New-York tribune., 1894-04-19
PFSCTE NEU- YORK At ALBANY.

Every publicspirited citizen must be graft
fed by the progress of the bill for the reform OF
the Police Department which was adopted by
the Assembly yesterday Evidence has been
| heaped upon evidence. proof upon proof, that
| since the police force of the metropolis was put
| completely under the control of Tammany Hall
| it has been used as an instrument OF evil at
! elections. and has fallen far below the lofty
standard which such an organization should
maintain in such a city as this. New-1orK mas
spent an enormous amount of money on It's po-
lice force Under the bill which was passed
several years ago authorizing an addlton OF
one hundred men every year the numbers OF
the force have been so Increased that there are
nearly four thousand men to-day on the pay
rolls Of the Police Department The area OF the
city of New-York is much smaller than the area
of Chicago, Philadelphia and some other Amerl-
can cities. A force Of nearly four thousand men
ought TO be able to accomplish everything III
this city which the most eXacting critic of
municipal institutions could demand: but I'M
fortunately. the feeling has prevailed through
out the department that praise and promotion,
reputation and distinction were 10 be gained
by partisan services 10 Tammany Hall. rather
than by faithful performance of duty in the
public interest. Tammany has debascd and de
graded the Police Department. Under the Dill
which was passed by the Assembly yesterday
reforms of the greatest importance and value
ought TO be accomplished.
With two resolute and high minded Repub-
lican Commissioners in the Police Board. Dem
ocratic inspectors, captains. serScanS. rounds
men and patrolmcn will no longer be able to use
the tremendous authority and power Of the
department for the purpose of injustice ana
OPPRESSION OF blackmail and eXtortion for the
enrichment Of the Tammany bosses. and the
promotion of Tammany schemes. Intimidation
at elections will be checked. The Republican
and independent voters will obtain their rights.
The violations Of the Election law, the Outrages
and abuses at the polls will be suppressed; in
fact. great changes for the better will be made.
This Legislature has many important duties
to perform in the comparatively few days left
before it adjOurns. The people Of Ncw-lork
will not forgive Republicans in the Senate and
Assembly who fail to do their full duty. The
SaXton Blanket Ballot law ought surely to be
sent 10 the Governor. 1t will be Il disgrace 10
the Republicans of the Assembly If they do not
pass this excellent and admirable measure. II
is sorely needed in New-YOrk City and through
out the State. Republicans who fail 10 support
it with energy will be recrcant TO their party,
and will deserve the scvcrest condemnation.
All the bills intended to benefit the city and 10
clear away Tammany abuses ought to be adopt
ed in the few remaining days Of the legislative
session The bill 10 give the next Mayor the
power OF removal of heads of departments
ought TO become a law. If it is defeated the
Republicans in the Legislature will be held
vigorously responsible for the disaster and they
will have occasion to regret their failure to do
their duty for the rest Of their lives. The Tam
many police courts must be ceansed. The infa-
nous Tammany Board Of Police Justices, the
infamous Tammany Board Of Coroncrs, must be
reorganizcd: the miserably inefficient and con
temptible Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn
Bridge must be abolished: the Tammany grip
on the real estate dealers of NewYork must be
loosencd; the Park Board must be freed from
Tammany control; every reform which has been
proposed at Albany this session in the public
interest must be carried by the Republicans in
the Senate and Assembly. or they will surely
be held TO a severe accounting. Not one Of the
reform measures which The Tribune and other
Republican papers have been supporting zeal
ously ought to be permitted 10 fail.
Mr. Croker and Mr.. GirOy are we'll satisfied
with the Police Department and the other Tam
many departments of this city, but the people
are not they demand radical changes and i'm
provcments: and they also demand the over
throw Of the corrupt combination between Tam
many Hall and the Manhattan Elevated mo-
nopoly. We must have rapid transit. and this
Republican Legislature must give it to the city
Of New-York.