Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-04
THEY TURNED HIM DOWN
Police Commissioners Refuse to
 Accept
CRAWFORD'S CREDEN TIALS
Was the Governor Right?-This Is an Issue Before the Present Board Annual
 Report of the Chief of Police.

The police commission met last night and elected MT A. B. Stevens chairman. MT. J. P. Mudd, the retiring chairman, called the board to order. He stated modestly, with well chosen phrases that his term of office had expired, after which he formally introduced his suc- cessor, MT. w. w. Crawford, who at once assumed the duties of chairman and requested the recording secretary. MT. w. c. Garrett, to read his creden- tials.
 MT. Garrett read the following letter:
 State of Alabama, Executive. Department,
 Office of the Governor
 Montgomery, Ala, Jan. l. 1896 MT. Webb Crawford, Birmingham, Ala
 Dear Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the governor has appointed you chairman of the police commission or Birmingham. Very respectfully, w.. J. MAIDEN, Private Secretary.
 Dictated, M S.
 Immediately after reading the letter MT Garrett stated that the first business pefore the board would be the election of temporary chairman. This brought out a contention between MT. Crawford and the other commissioners, the former in- slstlng that his credentials entitled him to the office and the others maintaining that the governors appointment to the chairmanShip was invalid though they recognized MT. Crawford as an author ized commissioner. MT. A. B. Stevens was then elected temporary chairman and afterwards chairman of the police commission, MT. Crawford protesting with negative vote, which he requested the secretary to record.
 MT. Charles Brown attOrnev for Mir Crawford, was granted the privilege of the floor, and he gave his opinion that the governor was lawfully authorized to make the appointment to the chairman ship.
 Attorney S. D. Weakley was asked for his opinion, and he held the contrary view
 The report from the chief of police was read, summarized as follows:
 Birmingham, Ala. Jan. 1, 1896. To the Honorable Board of Police Commis- sioners, Birmingham, Ala.-
 Gentlemen: l have the honor to sub init herewith my annual report of the po- lice department for the year ending De- cember 31 1895.
 The report exhibits in detail the trans actions of the department, name and rank of officers and members of the force, amount of stolen property recovered and statistics and information relating to po- lice matters, which it is supposed will be valuable for reference and information of other departments and the public.
 Comparison with the reports of police departments of other cities show conclu- sively that we have better service and at less cost than any other city of equal size in the United States.
 The work of the patrolmen speaks for itself. It gives me great pleasure to re- port my confidence in the greater num- Der of the force, their appreciation of hpi nd hni fa fi11 oba of them. Of course no organization which has military or semi-military character can be of value unless disci- pline is maintained. While it has not been my desire to be unreasonably arbi- trary or exacting in this respect, I have recognized the truth of this statement and have felt it my duty to insist upon the maintenance of proper discipline at all times.
 By reason of the lack of employment and consequent suffering of individuals and families for the necessities of life, the temptations to crime have been very strong. Quite number of men whose past lives contain records of crime, but who had given up criminal habits for reg ular employment, lost their situations and seemed to have no resource in their struggle for existence except their for mer Illegal levies upon the property of others The tramp nuisance was large ly increased. These conditions made the duties of this department more eXacting and demanded more constant care and greater labor. am glad to say that I believe Birmingham has met these un- usual demands quite as successfully as any other city and that serious crimes have been prevented. However much care and thought may be given by board for the prevention of crime, and however zealous chief of police may be to carry out the general policy and di- l.t~ can be obtained without the earnest CO., operation of the officers and patrolmen on the force. They must not only pos sess courage, but also wise judgment. The instructions as to the discharge of their duties can only be general. Par ticular cases demand great discretion and prompt decision, where there is no time to advise with superior officers Above all, there must be strict obedience and loyalty to those in authority. If the policeman enters the force with the ex- pectatlon of doing only so much as will exempt him from the official charges and enable him to draw his salary with com mendable regularity, the whole depart ment will suffer- If, above this, jealousy of his superiors or associates finds place in his heart, he becomes more than use less. Unquestioning obedience pride in his department and unswerving loyalty must be cardinal principles in his esti- mate of duty. The force has been very successful in preventing crimes and also in the apprehension of criminals.
 Crime will be committed, no matter how carefully the police guard against it. but the efficiency of the police is shown by the celerity and certainty with which it hunts down and secures the criminal
 Increased Force.
 The financial condition of the city has forbidden the employment of as large a force a is needed for SO extended terri tory as is embraced in our city limits. The mounted patrolmen, by their ability to cover in the same time arger beats than can be guarded by those on foot have assisted materially in the protection of property and life; but there still exists a crying necessity for more men.
 Anonymous Complaints.
 It is certainly the duty of every good citizen to aid the department in the maintenance of good order and the pre- vention of crime. If violation of the