The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-11
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY IL. 1860.

In our columns, this morning. will be found
to the Legislature for its approval, entitled,
respectively, can Act to establish and main
"tain a permanent police in the city OF Baltl-
"more, and to define and enforce the powers and
'tduties thereof" and "An Act to regulate cleo
'tions in the city of Baltimore"
Ills evident that these laws have been most
carefully prepared, and considering the innumer-
ob,e a;ficnlties with which this subject was sur
rorrdod we have no doubt that q vast deal Of
finn. and labor has been expended on them. Con-
stitutiona objections were to be avoided, and in
consistent legislative provisions reconciled at al
most every step, and nothing but an unusual COM
bnation of patience, intelligence and learning
could have produced acts so practical and perfect.
The latter our space will not allow us to alude to
more specifically. The main features of the Police
Bill are such rs must insure, so far as laws cam the
efficiency of the force for which it provides. As the
corps would be no longer under the control of one
MON II could never be used to advance his own
norsonal or party ends, nor could he conspre for
that purpose, with those who direct it. As the
Novor and the Commissioners would enter upon
their Offices at different times and probably under
dissimar auspices, there is little possibility that
they would ever have in view the same evil object,
nor could the former venture to confde to such a
BOARD the motives or plans which he would i'm
mart to his own chosen councillors. With regard
TO the men who are to be enrolled, every precau-
lion is taken to make the service such as compe-
tent and honest officers most likely to en-
hall :. ,,.:11
have the assurance that he is not being brought
into companionship with many disreputable
scoundrels, but that he is securing for himself an
honorable and responsible position. As he is not
to be appointed on political grounds so he cannot
be dismissed without good cause, and after full
hearing If he proves himself to be capable and
faithful he is assured OF his situation for at least
five years, with a prospect of promotion during
that period or at all events he is almost certain
of being reappointed at the expiration OF his
term In addition to this he is to receive assist
ance in case he is disabled in the discharge of his
duty and should he be killed under such cir
cumstances, his family is to be relieved from
immediate want. Under these conditions, quail
fed officers ought to be readily obtained for the
proposed salary of five hundred and twenty dol
lars per annum, for it is to be remembered, that
those may be accepted as policemen whose igno-
rance of any of the mechanic arts might preclude
them from always finding other employment.
We can imagine no other plan for the organize
ton of an honest and effective police force, better
than that which has been presented to the Legis-
lature and it cannot but promote vastly the peace
and prosperity of this city, if it is fairly carried
out That it will be so, if it shall become law,
we have full confidence. Whoever the Commits
sioners may be, they will be in measure COM
PEELED TO act rightly even if disposed to do other
wise; for they can accomplish nothing except
with the assent of their colleagues, and they are
liable to be exposed or checked the instant they
attempt wrong We sincerely trust the Legis-
lature will take this Act into favorable considera-
ton, and permit it to be tried here precisely as it
stands. There is nothing in it that can be OBJ
jectieuable to any man who has the good govern
ment of Baltimore at heart, and who has no
partisan aims to the success Of which continu-
ance of lawless violence is necessary. Security
and order are needed above all other things not
chiefly for the rich and the strong, but for the
obscure, the poor and the friendless. If the
former are injured through their property
by the prevailing outlawry, the latter are
assailed through what is far dearer to
them-their privileges and persons The COM
munity asks for peace and protection, and it be-
leves such Police Bill rs is now proposed will
secure it these. If it is to be disappointed, then
is its future almost hopeless one.