Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-24


when this measure was 6rst mooted we were dis
posed % doubt rs expcdiency; but upon closer IN
specton OF the provisions Of the Din. taking into
account the t4sk thai it's not party measure We
have come irresstibly to the conclusion that IL
Is perhaps the only plan, least the only prac-
teabe one 70 rid this city Of thepreseni defective
system. which has not Only fastened itself upon
Us for all time. bat i TOO heavily taxing the citi
zens. without bene6iing & or them in the least
degree. There i no city OF similar size where
the eomphi0t l. 20 universal against the police
government. a in Indian spolis.
This could be aid Of other branches or de
partments OF the city government, and the defect
in the Police arises from the fact hat they con-
troll their own election. change Of parties
might or might not remedy this diffienIty-alI
depending upon the character of tie men placed
in poser.
This city is rapidly increasing in population
and wealth. and more rapidly (truth compels Us
TO .ssyi ia immortality. vice. corruption and
crime. Red handed villains stalk abroad in mid
day and commit the most heinous as well as petty
crimes by night, unmolested, undetected and
UNPUBLISHED. You can see nightly citizens
walking home in the middle OF the streets TO
avoid some lurking thief Clerks of Mercantile
establishments are followed. watched and logged.
stores are pIundere,l. private dwellings are con
tinually entered and robbed No man with money
on him j. safe. Parents who have BOYS growing
mp well understand "there is something rotten in
Denmark - There is no citizen who would not
unless he is interested in the political efforts of
the present police favor the change and reforma-
ton which il is the object Of this bill TO ac-
complish. We are assured by those who haze
the ledge. that while the New York sys-
TEN gotten up a party measure. its work
ings have been 80 favorable as to recommend it's
being pernrnentIy adopted. This is true of
Baltimore. IL IS claimed that the police under
a State law is the best ever known in that city
and il has been celebrated for disturbances, mobs
and riots We are informed that the police of
Baltimore saved Maryland TO the Union. No
higher tribute be paid 10 the efficiency of the
system aud the character OF the men " no direct it
Some may object to the bill now before our
Legislature a. being unconventional 1t pro-
poses general law. hence that ground of oppo-
sitiol Is removed. Others may oppose it upon
the supposfticf that Il will add 10 the burdens of
It,. city government All must admit that the
present system has proven worthless. We are
advised that the cost of the one proposed will be
bu; little than the old one. with the ad
vantage OF proving value fully equal to
the expense The officers created by the
bill will I've the only increased ex-
pense over the old system. Shall we continue to
paw SIS. 0OD yearly for Police system which has
no value as such whatever. or add 81 900 more
and secure protection to life and property in the
metropolis OF IndianaY
The names OF the men suggested in the bill as
Commissioners OF Police is "a sufficient guarantee
that il Is not Intended party measure. and
their character as citizens is an assurance that
they will inaugarate perfect and economical
system. We hope the Legislature will pass
the bill at it, present session and give the OPP
portunity TO make q much needed reformation
in our Police system which will place in that
regard upon par with New York and Balti
more.