The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-18
c,rV INTELLHGENC q =.
yr asds,.ns, Local Es,O, sss TnSS Page
TIfs POLICE.

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Ise ESes a. s e ss 6pSs Sc Ss ::
hhh.S.TTsiisan ne Deiosation frOn this CITY. -
m ia conceded by majority OF the citizens OF Ph-
.n.inbta tkat there should be change not only
the police force, but also In It's managemenc <at
this change Is sso Ss ,ndTSto Of the present de-
viii more than amply TESTIFY. since tne ISL Of Janu-
sFy last we have been called upon 70 Srro cre crime
~ a, entrely attributable to the gentle oan who now
occupies the MayOralty chair nor TO M the believers
on the contrary, is simply, VIII ,sty and trny to be
ascrbed TO certain set or pc ltlcal cgle which, in
stead Of te Mayor has corol of Dhe police appoint
ments What the result at the power
placed in their hands has boen, we need
NOS again reitesate, but what we do
iations that win at place us beyond the bounds
Of any similar and almost criminal mismanagement
various plans have been suggested as a remedy for
she calamity with which we have been afflicted for
some months past the principal one OF which has
taken me shane @ % rSce force AT
bnls all tending towards the same purpose, pre-
sented by Senator Henszey. One provided for the
another provided that the commissioners should
consist OF the Mayor and four gentlemen elected by
Councils; and another named the commissioners
and divided the city into five districts, the commits
sioners to be elected by the people.
A caucus Of the Republican members OF the Legis-
lature resulted in the selection OF the bill by which
inc Mayor and four gentlemen elected by Councils
should be constituted the Board of Commissioners.
Phis was reported in the House, where 1t readily
passed, but on being brought up In the Senate was
defeated, nve Republican members thereof voting
against IL.
Since the October election there have been several
meetings of the Republican members OF the next
legislature, at which the subject of again intro
ducing Metropolitan Police bill has been fully dis
Cussed. That point having been finally settled, the
question OF how the commissioners should be Sc
lected arose, and 1t has been the cause OF animated
discussions. While a number II the members have
advocated an bipartisan board, Others have looked
at the matter in strictly political sense and seemed
unwilling 10 favor bill in any other shape viz, that
the Republican party IL in power and 1t should nave
all the advantages to be obtained from the recent
decided victories which 1t has gained.
The meetings OF late have been frequent In conse-
guence Of the short time which will eapse before
the organization OF the Legislature, and desire that
me delegation should present united front when
the measure is introduced. Yesterday morning a
final caucus held at which the outline OF bill
was decided upon similar in construction to the one
presented at the last session, naming the board in
the bill and dstricting the city for the election OF
Successors to the original commissioners. AS this
measure s one of considerable importance, we pre-
sent the main features OF the BILL with the altera-
tons as adopted yesterday.
Is provides that (here i've names are 80 be In
serted and one Of the gentlemen selected Is to be
DEMOCRACY shall be constituted Board OF Commits
siOnerB, who shall serve until their successors shall
be elected as provided for hereafter. vacancy
arising shall be filled by the other members OF the
board.
The city shall be divided into Eve districts for the
election Of Police Commissioners composed as fol-
I0ws viz. The First, Seventh, Twenty-fourth,
Twenty SIXTH and Twenty-seVeHth wards shall con-
stitute the First district The Second, Third,
sttnte the Second district. The Eighth, Ninth,
TENTH Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth wards
shall constitute the Third district The Fifteenth,
sixteenth, Seventeenth Eighteenth, and Twentieth
wards shall constitute the Fourth district. The
Nineteenth, Twenty-hrst, Twenty-second, Twenty
third, Twenty-hfth, ana Twenty eighth wards shall
constitute the Fifth district. The i've named shall
draw for the various terms from one to five years
and at the October election thereafter one commits
sioner shall be elected for five years. Within ten
days after the signing Of the bill, the board shall
organize and elect Superintendent Of Police, tc
serve for five years and during good behavior. The
board shall also appoint all the police officers, the
Fire Marshal high constables and detectives, anG
the committing magistrate of the Central Station
The remaining sections provide for the payment o.
the force, and prescribe the duties OF the Superin
tendent etc.
BY this bill it will be that the board will nov
consist OF four Republicans and one Democrat anC
the districts arranged that hereafter the poll
hca complexion of the board will be the same.