New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-02
Mp eCUEII, SPEAKS.

,,s oy TUE POLICE BOARD HE DECLARES
HIMSELF IN FAVOR OF NON.PARIIsAN DE
n,pruyST-HIs OPINIONS ON CITY ExPENDl-
TuREs AND SALARIES.
,Tn,prSr repo1ter Yesterday called upon Augustus
oahau at his office in the Western Union Building
and asked his opinion in reference to non-partsah
pI;ca BOARD and other matters relating to the Cty
Government .. :.
Mr.. schell," the reporter asked, "are you IN
favor of non-partisan Police Board
eyes replied Mr.. Schell. 81 am entirely In favor
NJ a uon-partisan Police Board l have expressed
- nrhlic views on that question, although have
,lways been willing to give my opinion OH
that subiect. as on any other that may
ho ~ interest to the public. The law
nroviding for the Police Department has
Irte,woven the authority of that department very
oselv with the important interests of the city. 1t
hos given 10 the Board of Police the management
and control of elections the appointment of inspect
ara and poll-clerks and has ordained that these
spec.ors and pollcerks shall be selected from diff
rerent political parties. IL seems very rea-
,onable, therefore, that the authority maxi
mo these appOlntments should be free from parti-
ian influence. Beside that, the policemen are APP
pointed for the protection of the persons and prop
,rty of the people, and that seems to be another
reason why the men who have the power to appoint
these policemen should be free from the influences
Of politics The only sure way TO secure that re-
,ut IL seems to me- is to select the Police Commits
,oners from different parties, having due regard, OF
rourse, for the ability and character OF the APP
pontees."
"What is your opinion as to the expenditures of
the City Government"
"Ithnk the administration of the Finance De-
partment during the last two years. in which time the
lebt of the city has been reduced more than S0OoO
600 and inward of 81, 900 900 more saved in taxa
ton, should be sustained. Under it the credit OF
the city has so far appreciated as to make our
per cent bonds worth premium OF over per
cent and in nv opinion a continuance of that effort
70 reduce the debt and taxes will be o great
relief not only to our taxpayers butte the business
men of our city. The manufacturing interests have
heen crippled and enterprises which were formerly
carried on in the City of New-York have been
driven away by taxation. If the present policy Is
continued these no doubt, will return to the city
and give employment to large class OF our laborng
men who are now idle. We have seen the result of
this enormous taxation, also, in the action OF
many of our large banking institutions in reducing
their capital for the purpose OF AVOIDING iaxatTn
think it is important to have due regard 1Or me
improvements OF the city, which SHOULD keep pace
with the demands of the tunes. These improve
ments think, could be made without increasing lg
time give employment to wOrkingmen at fair and
reasonable wages"
What do you think of the salaries paid to the
various city oficialsp
"Wen / think there is a number of persons con-
nected with the City Government whose salaries
are probably not higher than they could secure in
any private employment Their abilities and eX-
perlence would command probably equal wages in
any similar employment by private individuals; yet
there are Others whose salaries are dsproportOnate
10 the labor and responsibility of the places they
hold and the pay of these might be reduced with
out disadvantage to the public service The govern
ment Of the city should be so administered as to
tighten the burdens of taxpayers, and reduce the
rents of the laboring classes, both of which are
Immediately connected"