Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-10-14

As TO the Police system, an inquiry
comes to US from Nashville respecting
the wish of our people. We can only
suggest u own views, and those we
have heard expressed, which we in
cline to believe are rather in favor o.
retaining the present system, under
proper regulations and restrictions.
it is generally conceded, we think,
that the present system has proven
more efficient for the suppression and
prevention of crime than the old; but
il should be subjected to the supervis-
ion OF the Board Of Mayor and Alder
men. The tax levied for its support
should go into the city treasury. AT
present il goes directly into the hands
of the Chief of Police and his assist
ant Commissioners, who are supreme
as to its disposition, and who are so
far irresponsible as to be under no
jurisdiction superior to themselves, to
whom or to the public the disposition
Of monies raised by taxation is re-
CURED to be reported. The possession
of such a power is subject TO abuse,
whether, in fact, il is so abused or not.
The opportunity ought not to be af-
fOrded to men, honest or dishonest, to
squander the money wrung from
the people by taxation. But the
Police as well as other officers, should
be held TO all proper account and pub
licity. Complaints sometimes are
made of unnecessary violence being
used in making arrests, and Of unne-
ceSsarily harsh treatment to accused
persons, who, on trial are afterwards
proved innocent, or for want of proof
(Which is the same thing acquitted.
For such abuses, the Commissioners,
officers and members of the police
force, should be held to strict account.
The constitutional rights of the citi-
zcIrs should not be allowed to be tram
pied on, under any p~retense. And the
whole matter Of policing the city,
with the expenditure, should be sub
jet to rigid inspection and regulation.
We think that our Nashville tele-
graphic correspondent is, in the main,
right in his view of the wishes of our
citizens. SGE
In the city we are informed there
are now about thirty magistrates to do
what ten efficient men could do a
great deal better. We understand
that it costs the county thirty thou
sand dollars a year for magistrates
fees in cases Of commitment by mag
istrates for different ofenses, Of which
the accused parties are afterwards ac-
quilted. These officers receive their
pay from the county treasury all the
same, whether convictions take place
or not. And a motive is thus fur
nished for malpractice, which, what
ever the truth as to its existence.
should be withdrawn. The old sys-
TEN of County Court, with its Judge
and magistrates is not as good a a
control of those matters by County
Commissioners, if the right men are
selected. The reduction of the num-
Der to three salaried, well qualified
and respectable men, would be an i'm
provement, the Mayor and Chairman
Of the Board of Aldermen being inside
&C oBicio members Of the Board. Pub
licity should be given to their proceed
ings, provisions made for their prompt
removal for malpractice, and bonds
required in amounts amply sufficient
to secure fidelity. With some such
changes in the Police system, and the
Board of County Commissioners, we
think we shall have a better manage
ment of affairs than by return to the
old systems. And, so far as we know, |
this view will be ~eoncurred in. But
if there is objection, and a desire for a
different or more sweeping change in
these respects, it would be well to
hold a public meeting and discuss the
subject.