The New York herald., 1869-02-13

Vigorous Action Of the Bonrd-Inporfnn'
Reforms Promiscd-Half the Force to be

Vigorous Action or the Bonrd-Inporsn
Reforms Promiscd-HaIf the Force to be
Posted I'm Citizens Clothcs-An Increase
of the Force Contemplated.
The popular voice OF the press and the pubic has
at last had salutary effect In certain quarters and
the administrators OF justice who, through political
influence or OF friendship, have In the past failed
to mete out justice to criminals have become
alarmed at the unanmity ofsentment that pervades
that class OF the community who demand Of those
entrusted by them with the faithful execution Of the
acts for the suppression OF crime agorous crusade
against the bond robbers murderers, thieves
ana confidence men and women who infest the me-
trop0iis The hurricane Of crime that Is sweep
ing over the city with unaDated fury has very
properly alarmed the respectable portion OF the
community, and presented to them visions Of the
fate that awaits them should check not be put
upon the operations Of the hlgilwaymen who have
sDruck terror into every household. ,
The judges Of the city-those IN whose keeping Is
the fate OF se yioators o. the lawwere foremost in
yielding cheerful compliance to the popular voice,
and the result 1as been that sentences have been
imposed upon criminals convicted OF lelones
astonishment at the power OF the law. SEN
fences OF ten, twenty and forty years. impris-
onmeaa Tor highway roonery ana IND burglary
preyed upon, society and escaped with Il few
months Imprisonment and pardon, covered with
the great seal or the Executive. vino, In some IN
stances, owes hts seat to tile influence OF these va
plres VINO live upon the sweat and blo.d OF their
lellOw ctlZeuk.
The Police Commissioners, who make their cosey
homes al No 800 Mulberry street for few hours per
day the last to obey the behess Of roc poDtt.
But they could not withstand the storm OF indlgna
tCu raised; and, finding that 1t was Jolly to disre
gard the protests OF aw-abiding citizens, who de-
maud security for their lives and property they have
been aroused 10 active exerion such deserved disre
pute had the force fallen into, owing to want OF
harmony IN the Board, growing out OF political diff
ferences, that complaints have been pouring in upon
them thick and FAST Within q few weeks the COM
missioners have bestirred themselves 10 remedy
these evils The rst action was directed Io the pre-
sent force.
For many months there has been criminal laxity
OF discipline manifested and the matter was Discus
sed in secret session OF the Board. Mr.. Manlerre,
the only republican member present during the ab-
sence OF Mr.. Acton, met the democratic members
one OF the results is that the Board decided to lay
aside all party Affiliations and for once carry the war
into Africa. the wisdom OF this decision Is seen in
the amounts OF fines infcJed upon members OF the
force during the past thirty days, compared with
previous months. The official statement shows that
the fines collected have reached the unprecedented
sum OF $4,000, against S1,s00 IN corresponding
periods These sums go into the Metropolitan Police
Life Insurance Fund, and will gladden. The hearts OF
many widow and orphan.
the effect OF this vigorous action Is also seen in
the gratifying decrease OF the weekly number Of
complaints made against officers. The average was
formerly l20 complaints per week. 1T is now but
seventy. The promptness with which the Board
has acted has struck terror into the drones the
force, who are thus touched on a tender point and
stimulated 10 more vigiiant execution OF their
duty.
a higher grade OF efficiency that the Commits
sioners have directed their attention. The great
length OF the beats-many OF them over two
mies--has convinced the Commissioners that
an increase OF the force Is Imperatively
demanded. At recent session the propriety OF an
increase was discussed, ana all were In favor of1t;
but there was question in the minds Of some as 10
the power OF the Board in the premises. The matter
was referred to Judge Bosw0rth for his opinion.
Formerly the increase OF the force was vested in the
Supervisors; but the act or 1865, Judge Bosworth
considers, transfers tue power TO the Legislature.
The Board have consequently decided to at once
apply TO that body for the passage OF bill ncreas
ing the number of otiicers and men In New FORK by
the addition OF 300 or 400, and in Brooklyn by 200.
The difficulties Of policing those business centres
where robberes are most numerous secured the
careful consideration OF the Commissioners, who are
unanimously in favor OF divesng hall OF the force OF
the conspicuous uniforms at present worn, and which
enables the diamond and bond thieves To give them
wide berth In their races for liberty. The Superin-
tendent 1t Is understood opposes this innovation
the ground that there viii be better opportunities for
the police to shrk duty but as the Commissioners
firm In their adherence to their policy, his objec
tions will no doubt he overrued. Indeed, one Of the
Commissioners yesterday stated that within few
days the ununlf0rmed police would be distributed
over the city, to capture the thieves who now shun
the unformed'men and successfully elnde those who
attempt pursuit.