thereupon, it is understood, that he determined to
resign; and we believe his resignation is now in the
hands of a member of the Board, though not yet
presented.
1t is thus upon matter of punctilio rather than
of real Importance that Mr.. Pilsbury throws up his
commission. We shall consider his retirement as a
misfortune, for he possesses some very valuable
qualifications for the Office. He is q man of great
energy, great force of will, and thorough honesty
though hardly of sufficient breadth of intelligence,
OF of sufficient tact, and mental cultivation, to make
the best possible Chief of Police. Under his
administration the Police has been improved in
| character, and in efficiency; and it would be to
! the public advantage that he should remain in
| the place. But there is fact in his tenure of
| Office that will diminish our regret at his loss.
We refer to the complicated and improper nature
of the arrangement by which his compensation
is secured to him. The salary of the General
! Superintendent is fixed by law at $4,000;
but Mr. Pilsbury was unwilling to undertake the
duties for less than $40 900. 1t is understood that
the difference was made up to him BY continuing to
him portion of his previous salary Superintend-
ent at Wards Island, and another salary as Super
intendent of the Albany Penitentsry. At least
such statement was authOritatyey put forth some
time ago in The Herald, and has never been con-
tradicted, ss it ought to have been If it was not
true. This, we say, is an improper arrangement,
| and il should be brought to an end.
We are not prepared to say that $4,000 Is suf'
fcient compensation for the General Superintend-
ent though we are sure that the right man ought to
be had for much less than $4,000. But whatever
the salary there should be about it nothing candeS-
tine. Nor should the General Superintendent be
burdened with any other absorbing duties. Hs
should not, at the same tme be the head of great
emigraut hospital, and of penitentiary hundred
and fifty miles away from New-York. Whether
Mr.. Pisbury adheres to his resignation, or finally
concludes to abandon bis point of honor and stay in
the place, these things ought to be put on different
| footing
| In these remarks we do NOT mean to condemn
| the course Of the Commissioners in appointing
| him. No doubt they did the best they could under
| the circumstances. The Police was in a bad con-
don, and the man to extricate it and bring 1t into
| order must be had. But nOwt that considerable
improvement has been accomplished, this abnormal
relation should be brought to close Besides, its
by no means certain that in this great city there is
| no other man beside Mr.. Pilsbury who is capable
of dischargng the duties Of this most important Of
| fee with benefit to the public and honor to himself
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