St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-06-02
4 LAST WORD.

The GLOBE has carried the discussion
over the proposed appointment OF War
den GARvIN as the successor of Chief
CLARK to point where it is willing to
leave it for while and permit the dis
interested public TO contemplate and
ponder over the situation.
As the matter now staudS. the flrSt
official act of our reform" municipal
administration is of such character
that in order TO defend it its newspaper
spokesman is compelled to resort to low
abuse ana personal vilihcatiOn of Us
critics. The Pioneer Press openly de-
clareS that the many respectable citl-
zens who have with dignity and serious
ness questioned the wisdom and the
legality of the course Col. WRIGHT has
determined on have taken this position
because they are fearful that change
in the composition of the police force
will result in an interruption OF crlml-
Eal conduct in which they have hitherto
been permitted to indulge with impa-
nifty When men of good sense and pre-
sumably gentlemanly instincts have to
yelp in such cur-like fashion that their
cause may not be without arguments,
their cause is surely desperate one.
This first official act of our reform"
municipal administration is, moreover.
OF such character that. in order to JUS
tify it, its newspaper advocate mas to
maintain that the lower the rank of a
city official the higher are the Qualifica-
tons the law demands of him. Accord
ing to the Pioneer Press style of
statute construction. to be patrolman
in st. Paul one has to be citizen of the
United States, able to read and write
the English language, resident of the
city and of good health and physique
but the MANNED, the halt. the blind, the
alien, the ignorant anu the decreDit are
freely eligible to the post OF chief, of
captain, of lieutenant and of sergeant.
A pretty army its system devises for US,
where the able-bodied men are i'll the
ranks and the generals may be fools,
foreigners or invalidS if the mayor
chooses to have them such. A cause
which puts common sense and logic
thus head downwards is cause fated
for violent end.
Lastly. the first official act of our ire
form municipal administration is of
such character that,in order to defend
ii, its newspaper champion has to ap
pIaud briberS, make light of a violation
of law. and frankly indorse a further
increase OF our public expenses. The
gift of $500 year to Mr.. GARvIN in
addition to his salary from private
sources is a ''gratHity," and is forbidden
by our charter. 1t is as reprehensible
as it would be for paIrOIman to accept
tips" from the citizens who live on his
beat, and when the Pioneer Press
apologies for it. it apologies for
serious offense against COOL
morals and the code. When it
hints that this is only temporary in
crease. to continue until the legislature
will authorize an increase in the chiefs
salary, it discioSeS the hypocrisy of the
recent reform" movement. Col.
WRIGHT was elected on an issue of re-
trenchment; and now. before he enters
his Office, he decides Oil measure
which requires an Immediate unneces-
sary addition to our annual outlay. A
cause which trampleS on the statutes
and wantonly breaks the spirit of the
most solemn pledges is bad one.
And here the Gl.oBE is willing to
leave the matter for a while.