The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-09
POLICE DISABILITIES.
THE COMMENTS THAT ARE MADE ON
THE SUBJECT.

THE subject.
For small thing. the police disability aues-
tion has occupied political and municipal cir
Giles to quite an extent.
Tho reduction OF the usual appropriation
made annually for the payment OF the police to
s25oo0o. which marked the city's budget for
1879, made decrease In tho number Of men
employed on the force necessity, There
were already from fifty to sixty, or more.
vacancies on the force when tho budget went
Into operation, and IL was expected that fr
various causes vacancies would continue to
occur during the year. which would make the
new figures sufficient to run the police depart
ment. Tho monthly rolls for the nrst two
months OF the year however. showed that the
expectations were exaggerated. and that mt the
same rate. about $4,000 or f23Gce month, II
would require more money than the appropria-
ton provides for to pay the department. How
the project came up we are not informed. but In
due course Of events 1t became known that m
examination OF tho men OF the force was taking
place and subsequently on Friday evening the
Board OF Police Commissioners was put In pos
session of the names Of from fifty TO sixty
policemen who were reported by the city physl-
clans Ms being disqualified under the police
rules from further serving on the force. The
report was laid on the table. however. and an
anomalous state OF affairs created.
During the discussions that have been pro-
voked by the matter. we have heard II ru-
mored that somebody must be wrong. and that
what Ia wrong should be rlghted. The Police
board orders m examination of the men OF
the force by the CITY physicians who make
report In due time. The chief Of police. whom
ask cd to give his evidence Of the examination,
replies that the men were not stripped. but
were only uuestloned-in fact. that they did not
undergo q physical examination. and 80 on.
But the comments are not yet ended and tho
city physicians are taken to task for going
beyond their province. after. 1t Is claimed fall
ing TO perform their strict duty. Ia some cases.
of physically examining their subjects. The
Board OF Police Is tainted because
It disposed OF the matter so abruptly
and without calling the precinct CON-
manders to accou / FOR having so many
"habiual drunkards" discovered by the physl-
cians) among their men. and mon also who are
constantly felgning sickness and Sinking duty
also they did not inquire into the cases
OF those policemen whom the city physicians
declare disabled. at the Same time that the re-
port of the latter says that these men were mot
examined" A great deal Of stress was laid by
cation of some Of the officers, and the question
arose several times whether tho physicians had
been substituted for the police board TO pass
upon the psychological condition OF the
peelers. or not. Indeed. II everything that
is said on the subject would be written
1t would mako a racy chapter. not excepting
the frequent EXPRESSION Of the threatened
peelers that II was good thing that matters
turned out as they did. otherwise they might
themselves have had to say something about
the morality Of their eonfreres: but as Il was
all over. they had rather not squesl just now,
CITY TAXES.
There Is again renewed activity to be noticed
In the Department of Finance. where tax
payers are coming In goodly numbers now to
settle their accounts. Administrator Isaacson
aserlbes this dispost ton on tho part Of the tax
payers to the fact that. although the latter may
Sill hope that the convention will do something
t. relieve them OF part Of their obligations.
they still are unwilling to risk the negative
proposition which will add attorneys fees. costs
Of court and penalties to their already unpleas-
antly heavy bills. the amount of which becomes
exigible on the first Of April next.
GRAND MOVE.
Administrator Houston has ordered all the
employees Of the Department Of Improve
ments TO give their attention to the garbage
question. In order that no offal or sweepings OF
any kind shall be thrown into the cutters of
the city. but shall be put In proper receptacles.
to be taken up by the corporation carts. The
Administrator is firm believer In the doctrine
that filth engenders or propagates disease. and
he says that 1t Is his determination to do, at
least In this direction. all that lies In his power
to promote the health of the city. He again
asks us to warn our citizens against the VIOLA
ton Of the garbage ordinances, lost they may
be fined therefor,
rAtrKd OFF.
After paying the City Hall employees. tho
Administrator OF Finance proceeded yesterday
to pay the labor roll of the city. The police
role have been placed In the hands OF the Ad-
minlstrator of Accounts. who will warrant on
the treasurer for the amount they call for on
Monday. and the force will be paid on Tuesday
or on Wednesday at the latest.
sCHooI.- HOUSE REPAIRS.
There was a consultation yesterday among
several of the city administrators on the SUBJ
iect OF the repairing OF the public school
houses OF the city. The question Is whether
these repairs should be made By the School
Board or the city administration. In the past
the school Board has had ful control Of the
matter. but inasmuch as the law on the subject
1s not definite enough, 1t Is proposed that 1t
shall be fully inquired into.
RICHARD BAsTILE.
The Mayor of Chicago writes to Mayor Patton
for Information concern nR the whereabouts OF
Richard Bastile. who Is said to have been a
member of the police force at some time or
another.
A ROLT.