Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-11-24
REFORMiH0 the POLICE FORCE.

Those .'refOrmers' who think that
nothing under the sun Of which they
ARE not In control or command IL hon.
cstly or we'll managed will now have
an opportunity Of showing to the pub.
lic through the new police commission
for that's what II amounts toD In how
far their UtOpian ideas can BE- carried
into effect In public affairs ana fitted
to the necessities Of the day and the
hour.
The police force of Chicago has been
for years the butt for every shaft Of
calumny, criticism. ana general abuse
intended for the administration Of mn.
niclpal affairs In this city. 1t II
through this target that the carping
critics. the purists. ana the notoriety-
seekers have always endeuvored TO
pierce and wound the feelings Of every
city administration for the past twenty
five years. Politics on the police force!
Thuggery on the police force! Black
mailing on the police force! Protection
~ gambling by the police force!
These have been the charges and
imputatiOns upon which the changes
have been rung for II quarter of CEN
fury. The police force has not In that
space Of time been exempted from
them under any administration. Demo-
cratic or Republican. Mayor Hopkins
has decided to take those gentlemen
at their word. lie has appointed II
committee consisting of two of the most
leading and active spirits In the many
sO-called reform movements and or.
ganizations with which Chicago II at
present blcssed-John W. Ella and
John il. Hamlinc-and gentleman
lately u member Of the present city
administration. hut now II private
citizen-Harry Rubens-with full pow
ar to take the police force In hands and
reform II IN any way they may In
their wisdom see lit.
The great cry among the so-called re-
form element has been for civil service
in the police force. This committee
has been authorized to establish civil
service system. and to move the Legis-
lat,Ire 10 make that reform permanent.
In fact, the Mayor has practically alb
,licated his position as chief executive
of the city, so far rs the police force h
concerned, deposed the General Super
intendent Of Police aud delegated the
powers, duties and prerOgativcs of
both officials Ia This Police Commission
or committee. The wisdom or unwis.
dom Of Mayor Hopkins in so acting
will be demonstrated within very
brief period OF time. The Mayor has
Int few months of his present term
10 serve out. The reform committee
viii have to act within that time. The
members thereof say they viii. Now
II behooyes these gentlemen, when
they do act, 10 carry into effect The
glowing theories upon which they and
those they represent have been so long
and so continuously eypatating or for
ever hold their peace.
Let these gentlemen now demon
strate how practical are the ideas on
which they have been so fond OF harp.
Ing. Let them forever completely di-
yorce the police from politics. and at
the same time see To 1t that the force
consists of Intelligent and patriotic cit
liens. Let them give the preference
take care that the rank ana file will
consist of men Of Drawn and muscle
who can cope with thugs, thieves and
assassins and hold mobs of rioters
ten thousand strong At bay. Let them
take measures such az will prevent all