The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-10

HK HERALD, WEDNESD4
confidence His honesty would never be dis
cussed, because il is of that robust structure
which needs no propping. He is precisely tn
candidate for the exigency, because the SOUND
public sentiment of both parties demands tn,
re-estabishment of party lines and party re-
sponsibility, and Judge Church has never con
tributed to demoralize the democratic party BY
pursuing will-of-the-wisp reform in search
of popularity outside the democratic organiza-
ton. The reform" movement has proved to
be such nauseous humbug in its results that
no democrat who weakened the party by join
ing it would be regarded with favor as q demo-
cratic candidate for Governor Church, who
is so incomparably strong and popular in the
rural districts, would match admirably in the
canvass with Mr.. Duncan or Recorder Hackett
for Mayor. Such conjoint ticket would enable
the party to put its best foot forward both in
city and country. Such q combination could
count on success even against Governor Dix.
The Police Board In Commotion.
The Board of Police Commissioners il just
now in very excited condition. The way in
which the business of the department has
hitherto been transacted does not please Com
missioner Disbecker, who demands explana-
tons that ore not always easy to supply and
who proposes resolutions which render two of
his associates, Messrs. Gardner and Charlick,
very uncomfortable. As Commissioner Dur
zee stands by Mr. Disbecker the proceedings
Of the Board are spicy and interesting. Yes
terday Mr.. Disbecker introduced resolution
requesting the opinion Of the Corporation
Counsel as to the legality Of the appointment
of fourteen or fifteen patrolmen, who were
crowded into the force Of the Westchester
towns, just prior to January !, in order that
they might be transferred to the city. AT
the prior meeting of the Board Mr.. Disbecker
moved the appointment Of a finance commit
tee to examine and audit bills-a duty which
has hitherto been performed by the treasurer,
Mr.. Charlick. The resolution was adopted,
Mr.. Charick ytoutly refusing to vote,
although required to do SO by order of the
Board. Among the bills referred was one of
Mr.. Samuel London for over seven thousand
dollars. It does not appear for what this bill
was incurred, but it will be well for the
Finance Committee to inquire whether it is in
accordance With the law which requires
bids for all expenditures over one thousand
dollars.
Mr.. Havemeyer's Police Commissioners
are no sooner out Of the hands Of one
investigating committee than they find
themselves in the grasp Of another. The
State Assembly scarcely has time to put on
record its condemnation Of their incapacity
and neglect as heads Of the corrupt Street
Cleaning Bureau before the State Senate steps
in and orders q new overhauling Of the depart
ment during the recess. When the Legisla-
ture adjourns Tammany Hall takes up the
subject and drags the unfortunate Commits
sioners before a judge to answer to complaints
against their official conduct The examina-
ton closes only to find the Board of Aldermen
demanding of the Mayor their suspension and
removal, and this action of the Common
Council is quickly followed by the indict-
ment Of two Of the Commissioners, Charlick
and Gardner, by the Grand Jury
Of the General Sessions, on four distinct
charges of alleged felonious violation of the
Election law.
The unsatisfactory condition of the Police
and other public departments is no doubt at
tributable to the wretched system of govern
ment imposed upon the people of New York
under the misused name of reform" Tho
late President of the Police Department was
retained in Office by the Weed republicans
one of the parties to the reform alliance Mr..
Gardner was placed on the Commission for
the Custom House republican organization,
another of the contracting reformers. Mr..
Duryee was chosen as the representative of
the reform democracy, and naturally became
powerless in the Commission. Mr.. Charlick
was made Commissioner to please himself and
the Mayor and to forward their twin political
and personal interests. Mr.. Russell was a
respectable piece of patchwork inserted in a
corner, where he attracted but little attention
and could harmlessly indulge his inclination
for polite letter writing commission thus
composed could not be efficient and could
scarcely be honest 1t had in its composition
the seeds OF jealousy, dscord, scheming
and counter scheming and the sharpest and
most INSCRIPTIONS man was certain to obtain
the controlling power. The head of such a
department could not be thus demoralized
and inharmonious without affecting thu dis
cipline of the whole body. Appointments on
the force have been simply a matter of divi-
sion between the Commissioners Smith $
men, Gardner's men or Charlick's men have
become the guardians of the lives and prop
erty OF the citizens. What wonder that
policemen's clubs and revolvers are the terror
of peaceable citizens, and that police investi-
cations are followed by Grand Jury indict-
ments
There is, doubtless great deal of political