New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-22

lD4t that H. 5lDuit D. htF't'''A Ai'''
that the duty % appointing inspectors % ~
Should b. transferred 10 "a separate bureau. , 49,,
u.ndina In Aibany up to d recent date. and have
given them as careful examination as me iiHllt %
S S.i' anI r@ur Assembly bls treating upon the
subject OF Police Commissioners OF the Ci'y u
rhe hrs: one in date was senate bill No; IS. in
troductd January .. 1884,. by Mr. LeXow me mex, mex
airy 10. 1851 By Mr. Thornton ms was l0';o"-
on January IS By Ass-mby ni so: ~ Len
bly, bl so. So was introduced by Mr.. Nray.
THE MAIN PURPOSE THE SAME.
These bills are 50 nearly alike that they may be
considered together. Thu main purpose is the same
in ali OF them. since they all propose TO abolish
the office OF Police Commissioner OF the CRY OF
New-York. and provide shat hereafter the head OF
the Police Department shall be called the Board
Of Police This IS mere change OF name without
any change as 10 functions to be performed. Each
bill also provides that not more than two OF the
Board Of Police shall at any time belong 10 the
same political party. or have the same political
faith or opinions on State and National Issues. The
bills ar" not all in accord as 70 the time Wnen
these changes shall take place. nor as TO the
method Of filing vacancies.
TIE bills of Mr.. Lawson and Mr.. Wray provide
tHht 'our COhlliS*l'l"Is sn"" De Eo'.i ipi " ee
electors at general LECTION ana Visr scielne
Of election BY which both parties shall be evenly
represented IN the Board; nut, IN ADDITION. ne
Wray bHl provides that the superintendent OF Po-
lee shall b, cX-0iic) member Of the Board.
which would raise it5 membership to five.
The laws ~ the organization OF the Police Board
were formulated n what Is known as the Consoll-
dated AL the laws affecting the city OF Network
IN Chapter 40 ~ the Laws Of lss2 The Police De-
Iariment Is treated OF IN scion OF SAID act act;
TINS cAaptcr was very materially amended IN 1871
by chapter 49, page 20. Of the laws OF that year.
since thu, date there have been no police bills
passed affecting materially the question that we
are considering. The law Of lsS2. as amended by
sioners t. b. appointed by the Mayor. No attempt
was made IN the law to give the Board nom
sentiment. thar practice was observed by all OF the
Mayors having appointments TO make until
Or three Democrats and only one Republican.
WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN.
on the face Of it. II there were an honest admin
!s,rat!on Of the law BY the appointing power. +; Is
eminenuy fair AMI just that each party should
be equally represented. Experience, however has
established that 50 long as the appointing power
IS with the Mayor. sood results In the admin
istration OF the city government flow from
such party division Of the board
IL is believed. and It is undoubtedly true that
this division has laid the foundation for the deals
and arrangements between party leaders which
have been such bane to the government OF this
city. tnu the electors OF this city appreciate that
the public interests require the election OF a mayor
who Is imbued with the sentiment that a good gov
eminent for the city IS the aim and purpose Of his
Office rather than the promotion OF his party no
partisan board We are OF the opinion therefore
that there should b. no change in the present law
Mayor 1t IS better To- leave the entre resT ~
s.oilt,y win him than 70 enact into the law that
me lpubhcans e. Ice selected are TO be designated
Tho efficiency OF the Police Department would I'M
Coubied.y De- promoted by a single head rather
than by a board Of four. If the single head were
The administration Of the Police Department should
De- IN iact and TN spirit. emancpated and divorced
formation OF the Police BOARD the commissioning
should be regarded as non partisan and judicial
plain duty u every pic oiiicer in the exercise ' Of
his authority 10 avoid all bias and Discrimination
on account OF political opinions or affiliations In
the lSht Of past experience police legislation should
ment from all political influence and activity and
the impartial and judicial discharge of its duties
MIR. sHEFFIELD's BILL CONSIDERED.
On February l. 1894. bill (No 456) was introduced
In the Legislature by Mr.. Sheffield. This bill pro-
poses to Increase materially the power OF the Si-
perlntendont emancipatng him still further from
the partisan influence Of the present Commission
ers such an act would undoubtedly, promote the
efficiency Of the police department. 1t is In the
direction Of concentrating the executive functions
OF the department. and to that extent is entitled to
commentator.
ON January IS a bin (No 219 was introduced in
the Assembly by Mr.. Thornton 1t is a general
bii applicable to all cities counties and towns and
seeks 10 compel n non-partisan administration OF
me various municipal governments OF the State
As Newly Ork il not excepted, its provisions would
seem To- apply 10 this city. The bill as proposed
IS wen Intended but vicious In principle and should
not be passed. ~ ~
In this connection we recommend legislation TO
remove from the Police Department the bureau
OF Eiec'ions. ana that some proper and safe com
mission be created to take charg, of the bureau
1t cannot be too often impressed upon the people
ttnat reform by act Of the Legislature Will ALWAYS
IAN until the people, through their intelligence and
regard for good government rise 10 the demands |
OF the, occasion and elect mayor who Will be
ueVoed to the interests OF the city rather than TO
II the laws now on the statute books were ad-
according 70 their spirit and intent New
YORK would have very nearly an IDEAL government
Inc iault Is not 50 much with the laws as with
me manner OF executing them. 1t is the agents
elected by the people to execute the laws who
sehuity OF designing men is capable OF perverting
To- TO- the worst uses any law, however carefully
nrawh, yet we may do something by LEGISLATION TO |
protect the rights Of the people and make it more
ancut FOR dishonest ana partisan officers to work
out a bad result from good law
80 Tar as the bills that have been considering
,,5on,ciihplate the scheme OF eectlng the Police |
Hoard we question their utility. Too many officers
lLe already elected on the general ticket There
should be more power conferred upon the Mayor |
a.her than less and he should be held responsible
IN our Judgment the efficiency OF the Police Com
''Ine,S would De weakened by subecting them
y gsniot ~, TO partisan contest. 1t would be
oI ihe Police Department to collect or pay directly
y, uIsGty any political assessment money for
my PoHucal purpose whatever
CIVIL SERVICE LAW SHOULD RE AMENDED
The Civil Service law should be amended and |
strengthened. and all persons seeking to enter the |
po"Ve service should be freely allowed to offer |
themselves for examination. irrespective OF political
opinions or official favor. SO long as men secure |
appointments the police force by what is ponu-
''S KNOWN as "A pull" or through the influence |
NEUUu,ap & Cn So M