Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-02-23

'~H'T'"eioh NhiNh1 hHbhi piotN'No "
securing the peace, creates discomfort
dissatisfaction and disturbance. /
arouses in the bosom of every mar
who knows his own inherent right
the most determined opposition, anc
frequently the most uncompromisinl
hostility TO every movement by whici
he perceives his liberty is abridged
and makes him wnge 4 continuon,
warfare against all whom he conceive'
70 be ;hc enemies of liberty, whether
cpsh or concealed.
A republican government can not
long exist under partial and unequa
laws And TO perpetuate this rcpub
hc with all the blessings which cluster
around it, the State Legislature must
enact laws, bearing alike upon all
s,;ssh equal and exact justice to all
without prejudice or partiality.
A minority in the State undertaking
to legisate to perpotuate its power
by the passage Of laws unequal, un
just and oppressive toward the minor.
ity, is not republican in form nor dem.
ocratic in principle, and must soon
sink into Imperialism.
For these and other reasons / can
not give the executive s9nction ia
this or any other act which has ten
dency TO take from the people any
portion of their Inherent rights. Tho
election Of every local officer charged
with the duties of executive authori-
ty, or with the execution OF the laws,
should be submitted TO direct popu-
lar vote; and | can see no reason why
the people of Philadelphia should be
made an exception TO this rule, and bc
deprived Of the right of choosing by
their own votes who shall constitute
the commissioners Of police, as well as
who shall be their mayor, select and
common council, or their representa-
tives in the legislature.
1t is an elementary axiom that eve
ry government should have some re.
sponsible head and in republican
government that responsibility should
be to the people, the source Of all po.
litical power
Heretofore the mayor Of Philadel-
phia has occupied this position of trust
aud responsibility To him the people
looked, and had right to look, for
the proper execution of the laws aud
the preservation of the peace and
good order Of the city lfbe has faied
TO meet their just expectations, they
have their remedy at the ballot box
and It is fair to presume they will
avail themselves OF il at the first law
ful opportunity. Would it improve
the existing condition of things to d.
vide this responsibility among six
commissioners, OF whom the mayor
would be but oneY 10 whom would
they be responsible for proper dis.
charge Of dutyy Hardly TO the legis.
ature ofthc whole State, which chang
tors OF the ciIy, Tor they did not elect
them aud cannot, under the machinery
Of the bill, choose q majority for their
successors lor three years. nor n new
board for Eve years Divided respon
sibility in government is political
heresy. and nearly related to no re.
sponsibility. What kind Of an army
would that be which had six com
manding officers. all of equal rank Z
And what sort Of a State adlninislra-
ton would that be emanaling from six
Governors, all Of equal power and au.
thorityl And what good could be
expected Of that police organization
which is 10 be governed by six equal
and irresponsible commissioners
1.-THE people of Philadelphia desire
Metropolitan Police Bill let the
commissioners be of their own choos
ing. at tho ballat-box. Let them be-
"of the people, for the people and by
the people"
To my mind these objections are
insupciibc, aud the bill is therefore
retured for further consideration.
JoHN W. GEARY.