Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-28

TEE NaSHT PoLIcE.-Since the organi-
zation Of the present police Of the city Of
Nashville, Mayor Brown has been congrat-
ulaaed BY numerous citizens upon the high
character Of the men placed under him for
the preservation of law and order. And on
the other hand tie Mayor has frequently
oompliraented the night police for their good
conduct as gentlemen and officers, and
know from personal acquaintance, that
more faithful, efficient and honorable set Of
watchmen has seldom been appointed 10
watch over the lives and property Of the
good people of this city. Not only have
they become a terror 10 thieves and muir
derers, bat they have also made quite ia
vorable impression upon the freedmen and
the freedmen's bureau Even the 10th
Regulars respect them, and at this time the
civil and military and bureau departments
are all moving on harmoniously TO the one
grand object Of all peace and safety. Truth
and Justice will sustain me in every word
have said and much more in regard to the
character and efficiency Of the night police,
and vet truth compels me 70 say that they
are the most poorly paid set Of men that
serve the public in the city of Nashville
| call upon the city government TO look
into this subject. What is the nature of the
duties which these men perform? All night
long are they compelled to patrol the streets
and lanes and alleys Of the city. Through
wet and dry, through wind and storm they
must have an eve that never winks, and a
resolution that never fails. Their health is
constantly endangered by the malaria that
rises during the night from the filthy local
titles of the city. And what is their COM
pensation2 Two dollars and seventy-fve
cents per night. beg you to think of it,
two dollars and seyenty-fiye cents count up
the cost Of house rent and provisions in this
city, and recollect that the Waterman must
clothe himself in the very best material to
protect him from the inclemency of the
weather. He must arm himself also at his
own expense. He's precluded from every
other pursuit, and Then tell me how he is TO
live on his wages.
make no exaggerated statement when
say the thing is impossible No man who
has a wife and two children can live on so
small a pittance. Now, considering the
value Of the service these men perform, the
high character they sustain before the world
and the risk and danger to life and health
which they hazard, | can see no good reason
why they should be CARVED or driven from
their post. But, perhaps, it will be said
that perquisites compensate or make up the
watchman's wages. / reply, that perquisites
depend upon a contingency which may or
may not happen; while meat and bread
must be had, perquisites or no perquisites
and besides, it is found by experience that
the best wards pay little or no perquisites,
and the more quiet wards pay none at all.
Moreover, see there is bill before the
Board of Mayor and Aldermen to give per-
quisites to the day police, who already re-
ceive fifteen hundred dollars per annum be-
sides considerable amounts as per centage on
collections, etc. Now, if this measure should
be passed into law, l apprehend it will re-
duce the income of the night police from
perquisites still lower.
| make no complaint against the day po-
lice; they are an able and worthy set of
officers, and | rejoice to see them well paid
Neither do | censure the city government
for the present unfortunate predicament of
the night police. They, perhaps, honestly
believed when the present corps we're APP
pointed, that the perquisites would be am
ply sufficient, in connection with their fixed
salary, TO support them. In this, however,
all concerned are disappointed. The reign
of anarchy and disorder has passed, we hope
forever, and with it the bulk of perquisites
oil the police Ofhcer. But the reign OF nigh
rents, and high fuel, and high provisions is
still upon us, and / candidly believe that
the night police are suffering more from the
consequences than any other class of the
community.
/ ask, in the name of common sense, and
common justice, why should the night po-
lice receive less compensation than the day
police? Are not their services as important
TO The safety and well being of the city, and
gre not their duties ten-fold more enerous?
These are truths palpable as the sun in
Heaven, and from them we appeal to the
city fathers and to the public TO relieve the
night police by timely increase of their
wages.
| hold that policeman ought to receive
compensation at least equal to the wages of
first class mechanics. This was so in form
er years when both received 81 80 per
deim. Now | understand journeymen re-
ceive from fourto five dollars per day. Give
the watchmen the same, and let the per-
quisites go into the city treasury, and we
are content. ). A. DAVIDSON.