, 1876-11-12

bills for the amendment of the Revenue Law
as will secure the reforms needed.
=-..-zZE=
SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE.
The case Of Superintendent HICKEY will
come up before the Council tomorrow even
ing, and it seems to be foregone conclusion
that very large majority of the Aldermen
the number is stated at twenty-five out of
thirty-six- vote for the resolution re-
questing the Mayor to remove him. It is too
ungratefl q task to go over the mass Of tes-
tmony which was taken during the investi-
CATION in the most unsystematic manner, and
which had little of the character Of legal ev-
idence. Much Of it WIS given by discharged
policemen detectives in bad repute, gam
blers, thieves, and many others not worthy
of perfect confidence. Yet four Of the Com
mittee concluded that superintendent HICKEY
has not been discharging the duties Of the
position as efficiently as he should, and rec
commended his removal. This report does
not express any opinion directly upoa
H1cKEy's alleged relations with DAN
WEBSTER, who seems to be about as dis
reputable an old African as lives; but the
Committee evidently reached their conclusion
on the general ground that there are abuses
in the management of the Police Depart
ment which can be best corrected by
change Of Superintendent. But one of
the Committee, Aid. CU11ERToN, dssented
from this conclusion, and reported his con-
viction that HICKEY is the victim Of con-
spiracy to get him out of the way. There is
certainly some reason to suspect as much,
though that of itself would not signify that
HICKEY is b1amc1ess. The prosecution was
conducted by man named TnuDE, who has
the reputation Of being the retained attorney
of tho worst gamblers, bunko-s -steerers, con-
and thieves who infest the city,
and who employed some very disreputable
agents in the effort to make out his case It
is to H1oKEv's advantage that he is
O thorough and experienced policeman,
but it is to his disadvantage that
the gambling dens ara not all closed,
and that disreputable places like DAN
and others in the same ueighbor-
hood are tolerated. This is about the way
the case stands, and it is for the Council to
determine their action. as they conceive to
be best for the interests Of the city.
Of course the removal of HICKEY and the
of his successor rest finally
with the Mayor, but he will probably be in
:lined to accede to the declared opinion of
argo majority Of the Council, if sustained
oy reasonable evidence. There is only one
point we desire to insist upon. If HICKEY
S to be removed, the place ought not to be
ilIed by any attache of the force. He is
certainly the most capable officer in the
present force, and the same objections that |
lpply to him will apply to some extent to all |
# his immediate subordinates. If there
las been a conspiracy to get rid
4 him, which seems not altogether
Unlikely, the conspirators ought not
o be gratifed BY the appointment Of any
,erson acceptable to them. It is not for the
interest of the city that Mr.. TRuDE, for in
lance, should have Police Superintendent
hat suits his purposes, nor TINT Mr. TRUDE's
ients, who are largely gamblers, bunko-
teerers, and thieves, according to common
eport, should indorse an appointment. If
II. HICKEY is removed on the ground that
here should be more efficient management
+ the Police Department, then some one
utside of the present officers and entirely
isassociated with the present order Of things
hould be called to the position.
The name of ELMER WAsHBuRN, formerly
uperintendent Of Police and more recently
hief Of the Government Secret Service, has
cen suggested. The objection to him that
e might bo distasteful to the Germans on
count of his connection with the enforce
ent Of the old Sunday ordinance seems
be removed by the taats-zeitung's
dorsement Of him, and by o very
,neral expression among the Germans
mt he was the most efficient officer the
hicaoo police force has ever had. The fact
now very well understood by the Germans,
we'll as everybody else, that A1r. WASH
5Es merely enforced the law rs he found it,
it IVES his duty to do. The Sunday lew
as repealed long ago, and the Germans are
ually interested with other good citizens
having all the laws enforced So fer as
e Times speaks for the Democrats, A1r.
AsuBuRs will also be acceptable to the law
iding citizens of that party, and of course {
q Republicans will be glad to see him re-
m. Il is certain that he is man i'm c
icitly to be trusted, and his courage, ener-
J, and efficiency lnve been abundantEy dem {
strated. His past record is IN assurance +
at he will bs able to close up the gambling c
lis. run out the thieves, and keep down c
e disreputable classes. His vigilance and t
rewdness as detective, ns well as his hon. F
b. were developed during his career as b