National Republican., 1883-03-16
Weed Out Every Incompetent Or Dishonest
Policeman,
And Bring the Force Up to State Of
Strict Discipline,
This Seems to be tho Unanimous Demand Of Business
Men and Citizens Generally.
There Is Reason 10 Believe the Commits
sioncrs VIII soon Go About It.

organization of tho police force, and when tho
developments of the citizens committee began
to appear the need was even more apparent.
But in view of the fact that there was
change expected in the board, IL was thought
wise to defer any radical action until the new
commissioner should be appointed. In fact,
this course was a necessity from the condition
of affairs at the time; but now that the
new commissioner has been appointed,
II is believed that the matter will shortly
he taken up for action. In fact,
it is evident that the district commissioners
are now seriously pondcring the question of
police reorganization, and that they will at
the proper time, not far distant, act in this
matter with thoroughness. The lacts already
elected by the citizens committee, which are
sustained by legal proof and tho greater
number Of other facts, sustained by equally
as good proof though perhaps not as yet
backed by the testimony which the courts
require for their Judicial sanction, show that
there was in the management of the police
force somewhere degree of negligence,
not to speak more strongly, which was
, culpablo in the extreme. 1t is not
possible that this negligence should be per-
mittCd to continue longer. There is too much
at stake to excuse or Condonc negligence
where negligence is a crime. The response
bility can be easily fixed, and all possibility
of like errors for the future be rigidly guarded
against The easiest way, and the best way,
is to organize the force from top to bottom,
sift and winnow it thoroughly, weed out the
incompetent and untrustwOrthy, whatever
their grade, and infuse into what is
left high spirit of discipline that shall
make such condition of affairs as has just
been exposed impossible for the future And
hut tlttt
many members of the force are irreproacha-
bic. Better men cannot be found anywhere.
They are entitled by every consideration to
remain where they have so long been found
vigilant, faithful, and stirring. 1t is, how
ever, equally undeniable that there are many
ON the force whose removal would purge it.
1t does not require any special care to see
that. The force has been under daily and
nightly supervision of the people, neces-
sarily so, for years. Those who should not
be retained are well known, equally so as
those whose fidelity to duty insure their re
tention on the reorganizcd force. The man
agement of police affairs needs to be thoroughly
overhauled and rectified. A policy which re-
suits in harbOring and protecting the thief,
and dividing with the "ience" the spoils of
the criminal, must be, and assuredly will be
changed. No more compromises with thieves,
no more "fenCes;" no more burgaries are
wanted. The prompt and faithful execution
of the laws must be the principle upon which
the police force is managed hereafter, and any
policy which does not effect this end must be
swept aside.
In order to feel the pulse of popular opinion
on this subject The REPUBLICAN yesterday
detailed several of its staff to interview the
business men Of the city and ask their opin-
ion as to the proposed reorganization of the
force. There was but one opinion held and
expressed so far as the necessity for protcc-
ton from crime was concerned, but many
of the persons interviewed seemed to en-
tcrtain the idea that reorganization of the
] force and dismissal of all hands on il
were Synonymous terms. Most of them
spoke in such warm terms of the faithful
ness and efficiency of the officers on their
beats that no one could question the fact OF
such fidelity. 1t need scarcely be said that
no efficient and faithful officer will be dis.
missed on a reorganization. All such have
justly earned the right to continuance on the
force-a right that will be promptly rccog.
niHcd and ACKNOWLEDGED when the roOrguni2a
is made. But the question prOpoundcd waS
whether such a reorganization was deemed
wise. and when fully understood the opinion
expressed in favor Of such plan was well ngl
unanimous Only few of the many inter
views had are herewith published.
Mr., William II. Nccrhoh, No. 0l6 Seventh
street, said: "Anything to give the citizens
protection is a good thing, and am in faYO
of IT. Tito do this il requires the reorganiza
ton of the police force am decidedly in iavo
of such reorganization"
Mr., Leopold Behrond, No. 90S Seventh
street, said; 1T seems to mo that Il rcOrgani
2atiOn Of the police based upon the BaltimOr
style would be commcndablc.'
You are in favor of reorganization then?
favor what will insure the citizens pro
lection. If the present system be ioun,
faulty reOrganizc it,"
Mr., William Hahn, No. s16 Seventh street
said The interests of the citizen should b
protected, The individual members of tn
police, so far rs ] know thenl-and ! know
great many-are faithful, reliable, and con
sCicntiOus. ! should not like to see thel
changed for the service would lose by tn
change. But if the management he in an
way responsible for the state of affairs dc
vel0ped by the citizens committee il needs
reorganization"
Mr.. Thomas $, Gartrcll, corner of | an
Seventh streets, was quite conservative in hi
utteranccs. lie said "lf the charge
brought against the detectives be true-an
IL Is well to remember that jury has nc
yet pronounced upon their Case-it shows
terrible state of affairs in Il part of the polio
management, 50 far rs it affects them. At an
rate the citizens should have protection
The facts show they did not get it, whcrevC
the blame may rest, And il protection ca
only he got by rcOrganaing the police, | a.
in favor of reorganization"
MIR. Thomas Holden of Harvey & Holder
when asked what he thought of the roOrgul
i2utiun, said emphatically; / think ther
should be u general reorganization from tu
TO bottom The men running the police fore
should be above suspicion and their honest
should be cquacd by their ability and Wig
lance
MIR. j, w, Drew, corner of Ninth street an
Pennsylvania avenue, said: 81 think thu
every member of the present force who wa
even In the slightest, connected with the il
iQuities that have been developed should |
at once removed aud held up TO the censuI
Of the community. | must say that | rcgaI
Mai. Brock as II most capable and iaithf
officer, and should be sorry 10 sec the distri
lose his services"
Mr.. William II. Morrison, of the firm
Morrison & Brother, booksellers approved
reorganization. Said he: al think, hoy
ever, amy plan Of reorganization should ha'
the chief Of police appointed by the presidei
and independent ofthe district commissioner
/ think the trouble has been that the chief
police has been subject to too much authOrit
lie has had too many superior officers,
Tor Mai Brock, consider him an honest ma
1 have known him ever since bOyhOOd an
have confidence in his integrity and the hO
esty of his intentions"
Mr.. John #. Mithell when asked his view
said that he believed II reorganization W
imperatiyely necessary; that there was
general laXity throughout, from major
private and that discipline could only be d
tanned by radical change in the office
"NOt," said he, that ! have any person
objection TO the present chief who
have known all my life, but t