New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-15
SEND BACK THAT CHECK.

The Broadway and Seventh Avenue Railroad
Company is reported to have contributed
81 600 to the Police Pension Fund, accom-
nanying this gift with an official expression Of
annrobation and gratitude for the Judgment
and efficiency displayed by the police during
the recent strike. The company's check for
81 600 ought to be sent back forthwith. 1t
stands for a false idea and furnishes bad
example.
Our readers do not need to be reminded that
during and after the strike THE TRIBUNE COM
mended the police for bravery and sef-restraint
under perpleXing circumstances and exceeding
provocations. Our contemporaries did the
same The newspapers assumed to speak for
the people by whom the police are paid to do
their duty. not in behalf of any individual or
corporation. The police deserved praise be-
cause in preserving the property of the street
railroad companies, in protecting new employees
50 far as they were able against intimidation
and violence and in defending the peace OF the
CITY. they cared for the public primarily ana
only incidentally for the corporations IL II
highly proper for the Police Commissioners
renreSenting the municipality, to issue an OH
ciol commentator in such case, ana tnere
may be no improperly in the verbal recOSh-
ton by individuals and corporations OF wise
and skilful performance of duty. But moro
than this is wrong Without intending to DO
so the Broadway and Seventh Avenue Rail
road has set dangerous precedent. Inc
police are not its employees, proteges or scr
wants Their relation to that company IS pre-
ciselv the same as their relation to every otnef
coronation and to every citizen, and any aco
v,bich tends TO obscure that fact is repreheh-
sible
The pension fund to which the contribution
of 81 .O0O has been made may be regarded aS
practically a part of the poicemens wages,
since il operates to make the obligation OF
saving some portion of those wages less I'M
| ncrative. We are well aware that this luna
is accumulated in many ways, and to con-
siderable extent through private contributions.
such contributions. made at ordinary times and
merely as an evidence Of general interest and
goodwill, may not be particularly ooJectioh-
able. though we have never believed that pup
lie officers should be the recipients OF private
charity in any form, no matter how remote the
association may be between obligation ana re-
ward. But when it comes to the beStoWal OF
q large sum Of money as an avoWed ackhOWi-
edgment on the part Of individuals, whether
singly or as a corporate body, of specific SER
vices actually owned and paid for by the peo-
pie, then we think that there is danger OF
lamentable confusion of ideas.
1t will not do to say that single act OF that
sort does little harm. We venture to predict
that if this sum of one thousand dollars is cred
;+od m tho mansion fund there will arise more
or less uncOnsciously in the hearts of many po-
lcemen disposition to discriminate between
the company which has bestowed it and other
companies which neglect to follow the example,
and that when the next emergency comes it will
be marked by a dangerous lack OF zeal in be-
half of the latter and still more dangerous
excess of zeal in behalf of the former. Send
| hack that check.