National Republican., 1883-05-16
Exclusion OF linton Soldier. from the

Exclusion OF linton Soldiers from the
Police.
Tho reorganization of the police is a work
that could hardly be performed without Civ
ing riso TO complaints. Where these are based
solely on the natural unwillingness of incum-
bents to let go Of places which can bo better
hlled by others the public can have no sub
stantial interest in thcm. Those who have
70 exercise tho power of appointment always
lind, however,, that tho loud oltcries of
removed persons obtain considerable
lodgment in tho mind of tho very samo
public which had demanded tho weed.
ing out process. The new superintend-
9nt of police and the commissioners
10 whom ho can only make recommendations
and whose orders he executes as to the per-
:onnel of the police force, are just now the
objects Of a good deal of fault finding. They
,re complained of for the removal of men
against whom they make no charges, and for
The appointment Of othors who arc said to
POSSESS no superior qualifications. Tho APP
pointment Of one man Of sixty-two years of
igo and the refusal to appoint others because
hey were over the regulation age Of thirty
nine has been the subject of much unfavor-
able comment The explanation given of this
by superintendent Dye is that the indi-
yidual in question, although appointed ON
tho regular force, was selected for detective
Iervice. The law which abolished the detect
I've force provided that of the regular force
Pix might bo appointed for detective work
Iyho had not served in the army or navy. 1t
5equires that tho remainder of the regular
orce shall bo taken from men who have been
onorably discharged from the military or
aval service. But in addition TO this test
Established by idW there is another, pro-
lcribcd by q regulation of the commits.
toner's and subject to any alteration they
lee ht to make at any time, and that
that no man shall be appointed on the police
yho is over thirty-nine years of age. This
they have rigidly adhered to $50 far as they
tould know the age of an applicant) except
q the case above alluded to. They claim
hat as the law exempts the six regulars in
ended for detective work from the soldier
est, so they may exempt them from the age
lest. The law. however, provides in terms
Tor such an exemption, but thoir regulation
hoes not. They say that they have right
20 violate regulations of their own making.
Nnd so they have, but it is setting bad ex-
|mple. Some potent, though unknown rea-
on, doubtless exists for the appointment, but
he regulations should have been altered in
|tead Of being violated.
We now desire to call attention to n very
grave objection to the age regulation of the
commissioners. IL ,sa UirtudL notification of
he act Of congress. Congress enacted that,
With six exceptions, the police force should be
made up from the soldier element. n This
,lainly referred to tho men who had served
n the lato civil war. The commissioners
regulation fixing thirty-nine years as the
maximum ago for appointment virtually ex-
ludes the very men whom the law declares
hall bo alone eligible. The man who is
hirty.nine years old to-day was but seven
cen when tho rebellion began, and but
wenty-one when it closed. The result is,
hat the applicants who present their dis
Fharge papers, and show their ago to bo thirty
aine or under, are soldiers from the regular
lrmy who enlisted after The close Of the cril pdr
S this right9 viii any rational man say
hat the soldiers of the union army ought TO be
Excluded by a regulation of tho commissioners
iecause after they arc thirty-nine they arc
90 decrepit TO serve as policemen, when con.
rcss, which created the commission, plainly
Commanded that, with six exceptions, il
Ihould employ union soldiers only on the
police? Is II not an unworthy evasion to ap-
koint discharged soldiers who never saw a
tkirmish on the pretext that those who
bught the unions battles have passed the ven
krable age of thirty and are thereby dis
Ibled? The act of congress is for the benefit
If the men to whom the regulation ofthe COM
nissioners is opposed. Physical soundness
mercy, and activity should be substituted as
test in the place Of age. Will the COM
nissioners consider this question:
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