New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-02
The Chief of Police.

lice are without excuse for not electlng
superintendent. When General Badger
fell, the force was left without head, and
no substitute during his painful illness gave
courage or unity to it's component parts 1t
was felt then that he would never again be
its commander, and though he, perhaps. Of
all others. was best able to bring the MEM
bers together once more shoulder to shoul
der, another was properly to succeed him.
1t was right that it should be SO. A faith
ful servant, his work was done, and he
should have his rev ard Of promotion. 1t
was considerate in the board, and did no
harm, that it should delay election till his
health enabled him to appear at head
quarters.
Then there was in no mans mind the idea
he would remain, but if it had been possible
the regeneration of the force would have
been the work of hours instead of months
At that time the contest among those who
wished to succeed him had become bitter.
Candidates of all sorts; of all shades of
partisan, political and social opinion; with
or without administrative ability, of every
conceivable kind: some with only military
knowledge, and others with police expe-
rience, ranging from sometime honorable
connection to an acquaintance similar to
that Of Micawbe as defendant in civil
process, jcstled each other, and smothered
each member of the board with the protests
of their friends.
One man alone had nothing to say, for
his record spoke louder for him than any
modest word of his could do.
1t was under the Sc circumstances that the
board were reasonably excused from sup
plying General Badgers place. They, too,
were enough to pardon the inconsistency Of
his accepting his new and well deserved
appointment, and still perform his old
duties. But this has now become an injus-
tice to him, and it is unfair that the boards
inaction should longer force him to act in
this double capacity. His presence, while
insuring faithful performance of duty from
the individual members, gives them no en-
couragement, for they are aware they must
sometime lose him, and they are doubtful
who is to succeed.
His enforced continuance now has the
contrary effect his actual position once
had. Uncertainty is now keeping the force
degraded, just as year ago bad appoint
ments, unWise promotions, broken promises,
unwarranted degradation, demoralzing for
eigu, bat potent Influences and lack of pay,
withered its strength, rusted its support
70 Fall <D b,+ u,
force is minus all but individual merit is
undisguisable. The ambition of the Off
GERS now seems entirely confined to an effort
to avoid censure, and their only desire is to
get their pay. If they can not retain Gen
erai Badger, they are Indifferent who com
iDands them, because they suppose
stranger will be selected.
Until tins feeling is altered the police is
an inert collection of individuals, and not
INIT. To change this it is only necessary
for the board to act promptly and wisely in
the selection of superintendent. And to
give confidence to the force, the commits
sioners must give their confidence to mem
Der of it.
1t is saying nothing derogatory to any
other officer to assert that at the time Gen
of his subordinates who was thought OF as
his successor 1t was the one who had done
the best. He, too, was wounded, but not SO
much injured but that he could do still
further service, though others had vanished.
To say he performed all the duties of per
feet soldier is only repeating the compli-
ments of his opponents.
If in considering this the board meets the
objection that more than the kn owledge a
soldier possesses is required, let it consider
which of its officers has gone the most
regularly through the regular promotions;
who has been the most regular ly advanced
by merit alone; who has made the least
solicitation; who, never found wanting, has
been of.enest tried; who never asked
excuse but only that he be ordered; who
has performed the most delicate service
and exhibited the most discre tion and
lastly, who, in an emergency, is sure to be
the first called upon.
There is no need to name the officer If the
board has more than one who possesses a
record such as is here suggested it will be
just to both and to the force to split its vote
upon them. With such record any chief
ouid have all the qualifications necessary,
his name would inspirit the force, the &C.
acknowledgements of his merit would revive
its pride and as one of thems elves the mem
bers would devotedly strive to emulate
him. Beyond the force, like General
Badger, he would command respect by
force Of character, and under him, in the
new time coming, the police of New Orleans
would be one of the boasts of it's citizens.