The Irish standard., 1897-07-24
THE NEW YORK POLICE.

THE NEW YORK POLICE.
Some time ago an article from New
YORK attorney appeared in one of the
magazines dilating on the fact that III
all the principal cities of America
from the Atlantic to the Pacific and
| from the lakes to the gulf. men of Iris!,
names held prominent positions in the
various municipalities. tie particll-
larly dwell on the fact that Irish police
! men We're much in evidence in every
city OF the country. and that they
! gained their positions by HE activity
in politics of the Irish element of the
population.
In Il recon, issue of Muns"y's Maya
zine, Hon. Theodore Roosevelt. now as
sistant secretary of the navy. and re
Gently police commissioner of New
York. explains why the Irish policeman
Yields the baton and holds high posi-
tiUn in the police department. of chat
city.
"Of the men Of foreign BIRTH says
Mr. Roosevelt. who are appointed to
the force four-iifths are Irish The
hampcrcd by the necessity OF learning
a new language Unlike the German
he does not come from a country which
has been materially prosperous. and he
has not been accustomed 10 the sharp
competition Of modern Industrial and
commercial life. Serving the govern
ment appeals to him as something
which is attractive in itself. and whirl
confers dignity upon him. Among
New Workers of irish parcntage the boy
is rather more apt tnan among New
Workers Of other parenlage to grow up
among people who take great deal oil
interest in ward politics and in tho
local precinct heroes. among whom
some Of TIL" policemen are sure to 7.,
urr. The boy hears from his earliest
days a good deal about the force
and he wants to yet on it.
Besides. when he does set on he
who has studied the civil war needs
to be told that men Of Irish blood fight
we'll: and the career OF the policeman
necessarily implies in those who would
successfully follow it the presence of the
Soluicry virtues courage. daring AID
alert resolution. If to these qualities
the young fellow of Irish parcnrage
joins intelligence. he has a chance of
rising very high indeed. A very Large
percentage Of those whom I was In
strumcnlnl in getting promoted to the
higher places were Of Irish origin 1t
is needless to say that I did not take
this into account in making promotions
If men earned promotion, I tried to
see chat they got it, without the slight
est reference to whether they were OF
Irish. German or American Earcntagc,
on whether they were Catholic or Pro-
trstan. jew or Gentle. or of no recog-
nizrd faith Al all. The inspectors. cap
tains, scrgcants and rounhsmcn whom
| joined in making were made because
we believed in their capacity. integrity
and courage: and. on the whole, think
Il ldlStI uUuiDCl NSst vi iilSu GNU iltn
than of any other"
The Irish policeman in Now York
city gets on the force because Of his
Intelligence. courage and discretion. lis
passes the examination under civil ser
vice rules and when on the force he
does not shirk his duty. he is pro-
noted on his merits as no favoritism IS
s%own by the police commissioners on
acvoun, OF creed or nationality. Tha
writer when in New York remarked
the fine physique and intelligent faces
OF the irish policemen. and was not sur
pri'od TO see them occupying high posi-
tons. AS Mir. Roosevelt, says nNy
gain their promotions by capacity. III
tcslity and courage"
When Mayor Rand. Of Minneapolis.
some years ago, was asked why he had
appointed so many Irishmcn as police
men he promptly answered: because
when an Irish policeman goes after
Il criminal he arrests him and hangs
on to him like a bull dog until he lands
him in the cell" Without; wishing TO
relic, on the courage and bravery Of
policemen of other nationalites it can
truly be said that the Irish policeman
displays great fearlessness and courage
when dealing with dangerous criminals