New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-20
L IEGLSLATIFE RLTNDEP.

The action of the Assembly yesterday in cx-
empting the Police and Law Departments of
cities from the operations Of the state Civil
Service act was unfortunate. The chief object
of the law is to remove the subordinate places
in the city governments from the baleful iniu-
ences of partisan politics. There is no branch
of the municipal administration more in need Of
protection from the politicians than the Police
Department. In this city the political influence
of that department is so great it has frequently
been demanded that nominee for Mayor
should pledge himself not to disturb the polit-
zeal equilibrium of the Police Board.
During the official term of the next Mayor he
will appoint two Commissioners to succeed the
present Republican representatives, i'll the
Board of Police. If Democrat is chosen
Mayor he may flu the Police Board entirely
with Democrats. And tho Republicans at
! Albany will then be put in the light of having
turned over to the Democrats, for political
purposes perhaps the most powerful branch of
the city government. The next Mayor, no
matter how fair minded, will be pOwerless to
interfere with the political influence of the
Police Board. The present Democratic Com
missioners will hold beyond the official term Of
the next Mayor. He cannot remove them, and
his Civil Service regulations cannot be made to
interfere with their political patronage. Hence,
in mere partisan sense, the Republicans who
Yesterday voted with the Democrats on this
amendment to the Civil Service bill, committed
q great mistake, which the Senate should rectify.
Aside from partisan grounds there are higher
and stronger reasons why the Police Depart
ment should be placed beyond the control of
the politicians. 1t is necessary for the protec-
ton of the policemen themselves. as well rs for
the efficiency of the force Policemen now feel
the necessity of complying with the political
demands of their supeIiors. The same body
that appoints them, tries them for alleged in
fractions of the rules, fines or removes them;
but more often transfers them to some unde-
sirable place or duty. There are numberless
ways in which policeman can be haraSsed by
his superiors But if he is useful, III a political
sense, his path can be made easy, with promo
ton as q further reward. Political consider
ations enter into the question of appointment
as well as of promotion. Each Commissioner is
allowed his share of the places; and frequently
votes in the Legislature have been influenced
by the appointment of policemen in New York.
The fear of the department is so great that
members of the Legislature from this city, with
rare exceptions, arc reluctant TO incur Its Ill
will. They are, contrary to their better iudg-
mcnt, often found pressing bills at Albany to
increase the pay of the policemen and fremen.
This condition of affairs is equally unfortunate
for the efficiency of the department and the
good of the city. The application of the Civil
Service principles to this branch of the munic-
ipal service would have done much to effect
most desirable reform. 1t is not yet too late
for the Legislature to act intelligently on this
subject