The Washington critic., 1888-01-25
WAsHTNGTON. JAN. 25, 1883.
mn NEW poIICE nILL.

Sioners for an increase of the police !
force is moderate and reasonable as
the House may easily ascertain by
careful examination of the actual
needs of the District and comparative
statistics showing wherein Washing
ton is behind other large cities in this
respect.
Major Moore has data of the most
convincing character, and his last
annual report is evidence enough that
the increase ought to be granted.
The bill provides for an enlargement
of The police force to eleven lieuten-
ants, thirty sergeants, 3i5 privates,
nineteen station clerks, nine laborers
and increases the mounted force to
ihirty-fve.
Nothing is to be gained by piece
meal legislation. What needs to be
done should be done at once, not only
TO properly cover the territory to be
protected, but in the interest of more
efficient organization of the force,
which can best be effected by having
full complement of men in hand at
one time, instead of taking them in
by small annual installments.
Considerations of economy must not
be allowed to prevail against the
adoption of such measures of public
safety as are found to be absolutely
necessary. 1t is not true economy,
mother is it wise or just, to keep the
force down to an inadequate mini
mum ON the ground that it will "do"
for while yet.
The additional men are wanted now.
Like soldiers they require to be
drilled and disciplined in order to a
proper discharge of their duties and
while 1t may always be possible to
swear in special policemen for special
occasions, it is most unpleasant and
unsatisfactory necessity. 1t is some
thing always to be avoided if possible,
and il is not in that way that the force
can be improved.
The organization, to be effective and
reliable, must be of Il permanent char
acter and large enough for any emer-
gency that is likely to arise. The
cheapest way is the best way, and the
best way is to vote the proposed in
crease without delay.
CONGRESSMAN BoUTELLE should have
attended the Republican convention
yesterday in order to prepare himself
for brilliant speech in defense of
the oppressed colored brother in the
sunny South.
SENATOR PALMER in his speech yes
terday "called the turn" on indis-
criminate immigration when he said
it was time for this country "to cease
10 be Il dumping ground for the
vicious, delinquent human product
of other nations"
Mn. EDMUYDs will probably not ex-
pound his tariff views upon the floor
of the Senate this session. He has
sought a larger audience through the
columns of Harper's Magazine"
In this pronouncement he takes the
radical protection ground that the in
ternal revenue tax is entirely tax
,Sfpon the people and industries of the
United States, which is not the case
with the customs revenues. 1t is
furthermore discriminating tax
Chased upon selection of home
products" and indefensible because
violation of the just theory of
equality in taxation. Then what is
to be done to restore the harmonious
status that existed before the war I?
The Senator would abolish the whole
internal revenue system, excepting the
tax on national banks and leave the
customs laws substantially as they
are, thereby diminishing the reve-
nues mt least TO the point of the
absolute necessities of the Govern
ment. Between the views of Mr..
Edmunds, on the one hand, and Mr..
Mills on the other, the distance is
great and the abyss deep. Is any
body credulous enough to think that
the present Congress will bridge it.
The REPUBLICAN CONVENTION yes
ierday put its proceedings down in
black and white.
TIE PuILApELPHIA Times is of the
opinion that the Democratic National
Convention should be held either al
Saratoga OF Chicago Why not Phila
delphia? 1t may become necessary
TO head of the Republican boom fol
Mr.. George W. Childs,
JUDGE HAYES OF Iowa, who repre-
sents the second district Of that State
in Congress, considers it "in bad taste
and oilicious meddling for the people
Of Iowa TO attempt TO force legislation
upon the District in matter Of mere
local concern" having special refer
ence to the question Of prohibition
lie is right about it and all the busy
bodies who are flooding Congress on
this subject come under the same
category as the Iowa busybodies
II they are so much interested in the
welfare Of the District why dom
they send on petitions for something
practicable and desirabe-for build
ing q new City Postonice, for instance
the laying oi new sidewalks the