The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-21
New York and its Good Name.

New York and its Good Name.
Undoubtedly the very extensive changes
In the disposition Of tho police which were
ordered on Tuesday by the Police Commits.
sioners were. in part. provoked by the
wholesale charges Of corruption which have
been made against tho force.
The transfers OF police Captains. II seems,
were determined upon several weeks ago
when these charges were investigated by
the Grand Jury without other result than a
prcsentment OF mere suspicion. At the
same time 1t was arranged to make radical
changes In the disposition OF the force OF
ward detectives. or course improvement
IN the efficiency OF the department Is the
main motive Of the Commissioners and
the Superintendent. but incidentally the
vague gossip and scandal OF tho public
and OF the Grand Jury room have had
an Immediate influence in producing re-
suit which Is probably desirable. II there
were that general and systematic corrup-
ton OF the police by brides which has been
rumored and insinuated so long. and which
was assumed by tho Grand Ju:y. altogether
without evidence to sustain the suspicion.
changes SO sweeping could not DO made
with such recklessn ,ss for tho Implication
has been that the whole Police Department.
from the Commissioners and the Supern-
tendent down to the Captains Of precincts
and the very patrolmen. have profited by
the corrupt system.
The new arrangement indicates also that
the Democratic government OF New York
is an efficient government for the preserva-
NJ <,r1A md thn t,1, 80
lawless. II any improvement results from
It, the happy consequence will BIO further
proof Of the advantage to this town OF Demo-
cratic unity. That unity has given the
Democracy complete and indisputable con-
troll OF the municipal administration In all
Its departments. and the party is RESPONSE
ble to the people. and alone responsible. for
the government OF the city.
New York Is not now governed by q fac
ton Of the Democracy. but by the whole
Democracy. Because OF this union tho
party IS so strong. SO impregnable In its
position. that it has no need to curry favor
ut the expense OF administrative efficiency.
Representing tho will of two-thirds OF
the people. tho Democratic govern
ment Is independent OF such considera-
tions. always powerful when the con-
troll Is held by faction or by Il Mugwump
fusion. Hence our municipal administra-
ton now better serves the true and general
public interests than at almost any past Pc
rlod. and as the continuance OF Democratic
unity 10 assured. the Improvement will go
on and will increase. The demonstration
to tho public OF tho advantages to the city
OF q responsible party government IL so
complete that all attempts to substitute for
It an irresponsible fusion Oh tho vicious
theory Of "severlng municipal politics from
national politics." will BIO utterly hopeless.
The Democratic party will again elect Its
candidate for Mayor next autumn, and by
an overwhelming majority Progress and
improvement In the municipal government
will consequently continue uninterrupted.
incidentally to the new disposition OF the
police with reference to increasing their
efficiency In tho enforcement OF law and the
maintenance of order. tho District Attorney
should proceed to investigate every charge
OF bribery which concerns the faithful prr-
Torrance OF their duty. Hhey nov suffer
under an implication OF tho Grand Jury
that they arc systematically corrupt. SELL
ing immunity to law breakers. and taking
pay for negligence in the execution OF their
evidence to sustain 1t ought to be used ut
once to bring the offender to punishment.
Nothing 30 far presented by the Grand
Jury affords any justification OF criminal
proceedings against any police officer. Not
Q shadow OF evidence inculpating the police
as whole or any policeman In particular
has been obtained. Proof has been fur
nished. however. that a citizen attempted
tO bribe an officer without success, and
thus the basis for proceedings by tho Dis
trict Attorney has been laid. and he cannot
escape from instituting them without dan
gerous neglect of duty.
In the case OF Mr.. T. l.. GoDKIN. the ed
itor OF the Evening Post. there are grounds
for a charge OF attempted bribery which
seems to be indefensible. Mr.. GODKIN
confesses that he tried unsuccessfully to
b:ibc Offlcer Connolly when he came to |
his house to serve O warrant OF arrest |
Issued by tho Jefferson Market Police Court. |
Asto the fact there is no dispute. The would |
DO bribcr has nothing to say In extenuation |
OF his offence. except that the bride was |
ransom. or course. the bride was offered |
as ransom to buy release from the officer. |
Here. then. Is the evidence for which the |
Grand Jury and the courts have been look |
Ing so long. 1t Is not mere suspicion,
gossip. scandal, or malice. but fact which |
can be proved legally and which Is con- |
fes5cd by the criminal.
Moreover. no case OF the kind could have |
arisen moro lihely to impress on the public /
mipd and conscience the Nervousness OF the |
erIme NJ hriharv IL has also occnrrcd uh,n