New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-01
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
CINCINNATTS EXPERIENCE IN EFFECT
ING REFORMS
METHODS BY WHICH THE POLICE FORCE AMI
THE CITY OFFICES HAVE BEEN CLEARED

To The Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The problem Of governing municipalities IN
the interests OF the people IS one that remains 10
be solved. Experience leads mp TO agitation looking
to improvement. but stu. in most cases, the peo-
pie continue to suffer. while partisan managers are
the chief financial benenciares. The recent police
Investigations in Ncw-York City throw food Of
light upon this subject; light too that mas served
TO stare the people who have lived in the midst OF
official corruption ignorant OF the situation, or
afraid to move In the direction Of reform.
Having read much about this. 1t occurred TO me
to write to The Tribune something about the re-
forms that have been brought about through agita-
ton in Cincinnati 1t Is true this city is not nearly
so large either in population or wealth as New
York: but st!. 1t Is large city, and the reforms
which have been effected here may prove useful to
the citizens OF your great metropolis. man who
imagnes that he has outgrown everything in the
way of information is naturally. in these days OF
growth and progress. fool. This suggestion IS
fGirly illustrated by recent anecdote concerning
Mr. quincy. lately connected with the State Depart
ment at Washington. An Indiana Democrat want
ed office. and sought an introduction from Sena-
tor voorhees,. He visited the department and I'M
dertook TO cnightcn Mr.. Quincy in regard TO prac-
teal affairs Among other things he told him that
ne knew about certain matters than the
Secretary did lie reported the result Of his Inter
view To Senator Voorhees,. and the latter remarked:
is it possible that you said TO Mr.. Quincy that
any one knew more on any gwen Sun1'cl tHiH Ht
did, The answer In the affirmative.
Then" said the Senator. you might as well go
home. for you will receive appointment"
Apply this to NcwYork CRY. 1t has a larger
population and greater wealth than any other city
in the Nation therefore it is apt to look with CON
tempt upon the experience Of other cities and 10
estimate its knowledge by the tables of population
and money.
Nevertheless. venture to make suggestions
through your columns to citizens OF New York city
and to the Legislature Of New-York state, based
upon the experience Of this city of 10000 nhablt-
ants and of wealth. actual OF $S""9G" First. as
to the police This force was until lately exclusively
political; IL changed with every change In admins
tration. Police spells regarded as the legiti-
mate property OF the victors at the polls. Police
appointments were. therefore. made without any
special regard to fitness. The Mayor was the APP
pointing power He free from control OF any
kind. As "A consequence II the Mayor was II Demo
GRAFT the police force was composed exclusively Of
Democrats: If the Mayor happened TO De a Repub-
lean. then 1t was exclusively Republican. These
changes sweeping in their character. occurred
every time that the politics Of the Mayor changed.
Even when a Democrat was elected to succeed
Democrat. or "A Republican to succeed Repuhli-
cam the policeman had no tenure OF Office His
appointment was a political reward
The aim OF this partisan force was to advance
the interests Of the party 10 which they belonged.
and in the enforcement OF laws this feature was
not overlooked Criminal classes therefore. were a
power I'm the city and natural result men on
the police force were governed b. those peculiar
considerations which wei known among the
law breaking classes RrNery and corruption exist
ed to an alarming extent. AMI general demoralza-
ton prevailed throughout the city. influencing even
many Of the Judges the bench. In our city ana
In our State the Judges are elected. In order TO be
elected they must be nominated. and you know
how great the influence OF political policemen. act
ing under the direction 81 tn" appointing power ~
in nominating conventions I'm large cities
At last change was decided upon. The Stn'e
Legislature passed n law providing for IN" "P
pointing by the Governor ~ bipartisan BoaH Oh
Police Commissioners. This Board is compo''' o'
two Democrats and two Republicans tn" Mayor
Of the CITY dominates TO this Board persons 10 act
as policemen. these require! 10 pass an OK
animation as to physical ability and moral char
actcr and when once appointed carno' De re-
moved except for cause. ana this ruS' "e W"
established after fair and Impartial trihiS. Inc
force therefore. IS a permanent o''' anu "o''
fund contributed by the policemen themselves "h'h
n man Is retired on the ground O, disability he re-
co,ves u pens,on As a result Of all this. Cincinnati
has now a police force that. AZ regards physlcal
strength. moral character ard general 'H''"'>'
will compare favorably with me best cities OF the
country The citizens are rronI of H. ana the po-
llceren themselves hold 10 high esteem 'h' "o'o'-
able positions they occuie.
In This connection II snou;I be stated that 10
lceman Is not permitted 20 take any part IN IN"
proceedings in politics. conventions nor AZ III"
polls except TO preserve order. lie Is a poli''cmh
only 10 the extent OF casting his own vote. ana
that he Il permitted to, do without fear or iaVor'
I, happe.s | believe that politically the police
f,rce * about evenly divided. but policeman may
vote as he phases. not vote al all. ana stands
I'm no dange- Of being removed from ONCE pro-
vidcd he proves faithful to the general trust re-
posel in him as a representative ~ the law ana
a custodian Of the peace and order OF the communi-
~ The Governor Of the State. In appointing com
,n,ss,orers il always careful to select reputable
c,,lzeus TO do otherwise would De at once u bring
down the condemnation OF our citizens These Com
n,esloners receive salaries Of s0 per annum there
fore the positions are honorable rather thah reHuh-
erative They rot required TO give their whole
fine 10 the business. but they devote sufficient
,i,, faithfully 10 discharge the duties Of the office.
There Is no oppOruny for corruption. even II there
was a disposition I'm that direction for the reason
that few changes made in the force, ana both
IN. Commissioners and the Mayor are constantly
exposed TO public criticism
In the next place. 1t was found that there was
great loosencss extravagancc AMI corruption in CON
nectlon with public offices and the expenditure OF
the money Of the people. The Legislature there
fore acting under the spur Of public sentiment.
provided for the appointment OF Board OF Review
composed Of six members. three Republican" ana
three Democrats. The law reads that not more
than three OF the members shall b" chosen IRON any
political party The result l. An fiua n'S.H H
between the TWO great poltical ORGANIZATIONS me
uurn,sn IL that there shall partisan poll
lies in the Board. At hrst the appointments
vrr. made By the three judges OF the SUI
nerlor Court. These wer" about as carefui
In their selections they usually are In the deci-
..inn nf cases that before Them. Tn" court.
however finally refused 10 act as an appointing
mower I'm matters Of this kind. AMI the law was 80
ppmendrd a. to cothc tho Mayor OF the city with
that power At the time the name OF the
board was changed from that 81 HeVie" ana Is
n",w knnwn as the Board Of Supervisors. No
changes have occurred since the organization OF the
hf,h ltk
nf thrse vacancies was filed t. the Superior Court
In comforting the appointing power upon the Mayor
4, became necessary under the provisions Of our
Constitution 10 abolish the Board. but Mayor Mosby
reappointed the five remaining members OF the
poard and filed the vacancy caused by death. TWO
members of this Board appointed for one year.
Zoo for tyo wears. and two for three years. They
cannot be removed except for cause.
This Board Of Supervisors exercises the authority
nposed by former laws on the Board Of Revision
Of the annual Board OF Equalization. Of the
DecenniaI Board Of Equalization and OF the
Board of Tax COMMISSIONER. Thus re