New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-25

COMMISSIONER WELIEs HAMPEHED N
TWO WAYS

FORCE INHERITED FROM DEMOCRATIC AID
MxlsrnArioxs SUPERINTENDENT CAMPBELL.
iNcAPAcTATEp FOR ACTIVE WORK.
The conduct of the Brooklyn police during tAe
recent strike The cause Of mucn ana not un-
deserved criticism especially IN the early part of
tho trouble The mernoer~ OF the fore took <, no
pains o conceal their sympathy with the strikers
and we're sluggish In the performance Of their duties
II IL charged that Police Commies oner Welles was
IN part responsible for the attitude ~ the men
under hi. control and there TO he some truth
IN the charye that he failed TO display sufficient
rgor nnd energy IN insisting on the strict enforce
ni-nt ~ the laws Later IN the struggle ne realized
IA. necessity OF a nrmer hand. ami took pains 10
Apply IT,
In Justice to the commissioner. however 1t must
be said that the fault much more with the force
man with himself and then. too. ne was ham
gercd by the fact that the Superintendent OF Police
IL an Old man who never leaves his ONCE. and who
Is unfit, by reason Of age and lnnrmties from tax
INK personal charge o. the police IN an emergency
IKE that through which Brooklyn has recently
passed A city official who Ia We'll Informed regard
Ink what il going on consented to talk freely on
he subject On condition that hs name "as not
used.
The fact IT," he began. That Commissioners
Wrl!es is not respOnsb.. for The condition OF t'e
police force. as a whole He inherited II nom ms
Predecessor ana the force IN the main. Is what IL
is essentially a Democratic force. ard have no
doub: that the members more than WILING
TO put the Schleren administration In hole II 'hey
could do | say 1t Is 4 democratic ior't ana
Il Is 80 In spite OF c!y.l Service regulations nov
1t may be regarded heresy TO say H. nu' Il "
nevertheless "A fact. to he best - my kHo"eise
and belief. that the character Of the force his hr,
ccgcneratng under ,nc application Of ClEI S..N.S
principles. And believe the same Is true OF inc
"Examinations in reaaing and writing and sen
eral knowledge all well enough IN thrlI WAY
but they DO not furnish an adequate lesr u az :"
mans qualihca lions for service as pohcothh VI
fireman In boih cases nerve IL prime $50
and no examination can determine whether or not
"A man Dussesses that. NJ rate. HDHi III -"
or,spnt system as under lie old one. and besides.
| with tn. privilege ~ making selections rom thc
paitisan will be sure take pains 10 appoint infh
| ~ HIS own party. Il Il is possible to una them
cratic administration few besides Democrats enter
| the civil Service examinations because u " a iaea
that I'm spite o. the restrictions OF the law. those
who ere Democrats have little chance OF getllnF
| appointments no matter how successfully they sd
go here has been letting down in the char
acier Of the poee iorcS and 1T Is '"y iorIs nh
erss NS% ws a% nG FOR thn c 10 made
some aen" Mistakes himself and ! am that II he
had dealt more severely WIN those memners Of
TN snd haq he Would e have the
era tone OF all the men under him mat IL VIVA
ration came into power. For several years. anC
| especially at the election when Iiooiy was can
dda" the Sf1na e ins Po and the worst Of
tenders ought to have been brought up with
| his would SAVIOR too much Of revenge. and so the
| public expectation Of n cleaning out was disap
pointed an. sooo 80 ,,o .,r,r.
| began though ! think things would have taken
different trend had Commissioner, W.les disp.ayeC
| a little more postiveness himself Then he was
IN TSa Tac hs ampD S S ss IN
doubtediy been an efficient man In his day. hut hi
| charei OF the police In any emergency. and II y
| and more vigorous man. There are strong influence
AZ worh In favor OF keeping him there. however an'
| erless Campbell has always been on the best o
terms with Wll!oughby Street. ana 1t rs gcneral!
understood that he makes s not .o h
sort Of man Brooklyn ought TO have at inc hrad o
It's police force even u he were ~ gooa h he5''
! enacted Will make possible the retirement OF IN
aged Superintendent II It passes COMMISSIONS
s Mees S Sf nes,maSIe %slue in the selection
Police Superintendent The new apronee wi vii
and the importance OF wise choice Is therefor
obvious. ,,,.. ...,,.u.,,,,
| IL Is plain that Commissioner Welles ought no; 4
be too severely blamed for the refciency OF the po
bers Sr' that s" there were dicut condtons witt
81 responsibility in falling to use ali his power
bring the force up to higher standard Of discipline
his 1 removal al was being circulated ba, nothing az
pears to have been heard about 1t since. Petition
! pie in New-York are already petonIng Mayo
Strong to remove the new street c.eaning Com
month and appears TO have made an excellent rec
ord for vsor and efficiency II seemed 70 me :, !
S" ss on w hs whS N G S
asking for the removal OF Comm asioner "cles
4 tptendent Campbell"