The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-17
THE DETECTIVE FORCE.
HOW THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS ARE TRYING
TO SAVE THEMSELVES.


TO SAVE THEMSELVES.
The Mayor and the Board OF Police Commits ion.
ers. with the exception OF General Duryee. held
long consultation on the subject OF the detective
ONCE last evening. Commissioner voorhis Is now
the only member OF the Board who demands the
entire abolition Of the present system. President
Matseil has yielded to pressure aud cast his vote
the day before yesterday at long secret
session OF the Board to retain a major
portion OF the present detective force
and the existing demoralized state OF affairs.
General Duryee's term OF ONCE expires
In May next and 1t Is stated that he Is anxious to
remain In the department.. For this purpose an
arrangement has been proposed through which
his petition for an extenuation OF police official
life win be taken into consideration IN return for
his support OF certain OF the detectives in the
Board. Commissioner Dlsoecker Is on the side OF
the detectives, too. through political intriguing
Every possible influence has been brought to bear
on the Commissioners to induce them to sacrifice
the mass or the detectives for the benefit OF lew
Politicians OF al stripes and standing have
been poured upon them. Detectives from other
cities have been brought on to explain TO them
that all the statements male by parties against
the officers were without foundation, and had no
truth In them. The public were under the impress.
sion the detective Office required remodeing, but
sioners were of the most nattering character, and
painted the officers as
LOVELY CREATURES,
Without guile. without tricks, aud full OF single.
ness OF purpose and warmth for the public inter-
estS SUFFICIENT TO burn up any other man than q
detective. 1t becomes painfully pathetic to listen
TO the charming stories related or them. Their
humility and modesty and poverty are positively
Spartan In sheir purity and reality. The retirement
In which they are content to pass their unevent.
full lives, devoted to the public veal, Is tcar.ex-
tracing In the proiundity OF It's generosity. Upon
the altar OF their countrS's good they have LAID
the sacred calf Nothing golden about that caliex.
cept the lovely golden halo that exhumes from It's
consuming members-of their precious DAYS. and
beneath the animal they nave built up fragrant
fires Of noble resolve, unremittng zeal a hearty
detestatiOn or the wickedness or the world and
the depravlty OF man, ana an uniinchlng irmness
T to pursue ss,on the n eydGer and the criminal
brgh. and grand enthusiasm, and 1t burns
on and w!il continue to Name, sending forth per.
iumes III the air, while they are lett office. The
poor fellows have no horses. no buggles, no cabs,
no carriages, no wagons, no blankets, no Gla-
the delights OF the eartn are theirs, none Oh the
Injuries OF tins great city belong to them NO
+ Italian string bands in the streets. NO amber
wne nor ruby bourbon ever creeps INTO
s sos and days Al
over and above all. and first ana last.
my never steep, their eyes are always on the
watch. They eaten good many thieves, but they
90 IL in such q hum0le, modest, shrinking from.
notorIety sort OF way tnat no one hears OF 1t.
II Tor moment one OF them snuts one eye he
would the streets with the otner ali the time
with double vigilance 1t Is q well established
TACT they never wear gloves or put their hands in
their pockets so that lney shall be forever ready
TO grab the scGundrel and the tniel. They are SO
industr Gus. unlatieulng. that lew or them
able to Keep the labor OF the city within their
own circle. But few 0 them exist and the people
think III that lew there is a suinclency. At the
hn
satisfied to see less OF them, or indeed to see
them vanish altogether, Notwithstanding all their
good qualities. 1t Is an unreasonable desire on
the part OF the public, to be sure, and the public
win. no doubt: get snuboed Tor its presumption
people who go to make up the community OF the
city OF New YORK THINK The Commissioners OF Pc.
serve their interests, while the commissioners
own are lying watinQ for attention. they are MIS-
taken, "a tney VIII soon ascertain. The commu-
nifty snCud be satisfied and grateful to have dc.
tect!ves and commissioners such as now flourish
AFFAIRS 1t is not intended TO give them TIE puolic
may have expectations, but
= THEY WILL BE DISAPPOINTED
in this matter ar all events Sucn police force
at least the detective part OF ii-cannot be mod
elicd after the popular ideal. They have no right,
no business to nave ideals; they must put them
away. kind of sentiment has dawned upon the
public mind lately rnat perhaps they would ike to
do away with the present board OF Commission.
ers; but the Commissioners have something 10
say IN that matter and so have many country poll
tcians VINO like to come to to wa once IN q while ana
be taken around to see the sums anu the thieves
ana the filth by one OF the commissioners oe,ec.
tive friends. 1t IS limited the pubic don't like
mems hearts are IN their pockets. 1t Is said; but
the detectives do, and the public have no business
TO complain. What were the public made for but to
supply material tor the detectives and the Com.
mlssloners. The Commissioners, though they are
incllaed to be magnanlmOus Toward thus nuisance
Ola pubic, ore resolved to be so with the pubic
nuisance. AS u question OF policy they deem 1t
good practice TO throw sop to the general
craving. They What least such Is the present
proRramme-1ing out " office the mass OF neon.
petents that lncumber the bureau. aud retain
only those "thar can't DO done witnOurn About
twenty men In the squad are merely policemen
taken from post duty and put into that place to
possess the first requirements OF detective.
should be sent on post duty ii they wish
IN the world" Post duty or absolute eSate
retirement Is what should happen to the entire
stan In the public interests and the public wei.
they are not likely to DC now Ii this is not
brought about there IS power will answer the
pubic call. The Board OF Police has made many
misIakes-the people remember every one Of
them-,t can't afford to commit this last error at
this stage unless the Commissioners are ready
ITO step down and OUT" One member OF the
hand, the other members must grasp firm hold
OF the handle and all must make clear sweep
and sweep together or they Will be swept out IN
place OF their Droteges superintendent Walliug
is not In an over secure position. lie has Shout
dered the detective office and viii IND 1t is load
that lew men could carry. The battle In the
set down Tor the final decision IN the matter. All
the commissioners but Mr.. Vo0rhis propose TO re-
tain IN the detective office Captain Irving detec
tives Farley, sampson, Elder McD0uga King,
Field and Silleck. The balance OF the twenty
seven Will be offered up q holocaust TO the
hungry people.
TROTTING AT THE HIPPODROME.