National Republican., 1878-08-02
DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
The Poiicemen's Distress Csr.

HiVNNotihB aBh'hob o"y f''fN'NN '''''N
might be contemplated In the pay of the NOM
bors Of tborpolice force. The first call was
make at halfpast ten n. M, but Commissioner
Phelps being absent iu attending to some OIL
cial business at the Treasury Department, the
interview was postponed until halfpast one
p. IN.
At that hour there was present as spokcsmen
ex.Commissioncr Thomas B. Bryan, Colonel
Robert IngcrSoll, Robert Christy also citizens
J. l.. Barbour, Richard Taylor, Z. +. White,
Marshal Frederick Douglass Major A. G. Rich.
ards, and Columbus Alexander, and OH bchalfof
the force. Major Thomas +. Morgan, Lieutcn.
ants Gessford and Vernon, Sergcants Hollen-
berger and Trunnel, Detective McElfresh, and
Officers O'Harc, Tseplc, Cooper, Woodward,
Nolkman, and Others.
The petition is signed by 1 700 persons, and
represents s6O,0c0ooOo OF property in the Dis.
trict
Among tho names In the list are those of
prominent bankers, merchants, and business
mon Of all trades and professions. II requests
that the salaries OF the officers and members
of the Metropolitan police forra may remain
~ at present, the signers believing that the
salaries now paid arc the least that the SER
vices of good. honest, and efficient lncn eau be
secured for. and that the pay they now receive
is not any more in proportion to the living
expenses than Is paid in other cities; belicv-
ing, further that the clause In the sundry civil
bill authorizing the Commissioners to fix the
salaries Of the police was in direct opposition
to the expressed wishes of q large majority of
both Houses of Congress, as the records Of
their proceedings show.
Judge Bryan was the first TO speak, and said
that, some two years ago, ho caught aud held
on to a burglar in his house until the police
came aud relieved him. At that tinc he
felt grateful for their timely assistance, and
promised that If ever lo could serve them he
world do 1t. AS they responded - nobly to
bis call, ho did so now in presenting their petit
tion. praying that there would be no reduction
in their pay. lie wa satisfied that no measure
was ever agitated involving the expenditure Of
money which was so unanimously sustained
as this OF letting the pay OF the police remain
undisturbcd. All the substantial interests Of
the District were unanimous upon that point.
He thought the same might be said OF both
branches of Congress. Tho duties OF the po-
lice here had exceeded in extent aud character
those Of any other city. To become member
OF tho force II nCceSsitatcd not only dress, but
address. Another reason why they should be
fairly paid was that thoy might maintain
themselves aud families in decency aud with
proper comfort.
Most of them Were honOrably discharged
soldiers from the army and navy, and were to
u certain extent entitled u consideration from
the Government. When men have discharged
their duty as these mon had another reduc.
tiun OF psy-IOr this was the second-wOuld
operate badly. 1t also might neccssitatU some
of them changing their avOcatOn. In some
cities the political hummer has q voice in the
selection of the police; but here they are
chosen for personal itmcss, without regard to
political complexion; therefore their pay which
| is NJ u moderate standard, equal to the fitness
Vi things, should remain unchanged
Colonel lngcr-Oll said that he could add but
| lialu TO what had alrc dy been spoken. lie
| believed as a matter oi fact that the Washing
| ton police compared f,vornhly with any in the
country. and in many instance, slool upon Il
| higher degree Of excellence than those found
| in other cities. They bore tho Ggmranor Of
| gentlemen and dressed like them. The rules
Of the force prescribed what tho uniform
should be, AMI these must be Obcycd.
The men must be prescnttbic, and TO do so
! was to create an expense. They have u great, 7
| responsibility dwelling upon them than any
other police in the United States, for they
are not only the police for the District but
also for the Government. Their duties, which
are arduOus, have been faithfully performed
even to the endurance of all kinds Of weat her.
| In this contemplated reduction no provision
j. made for the widow or orphans Of these
men who ntrOl the city, carrying their lives in
| their hands, and who at any time may be
| cut oil leaving wives and children pcnni-
| less and helpless. lie wished to know If a
! voice had been hCnrl calling for the reduc-
| tiOn. II 1t were done II would Crnate suffering.
| No mon were performing higher or more I'M
pOrtAnt duties 10 society. The Government
| paid halt Of this sum. and it would only be
! reducing the District share, so. lie hoped
| that they would hesitate before deciding 10
take this step. 1t seemed to him like II re-
pr0ach to do II.
Ii they would separate the general tax and
| let the police tax br levied by itself aud sub.
init it to the people, he would guarantee that
| til" amount ui pay would be augmented iu-
steal Of decreased. II this reduction Of pay
was made, in his opinion, they the Commits.
siUncrs would not acquire honor Or profit
with the citizens and he believed the voice OF
| the business mon was against it..
| sergeant ii, llenbergcr stated that many Of
| the members Of the force were buy ing homes
for themselves and families and paying for
them ia monthly instalmentS; but II this re.
ductiOn took place they would not ever be
able to meet their obligations, but lose what
money they have already pail. He also
showed how much cheaper waS house rent
and livin, in Baltimore, and why SIS pei
week to the police of the Monumental City
wa, in reality better than 800 per mouti
here.
MesSrs. John l.. Barbour and Richard Tay
lor, both prominent business men, asserted ~
their belief that not single tax. payer de
| sired the reduction to he made.
Commissioner Phelps said that the police.
men had the entire sympathy of the board
Their case had been ably presented, but there
We're certain obligations of law imposed upon
them that must bc observed, aud whatever
they did would be with n view Of chrctng
permanent settlement OF the matter. Tn
delegation then withdrew.
| Minor District Sotes.
Mr.. Robert +. Dodge has been designated a
treasurer for the Metropolitan Police force.
MeS,rs. ID. W. Huughton and j. 4. Morclant
have been discharged from the Office OF The
Board Of assessors.
II has been ordered THAT no wagon or othe
| vehicle belonging to vCndcrs in the Ccntr
Market, or used in connection with sales in o
about that market shall lie allowed TO stand Oi
seventh street below Pennsylvania avenue
in tho vicinity Of tho market. All mHrkc
wagons must be- parked upon street, abOv
| Ninth street.
Another order by the Commissioners Is cha
by virtue Of the authority vested in the Com
missioner, Of the DiStric! pf Columbia by al
act Of Congress entitled, An act providing
permanent form Of government for the DistriC
oI Columbia approved Junr II, ISIS, the TIVE
sralcr, OF weights aud measures for tho city o
Washington are removed from -aid offices, an,
that the twn office, for the city u! Washington
are consolidated into one office" Mr. jaime
snail was appointed to the office thus nll,ie.