, 1873-01-31


The issue is now plainly and distinctly 4 pre-
eentod to the people Of Chicago, whcther tho
City Government is to be conducted BY the
gamblers, thieves, pot-houees, law-broakers1 and
pimps, represented by tie old Board OF FL ,lice
Commissioners, or by the Mayor, in the inte rest
is no middle ground. Every citizen must tako
sides with the gamblers and their confode t:ates
Oh the police, or with the Mayor and tho other
officers OF the Law. In such contest, fhore
caa be no neutrality. We have City Go: rem
ment to execute the laws, or NO have not. We
are law-abiding and q lnw-e1ecuting pc bple.
We have not erected over US an ut thor
ity representing the gamblers and pot-h onses'
Of the city We have not yet adopted the iAro-'
table as the symbol Of Chicago nor selected
what laws 1hall be enforced, aud By whom tht y
laau DO enforced.
1t is understood that the gamblers End I'll cir
coufederates Of the city are prepared to exptnd
$4,000 to keep Mr.. nokke, and Mr. Reno, nd
Mr. Sheridan in Office. Against that $50: 900 ne
place tho Law and the moral sense and virtue OF
the people OF Chicago. Tho Issue is to he tested,
whether the gamblers money is superior to he
Law, and whether tho Common Council the
Courts, sad the Legislature will be overawed in
their duty to the public by this array againnt the
public safety The Police Commissioners .have
forced this conflict. They hnve precipitated
the: ISSUE whether Law, Order, and De
concy shalI be enforced aud maintained
in Chicago, or whether tho police
OF Chicago shall continue to be the corrupt, III
efficient, and disgraceful body to which theuo
Commissioners and their predecessors have rc-
duccd it. j.: ..
There is not an informed man in this city who
does not know that the Police Board has long
been an intolerable nnisance. There has been
no Commissioner of Police for several years,
who had any regard for his own character, who
has not voluntarily retired in disgust from tho
Board, satisfied OF its imbeci1ity end disgraceful
character. The recent conduct Of the Board has
been based upon the assumption that the Re-
publican party OF Chicago would not dare to
offend class OF voters who insist On violating
the laws. Holding the threat over that party,
these Commissioners have forced into
the police force drunkards, loafers pimps,
and other men who could not mako
decent living bS work, and who seek the po-
liceman's uniform for the idlenese and corrupt
privileges it securea them. We question wteth-
er the Republican party ia in tho least terrified
by any threats Of that kind. It is responsible !
for the government OF this city, and cannot |
afford to install the gambling fratern1ty as the
Municipal Executive, nor to place the police
forco under orders to prevent the execution Of |
the Law. Tho Republican party has nothing to |
gain, but everything to lose, by such proceed |
ing and Ws very much mistake the sentiments ]
OF the whole people Of Chicago if there ia not q
general expression from all decent, lev-abiding !
men, Of all parties, sustaining tho Mayor, to
whom the Law gives chief control Of: the police
force OF the city.
The unanimous and enthusiastic vote OF tho |
Board Of Trade, yesterday, in favor Of tho main !
tcnance Of Lawan Order, aud approving tho re-
moral Of the Police Commissioners, NC haze no
question Represents the general sentiment OF the
public.