Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-31

Senator Call of Florida has constituent
whom he desires to have transformed into
a policeman: not Florida policeman. but
\ District OF Columbia policeman. And on the
ground that Florida has at present no rep
resentatiye on washington's police force he
calls upon the Commissioners to appoint this
constituent The proposition is Extensively
unjust to the people of the capital. and, as
the city officials may fail to mention this fact
20 Senator Call. The Star is determined that
he shall not long remain ignorant of the
Truth. Up to a little while ago the only
men who could secure appointments on the
local police force were those who had
served hono-ably in the army or navy of
the United States. who had resided a
sufficiently long period il the District. and
who were physically and mentally qualified
10 perform the at times dangerous or deli
cate duties Of guardians of the peace. Then
the courts decided that the army and navy
clause of the statute-inserted for the pur-
pose of favoring veterans of the late war
but latterly falling to benefit them because
CT the age linit-was no longer effective.
The new condition was greeted quite heart
fly. fo- il enabled the police department to
engage. without restriction. the services of
vigorous and intelligent men who had re-
sided here for considerable period, and
who, other things being equal, were there
fore much better fitted than any non
resident possibly could be. But no sooner
had the restricting army-clause been dis
posed Of than the politicians in Congress
commenced to make a raid upon the de-
pa-tment and. as a result. many incom-
petent police-officers are doing duty in this
city at this time. 1t may be that the
political appolntees are conscientiousy
engaged in trying to do the best they know
how. but when they are handicapped
by the ignorance to be expected in men who
know nothing Of either the city or the peo-
pie. they cannot but be unsatisfactory public
servants. Senator Call is not the only sin
ner, but the publicity given his request to
the Commissioners has directed attention to
the case in which he is interested and
affords an admirable text for those who like
10 discourse in favor OF home rule. 1t is
but a little while since another Senator
asked the chief of police to hold untitled a
vacancy until he could bring up a man
from South Carolina to occupy it; a request
which was probably complied with. Others
IN power have done just what Senator Call
seeks to do. and still others will continue to
co so until the controlling officials stiffen
their respective bacRbones and insist that
the District of Columbia shall not be i'm
posed upon, shall rot be compelled to Muui-
date the political Indebtedness of those who
become prominent by the SURFACES of voters
IN distant states. II the positions on the
local police force are TO become political
spells. apportioned among the respective
states as rewards to strikers. for political
services rendered, and men ignorant even of
the streets of the city, to say nothing of its
laws. recognizing no obligation to the local
II and nr,Ix- to N,I;t a.
Senate or House who appointed them, are to
he imposed upon the city as guardians of
the peace. the repeal of the army provision
absurd and injurious as that law had come
TO be in results. is to be regretted, for the
last state of the police force will be worse
than the first There can be no discipline
when the superintendent does not appoint
his men on the score of efficiency or retain
them for merit, but has trem appointed
for him, because they worked TO elect some
body al Florida or Oregon. The material
interests. the safety and the credit of the
city. demand that the police force be made
up on commol-sense. business principles.
The policemen are employed by the people
Of the city to protect life and property, ard
TO serve as the agents of the law. Fitness
for the efficient performance of these SER
vices should be the test of employment;
and the fact that man is a successful
political worker in Florida, or Oregon, or
Maine. instead of assuring appointment,
should disqualify him at once. on the score
Of necessary ignorance Of local conditions,
and the general unfitness of the political
striker to make a well-disciplined and eff
Gent policeman. 1t is understood that the
District Of Columbia has not, at present,
any representation upon the police force
OF Jacksonville. Florida Will 1T not be in
order for the District Commissioners to
apply to Senator Call to correct this in
Justice by securing the appointment of
some OF our local political strikers upon the
Jacksonville force?
The manner in which The I,rorida,+ ..A