The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-04
Board OF Supervisors.

A VETO FROM THE MAYOR ON THE RESOLUTION TO
INCREASE THE POLICE FORCE.
This Board met yesterday O'Clock p. ~, Super
visor Ely in the chair. The reading of the minutes
dispensed with, ard the following business trans
acted
The following communication received from tho
Mayor relative to the late resolution to increase the
police force four hundred mcn-
MAYORS OFFICE NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 1851.
To THE HONORABLE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
GEsT1EMEN-Ihc resolution passed by your honorable
body providing for further increase Of four hundred in
thai portion Of the Metropolitan Police force attached
this city, and paid from its treasury il hereby returned
with my objections.
II is but proper to consider the creation of
the commission at the head of the Metropolitan Police
force such TO confer especial claim TO favor OF the
people Of this city and county Nor has the conduct Of
majority Of its members hitherto any better title
their respect Though decided to be forbidden the
letter Of the constitution the statute under which the
police organization took effect regarded a subtle
evasion OF the fundamental law Of the State II gen
orally considered to be invasion of the principle Of
local government and has been fastened on our citizens
without their consent and in defiance OF their distinctly
expressed wishes
It's course been answerabe to its beginnings atrst
II assumed the garb of neutrality steahly changing
more and more decidedly in partsanship until now II is
VIGOROUSLY mere political engine. Its chief end is to
advance the objects Of that party the perncous
OF which have brought about the deporable dssensons
that distract and divide our unhappy country.
The business Of sustaining at this important point,
against overwhelming popular majority the interests
OF its party has been remorselessly pursued When the
personal anmosy had been gratied that led 10 the
that the Commissioners would exhibited some &C
nervous feeling toward the members Of the old police
force-than whom no more worthy and deserving class
can be found in our community Their suierings have
been treated with contemptuous Indifference and though
the Court of Appeals has in view Of the irregularities
the proceedings taken against them, pronounced judg
ment that they still policemen, the Commssio Is
moved by considerations either of sympathy Justice
ry s o ey ~ % political
that this Commission was 10 be politically neutral Your
honorable body can appreciate whether the promises thus
extended have been fulfilled
Permit me, however TO state that would not allow the
political bias the personal feeling that this Commits
mind II had the least to believe that the pro
posed increase would the acknowledged necicp-
OF the force The protection of the lives and property
Of my fellow citizens is to me the paramount consdera
tion.
The Board Of Police Comm ionors have now BODY OF
men under their command Of 400 and confess their
bty TO perform the duty required Of them With feel
ngs of pride compare this result with the acknowledge
efficiency, discipline and economical administration Of @
previous police organization. With thirds of pre-
sent number and al expense OF about $500 900 the
year. the city was guarded in a which elected
general commendaton and the police Of New York WAS
considered a model Of discipline and excellence
The extravaganza Of the present management has
up the expense for the present to 81 1872 and in
Guiding the expense OF station houses and other items
thrown the city IL not far from and half millions
The presen, addition would swell the expenditure
Estimating the mileage OF streets at 500 IL 400 can
only supply one policeman 20 patrol mile the conte-
plated Increase will only reduce this length TO Ia mile
The nenceDcy Of the force, convinced depends not
on the want Of men, but the incapaclty and misman
agemen Of the direction and the large number OF persons
attached 10 the force the Of compromising them
Tor other services than those belonging TO their fetal
duties This conclusion strengthened by the fact
the Executive head OF the department though sufficiently
able and atute, has bad previous experience In the
peculiar and important branch Of the public service TO
which he has been called.
In judsmsnt the heavy additions TO the burdens of
taxation Involved In tho passage Of the resolution, will
contribute but little 10 the efficiency OF the force from
RADICAL defects In the maiagement and therefore return
FERNANDO WOOD Mayor
Supervisor Blunt stated that before any action should
be taken on the communication, he should express his
views upon the subject but he not prepared for II
now. He did not believe AL the communication
forth.
Supervisor PrRDY in favor OF the present polcs
system, and did not think that IL deficient in power
He spoke in the most comp mentary Of the Su
perneDden and concluded with the statement that the
allegation OF partisanshp perhaps could not be denied
but the usefulness of the department could at any tmc
be proved.
Supervisor BrST stated that he had voted against the
increase but not for the that the Mayor had
given.
The communication received and ordered 10 be in
serted In the minutes.
The following weekly statement received from the
Comptroller showing the condition Of the county trea
sury:-
Balance Dececember 81 s7s 73o 70
Receipts. Observation-Disclosures. 68,734 81
Total. 81 g<5 a74 10
Payments ......................... 1881 "a
Balance December 27...,............s1e 27 ,si2 %
supervisor BUM offered resolution the effect that
The Board will allow any bills for supplies furnished
any court or county officer unless the sisr have
been authorised by the Board Of Supervisors vas
adopted.
hf,er somc unmpor,ap: busncss tho board aiIou.aed