New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-05
WARMER MlLLERo IL W -
HE STANDS BY MA On . h0-'"'
TN FAVOR OF REFORM LEG'ShArio'
AND REPUBLICAN HARMONY

,,r DECLARES FOR THE POLICE MA'lS-
-rs FILL AND BIPARTISAN Po-
1,cr BOARD D-MR. MILLER BELIEVES
HE WAS pEFRAUDED OF THE
CovERNoRsH1P IN 1sSs.
rxcAnator Warner Miller made an important
statement Yesterday. which embraced his views
regarding reform legislation affecting the city
and also gave expression to his OPINIONS "i '"c
local political situation. Mr.. Millers declarations
vere prompted by the publication of various III
teryiews given out by politicians who professeo
10 represent the ex-Senators attitude on pu'.'
questions Of moment. Mr.. Miller. IN the SUI"
ioned statement proves that he is sui aou"u"'''
~ able to speak for himself ana mas "0 49,
whatever Of political interpreters H.. .
Ex-senator Miller prefaced his sta'e''en
remark about the dinner given by Cofneiu' ~
p,,s, -, rr;1,,, evening. February %. 10 num-
hor =. ,or,,en,en who are not in sympathy VII"
NJ p,a,t.s nolitical aims and methods MI NIL
ler wes one of Mr. Bljss's guests. Inc u'.'",'
has since been frequently refefIeu u d. Wv
sor Hotel conference Mr.. Miller descrlpeu II as
&c, ,r,vate conference of gentlemen auuihS 'a'
ho believed II to be the custom among gehueh'eh
.a tro,t such matters as confidential. but as so
much had been said about this gathering ne len
a. liberty to state what took place while he was
present.
THE WINDSOR HOTEL CONFERENCE.
IT was called Mr. Miller said to discuss the
various police bills and reform legislation before
the Legislature. and to determine wAat couia pe
done to promote their speeuN ei"O
tnuing. Mr. Miller said
,rho ,,.o ,,rircinal measures discussed were
those relating to the police magistrates anu IN. tne
reorganization Of the pohce system live, "l tnv and
Il was not called an anti-Platt meeuhg ailu
1ros M, such ANY one having broad experience
-, noI,tical affairs knows that 1t is Impossible 10
Crqanize n political party upon SO narrow quVS-
lion "a opposition to single indlVldual anu 'he
meeting referred to had no such object III view
and know Of no such movement on 1901 ]" '"e
have refrained heretofore from making my
views known upon proposed legislation Tor the
city because there has been i%eennE % III ~ t"t Wv!
that people from the country shouIu H. To- ~ ~,
fere or even express an opinion upon these mat
ters do not believe thlS trr To- pe tmr are drepIv
interested in the general Weltare OF 'he VltH "a
New-York The Republicans in the country. al
necessity take a great interest," In any iesietS s.h
lion affecting the control of elections by the
Police Department in this city For many years
they believe they have been cheateu oue ;.tnd wi
elections in the State by the frauds committed
in New-York and Kings counties. fraudS per-
petrated not only with the knowledge Dut iaIse-
iv bv the procurement of he police o! the tWo
cities 7 have some slight feeling upon the SUB
iect myself. 1t Is now an admitted tact 'nat
was defrauded of the Govern"rship oi Ahg '.a.e .e
~ Nev-York by frauds committed in the TWO
cities and the Republicans of the country dis.
tricts-"hayseeders as they are calledIwlll ho'
consent TO any legislation regarding the reor-
panizaton of the police force of this city which.
in their Judgment. will render IL possiDie or
nroba bJe that the department will soon fall into
tthe cona,tion from which il has been extricated
by the election Of last fall expressed my.
views upon the two measures at tnls coIlerenoe r,
very fully. and | nave no hesitation !" e'N'"e
them 10 the public
FOR THE REMOVAL OF POLICE JUSTICES
First. am most decidedly in favor Of the
massage Of the bill known the Police Magis-
trate bill which will remove from office all the
Police Justices Of this city. The investigation
made bv the LexOw Committee, although not
going into an investigation Of this department.
incidentally brought out evidence enough 10 snow
that no more corrupt ald 'yrannlcal courts hdNe
ever existed in any civilized country than me
police courts Of this city. They have been tne
terror not of the criminal class but OF the poor
class This criticism is not intended to apply
to every one Of the Police Justices. bellrNe
some OF them TO be pure and upright men. ana
would amend the bill as to give the Mayor
mower TO reappOint members Of the present
bench If he saw fit. This bill ought to be passed
al once. -, o,,,o
force There has been very much said about a
slngle-headed control. or d sngle-headed ON ON
mission but thus far there has been no asftc
mont upon that question among the leading cltl.
zens OF this city, nor in the COMMITTEE oi
Seventy. ! decidedly opposed TO siheI- i
headed commission. for reasons Whlcn 'Hihk
are good My idea Of proper reorgahlZduoh oI
the force is to give the Superintendent or Chlel
OF Police, he may be called, tne tntle p'"'4
of controlling the force Itself Of appointing cap
tains to their districts and Of detailing the men
in the force. This power ne should have entireIy
outside Of any power commission may nave.
The Superintendent should be appointed by the
Navor and ansWerable directly 10 him, and ne
should hold his office by a tenure as firm that
or the Sheriff Of the county or Distric-Attorney.
and he should only be removed on complaint by
the Mavor to the commission or Governor. and
a hearing of the case had he should be suspended
from duty while such trial was being had
RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD BE SINGLE
This would make the Superintendent alone re-
enonsible for the enforcement Of laws and the sup
,ross,on Of crime This should satisfy those who
demand a single head with responsibility. TO
meet the criticism Of those who believe that a
single head would be dangerous in the control Of
elections would have a bipartisan commission
70 control all the affairs of the department out
sidc Of those given to the superintendent Our
Government is a party Government ana every
man in IL not A political eunuch belongs to and
believes in the principles Of one party or the
other party. Unfortunately, many man IN the
administration Of a public office will so adniniS-
ter It 70 give the party TO which he belongs an
Undue advantage. The elections In this city IN
the past twenty years have proven TINS PROPOSE
uon beyond question.
bipartisan commission. consisting OF TWO
belonging TO each Of the principal parties. can
wen be trusted to administer the affairs OF thal
delar'ment, after having given the con'rDl % Oh
me force itself the Superintendent They
shoud nave under their control. OF course thc
@ppontment Of election inspectors. as provided
iOi by law. They should have control OF the
property that belongs to the department. make
al the contracts for the supplies make the rules
anu regulations and they should form con-
unuous court for the trial OF all offences com
lHitted by the police force itself. court should
not nave the power Of making complaints and
tnen trying them themselves. and II should not
oe IN control OF the details of The police force IT.
self
such court must be had If the Commission |
IS abolished and then another court will have to
oe organized for the same purpose-and 1t mat |
@ .ers not whether you call it court or com
iinIsson-which should be cCmposed Of men OF
Innn y,hn he ed is