New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-18

and recently in two cases the complaints were dis
sufficient to show facts Of the most revolving character
have language in which to express the feeling OF
Indignation which the dismissal OF these has
cited On my mind. l do not know that the Justices
In these exceeded tho discretion which is allowed
to them by law but do know as the result Of their
decision that two of tire ves dcns that have ever in
tested a civilized community allowed to continue
In existence and have been forced 10 resort to other
S H s but he has NC Of
mOval. They may, however. DO removed by the court
ferrcd But these charges must necessarily be- based
upon other grounds than difference OF opinion as 10
tho exercise of these discretionary powers that the
real evil arises The remedy Is 10 be found In the ap
poInmcnt OF Justices trained to the law, OF consider
ablc rcputc in the profession and divorced as ar as
possible from tho contact with party politics do not
assert too much when declare that the position OF
Pohco Justice is more important to the community
than that Of a Judge OF the Court OF Appeals Inc
latter finally settles the law, but the former applies 1t
i'm the first inst ance in nearly all affecting the
life liberty and property OF the citizen He has, In
minor cases, tho power OF pardon, ana oncn aiter
fender The exercise OF this power in order 10 obllge
political friends gives TO the Justice an influence Whch
Is dangerous as IL Is ndeiensible. recomienu'
therefore that tho selection of Police Justices be here
after limited to members of the bar OF at least ten
years standing III. profession and that before being
allowed take the oath OF Office, majority OF inc
Justices OF the Supreme Court OF this district shall GER
fifty that appohtce lawyer in good standing ana
is competent TO discharge the duties OF the once.
would surround tire position OF Police Magistrate with
every possible safeguard, because he ss at the very
social order Tho reasons why no should refrain from
an active participation In local potcs arc even
than those which should forbid the Judges Oh ,nI
ing OF the Judicial erminc should DC auo 10
and especially in the Police Courts charged WIN Inc
primary application and administration OF 1usu u,, Nv
divorce between party politics and the bench should
made complete that when man becomes 'uusc'
he should cease to be pollticlah
When tho three evils to which have referred arc
corrected | think the police can be held to the strict
performance of its duty. and see no reason why II
sbould not become a thoroughly efficient ana satls
factory force Its members have life position ihen
nav is greater than that which can bc earned by
free and on arriving at sixty years OF age or III cast
OF disability earlier, they may be retired upon har
for life Tho sergeants receive ST. GOO per year. "Gn
is larger sum than usually earned by foremen IN
first rlass manufactures. They also nave rec ~
aflendance and pension on retirement. ihesc
occrs have recently applied for an Increase OF pay
which has refused by the Board OF Estimate anu
Arpoonment on the ground thsE ohSS of nav
ceve an adequate compensation Inc increase VI PS s
demanded would have increased the Duruen up1, w
Taxpayers about $4,000 for WINCH am nVc rV'o tho
SEQ any justification whatever On me az ,,r
pressure from the better class OF mechanics 10 clcr
upon police is constant and IS ho' Ito TO p " br
dercd at because they cannot hope IN INC D vi o'
business to secure for themselves and ther Ianies
provision ample as that which inc Id" i""N' i
tho police force
The only obstacle in the way of an efficient adnhu-
istra,on OF the police IS to be found IN the cohs''
ton of the Board ofCommissIancrS whichconS's'S VI
four members, two Of whom belong to each Oh INC so"'
noIi,icaI partes 1t was organized as partisan
po.rd bn as a matter of fact from lis very constr
t1',iaa IT ia nothing moro nor less than partisan
Rnard The patronage OF the Department y 80,
w divided betw cen tho Commissioners ana la,so
~ y, Ibor Iusncss has been in tho past 10 satisfy the
claims OF tns political parties whom .ney ~,
sent 1t is fatal to the police thai points Thcr
either into lis composition its adinhisI ncl
is no way so far | can see, To eet rlu vi ' 3i
but to place the management OF the ponce III n ,1o
- single Commits soner to DO appointed 10y inc la9u
and to mold Office during his pleasure ~ ooi pon
and honest Commissioner would tn an h"'T TI los
ability have A permane tenure OF ONCE. iheIc ia,
%cen M Mayor n my day who would dare 70 cohirolt
public opinion I'm he should remove & ,nct ina,
nom his poSltiop On the other hand mo iact ma ,
Te acts 81 the Commissioner would be thus subject
IN the supervision OF the Mayor, world ihsuro
% miItary organization. Divided councils IN us man
agoment can only be Injurious and under 10 ,i
stances should there DO four nsas IN General super
himself authorized TO give orders 10 .ne a. shirt
intendcnt do not make this statement ~ az S Pd1lcc
OF criticism upon the present With them have
found them to be Intelligent dlgen Zeaous' anu az
all times willing to act upon sni 70 hem But In the
execution OF their duty, they arc IN no psts IN
sponsblo to the Mayor. HIS so,J Po" removing any
watching what they may 40 anu III M ,,nyrnrshv "A
Commissioner whUm he may believe 10 % Wy VI
tho place, evidence which wf QUE case the
must be approved by tho Governor ne OILY eI 10
OF this provision is to make the Governor shn b@ Wayor
situation I'm the City of New YORK so 'ha' i ho bn
npd hoetato Tor n long time before he paccd inc
city under tho tactical control Oh an sdd While
IN" am unite clear that tho public interests woIIu o
promoted by th, change rccommehnco, up artv
t go Ear &c lave observed neither OF them IS VIII.
