The daily gazette., 1883-03-08
Ball gaxette
wILMINoroS. THURSDAY. MARCH 8.
A vIndioation of the " "Gazstte's " Course.

The exploits of certain members of the
police force, which were chTonicled in the
GAZETTE yesterday, were the fullest and
most positive vindication Of this papers
course toward Mayor Wales that could posi-
bly, be furnished. Some very bard things
have been said against the GAZETTE for its
denunciation of the police force as appointed
by Mayor Wales. Before his election the
Mayor said he would have q force that
would be a credit to the city, aud after his
election he said to a representative of this
paper that the policemen of the city would
be models aud great improvement
over the force which was about
to 20 of duty. How well
he kept his word everybody knows. Instead
OF having police force that should protect
life and limb, person and property, and
afford an adequate safeguard to the public
against lawlessness, the city, with the
entrance Of the present Mayor upon his
Official career has been cursed with the most
disgraeeful force that ever existed in
any civilized community. The Mayors boast
that the force would be 'model' one
has become standing joke, as much as the
expression that the New York force sis one
Of the finest" When the present force
went on duty this paper indulged in some
very plain talk, which was not prompted at
all by political considerations. 1t pointed
out that men had been chosen to the
important positions Of guardians OF the
peace who were notorious roughs, and who
were utterly unqualified, in every way, tor
their Office. Ii showed that the Mayor had
yielded to the arguments and influence Of
the men who secured his nomination,
aud who those meu we're and how
much Of the public good they had
at heart the pubic know. 1t charged
that the police force was largely composed
OF men who were either notorious law
breakers or unfit for their positions, having
been appointed simply out of political con
sideratons The history Of the police force
up to this time Is known. The rule Of
Mayor Wales has been anything bat credit
TO the city from the time he took the oath
of office up to this date His officers
have been guilty Of fragrant mlsdemeanors
repeatedly. We have shown him proof that
could not be doubted Of misconduct on part
Of his officers which merited not only severe
reprmand but prompt dismissal. Neither
was given. We have shown that men under
him have been guilty of blackmail, that
they have compounded felonIes, that they
have INDUCED in gross misconduct and have
repeatedly tended to increase disorder in
the city rather than check it. All these
facts have been backed up by proof that
could not be doubted, and yet no practical
move was made by the Mayor to check the
outrageous conduct of the police officers OF
TO improve their quality.
This thing has gone on until forbearanct
with the people had almost ceased to be
virtue. Outrages against public morals au'
private citizens have been repeatedly perpe
trated, and there seemed to be no redres
until the State courts took the matter Il
hand, aud within the past few days We hav
had the remarkable spectacle Of peac
guardians being fined for violating tn
laws of their Stale and moi
on the heels of that comes this last perform
ance, which has led to the dismissal in dii
grace of two members Of the force. BY th
the GAZETTE, as we have said, is vindicate
and It begins TO look as though tn
Mayor Intended to he the head of his force
In fact Still, the way things have beef
going lately seem to indicate that instead {
being improved the police force is going
the dogs generally.