The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-03
A LEXOW NEEDED.
MCCOppin Scores Crowley
Once More.
Police Doing the Dirty Work o.
the PoIiticians-RetaiI Liquor
Dealers Are COerced.

Postmaster McCoppin dipped his pen In
vinegar yesterday and indited another episte
to Patrick Crowley, Esq, Chief OF Police. In
this second communication MIR. McCOppin
plainly designated how the boss system is
running the department, and intimates that the
lquOr-dealerS are becoming the prey OF tile
blackmailers and intimidatOrs OF the force.
Following is the letter:
p. Crowley, Esq, CHIEF OF Police, San Fran
ciSco-DEAR SIR: There shall be no contro-
yersy OF u personal nature between US. My
feelings toward You are now, as they have
been in the past. most friendly. l feel assured
that you Will issue the instructions TO the men
as published and that by no word OF yours will
they be gainsaid. But L must speak frankly
about this business. The impression has gone
abroad that there Is one potential overshadOw-
ing influence In your commission. That it
causes vacancies in the force at will and nils
them en- bloque. and as a consequence the
morale OF the men is lowered. and me service
Is not what il should b.. Most OF the 800 men
under you have, assume, families 10 care for.
and as employment al S1O2 per month, with
the promise of Il pension and an interest III a
life ana health fund, Is not easily obtained
these times, anything that meLaces Tie stability
OF that employment is bad for the men and
ruinous TO the service.
How must man feel going his rounds and
liable at any moment TO be called upon TO risk
his life IN the discharge OF duty who knows in
his heart that hidden but powerful hand may
then be raised TO strike his name from the Tos-
| ter in order TO make place Tor some political
| favOrite? The effect of these conditions Is to
set in motion two pernlcious activities, botn
! tending 10 the degradation of the service. The
man in office anxious to hold his place may be
! influenced TO wrongdoing politically, while the
man who wants to get it away from him will be
| stimulated TO extraordinary effort in order TO
| placate the boss and get the appointment. II
was not for this that the act OF 1878 was
| passed.
Again, 1t Is stated that your commission is
| being used TO coerce the retail liquor dealers
| TO act politically in given way. AS they can.
| not obtain license 10 carry on their business
| without the approval of your board it can
readily DO seen what tremendous power
! could be exercised In that direction With
| complacent Boards OF Supervisor. and Police
| Commissioners the dives ana side entrances
could be all revived and act in motion again
ana it is asserted that intmatlOns favorable &c
such results have been given out for the pur-
pose of Influencing political action. | do not
wish TO be understood as saying that L believe
! these assertions are true as 10 your board buI
! l want you 10 understand that thew are heinz
made. to the great prejudice OF the Police De
| partment
You and perhaps others may think me over
Jealous in defending the act of 1878 and irving
| TO save IL from perverston. But the act is
| mine, and L alone Know what IL cost 10 uass n
through the Legislature. There are people
who think legislation of this character /.
effected with comparative ease, but they are
mistaken. Inc act IN question was before the
Legislature fully three months, and its passage
was resisted, obstructed and fought at every
stage. Every corrupt and criminal influence IN
! ibis city was opposed 10 il. BY taxing vice
$4,000 was raised here aud sent TO Sacramento
y" ueioat AZ, anu tHo iASL gay out one OF lDs
| session IL was taken to The Governors Office
without an enaeling clause. 1t required a con
| current resolution to restore II 10 It's proper
| condition before 1t could receive the executive
| approval.
| The act was meant TO be In the interest oil
| GOOD morals and good government. blessing
! TO this community; and / shall resent and de
| nounce any and all efforts, no matter by whom
mace, 10 perVert 1t or turn it into an instrument
| OF oppression aud degradation TO the men whom
| II was meant TO protect. Respectfully yours
| FRANK MCCoPPIN.
San Francisco. November 2. 1894.