Ing TO part with the patronage TO "h'ch II "a" 10y
claim under tho present system - f., =. =,
,i,a onIv check upon the Commissioners Is 10 DC
tonnd I'm tho Civil Service law by when inc rang VI
selection narrowed 10 an eligible ilsl. sec Ana hts
polce commissioners arc somewhat rcstlve uhGer us
mitstlon and have expressed the opinion that anG
character OF the policemen thus secured mo- hose who
wore not subjected to competitive eXan,l'a1on'
THY alqvo at this conclusion by comparing eo , viii
.laPg
D S III 5nisSas in tbe whole forco selected undcr ne
old system after the careful ehnna.'oi m
arSicrs This is not Just standard OF coluPaI ~ 4
pt o"en 4, he claim of the Commissioners Dc @
70 be- true the evils OF politics ID inc POI u,V he vel
so sIIc, o" decided stem toward better government
c9n So civ Tn Illustration Of the Objectionable con
etitnton Of the Board lei me call attention 10 INC III
snt.o -, ths Dnrcau of Elections at this time Inc
term 81 the present incumbent OF thai once ma,
pred and he holding over oc AN sent e to the Comms
sioners by tho Civil Service Board me iam neS
tho Commlssones to SeSc fa led T." obey the law and
tbero is no power which can compel mem " i,n has
Meanwhile the holder OF tins hy his own party
tor his conduct in the last election ana he do
condemned for having resortea 10 vim tbc
nractIces SO that are presented WIN oo the
p, an officer charged with the duty OF snperso,s ,c o
oloctions who has been guilty OF condncrE an mon
zion I'm manner reprchensiDle as 10 Ian e"ocates
% 10 Condemnation OF his own political ,m -
How long the selfrespect OF the Poice f bmt # Is
Nv, nc scandal 70 continue cannot pirdct, pu, L
low ms WHY there should be change IN me
constitution OF the Commssio" WIN"
St. ,,, no,DD
Intimately connected with the efficiency OF no po'',o
ia tho administration of the laws relating u oN'.oo
In all civilized communities, 1t Is the prac'lcc W
the traffic I'm alcoholic beverages. Ihuceu' J." 9
them II has been attempted t. prohibit inc sao VI
,ax,oon,s altogether The feeling among though'lui
neoplc IS practically unanimous in favor OF the larses
restriction upon the sale Of Intoxicating LIQUORS "nvn
in ,ractIco can he niade effective AS society -
~ nrohIbtinn nay lie declared to be fal1c
Ne an" tieiefnre driven to the regulation 9 nne
and II is tho part Of satemfnshlp TO pu, rbs Which
ia Giant hands under rules and on cOhutoh ", IL
can lie enforced TO attempt to enforce the
&c Simnlv Ia tring the law into contempt ana ~,
o. Law f. greater evil than unregnlaied alcOhoi!c
traffic The experience of the Excise Boad In n aic S ~
hss shown during the last year that higher d,S ~
@ b.e tended 10 raise the character OF the establish
ments where Intoxicating liquors arc soil The amour.
Of money hus secured &c the pooe 1SIs ss an ar
largely lnCItdScu pu' -, uhafeVer II Is