The Washington critic., 1886-06-29
THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE.

THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE.
THE Critic desires to impress upon
the District Commissioners n few sug.
gestions in connection with the pro.
posed change in the office of Supcrin-
tendent of Police. Washington is the
seat of the National Government, and
its prosperity and prominence are de-
pendent upon that fact
II Is the Capital of the Republic Of
t0,0C0, 600 of people, and the admins
tration OF its government should In.
clude proper regard for the interests
Of the people of the Nation rs well as
those who are domiciled within the
District limits.
The Office of superintendent Of Po.
lice is one of the most important con
nected with the affairs of the National
Capital, and it should be flied by a
man with liberal, comprehensive views
of the position and one who has the
ability to place this department upon a
plane which will command the respect
of the country at large as well rs the
local community of the District.
Ii is position which necessarily has
confidential and diplomatic relations
with the officers of our own great Ma
tional Government and the representa-
tives and people of other governments.
There is no chief of police on the
American Continent who at times Ii as
such important and delicate trusts con.
fded to his judgment and discretion.
Washington is no longer a village
controlled by local ward politicians,
but it has at last assumed its proud
position as the Cosmopolitan Capital
of the American Republic, and in
whose prosperity, development and
grandeur the people of the whole
country take an interest in common
with the local residents.
Therefore in all the administration
of its affairs broad and comprehensive
spirit should be manifested--a progress.
i've spirit commensurate with the mag.
nitude of the great interests confded
to those temporarily in charge of the
administration of its important trusts.
Because, heretofore, the Office Of the
Superintendent of Police Of the Ma
tional Capital has been considered and
treated simply rs local, subordinate
position, is no sufficient reason why it
should longer continue so, for the
Washington of to-day is a thousand
degrees in advance, in all the elements
of great capital, of what 1t was
when the position of Superintendent Of
Police was created.
Let us have man for the position
who will give character to the pncc,
one whose common sense, comprchGn.
sion, energetic and liberal indiyilull-
ity will elevate the whole force into u
department which will command the
confidence and respect of Congress and
the people, and with such Il recon
struction Congress will take pride in
literally appropriating for its efficiency
and increase.
1t is too important position to be
confided to any one who is in the least
luluteu Wllu HdTIOW' HllulCi NlSNe
upon any subject he should be a man
who can rise superior to individual
prejudice, who can grasp the whole
situation and fully realize the weighty
responsibilities of the position.
The present pay, we are aware, is in
sufficient to properly compensate a per-
son properly qualified for the import
ant and diplomatic trust, but let the
right man enter upon its duties and
Congress will soon appreciate his eff
forts and appropriate accordingly.
In short, the Superintendent of Po
lice of the National Capital should bt
aman selected exclusively for his com
prehensive ability and fitness, ont
whose character will honor the posi-
lion, 1t is place of all others whicl
should seek the man-and should no
be given out merely as personal o.
political consideration.
Messrs. District Commissioners, thu
Chief of the Police of the District o
Columbia is Of national importance t.
very large extent, and remember, yol
are acting as trustees for Congress
which exercises exclusive control owe
the affairs of the National seat Of Gov
ernment.