New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-14
TUr cOrFRyOR AND THE POLICE.

That Governor Black Is not favorably disposed
toward the Police Commission bill Of the Re
publican organization which Mr.. Lauterbach
took 10 Albany on Friday is so positively assert
cd in so many newspapers deriving their in
formation from various sources as TO warrant
considerable confidence in the accuracy of the
report IL is true that since his return Mr..
Louterbach has been copiously quoted as say
ing that he had pleasant Interview with the
Governor and is satisfied with the prospects Of
the bill. upon which he worked asslduouSiy from
Sunday afternoon till Friday morning. to the
neglect Of his private clients and personal in
terests But it may be admitted, without any
reflection upon Mr. Lauterbach's veracity, that
II he did not find the Governor in wholly SYM
pathetic mood hc could scarcely be expected to
divulce the fact and discrimination ought not to
be lmputed unto him for unrgheousness. In
deed. If IL proves TO he true that the Governor
Is resolutely opposed TO the Republican organ
izatjon scheme. we shall be glad TO forget Mr.
I.auterbach's polite contradiction Of the preva
lent report.
We sincerely hope on all accounts that Gov
ernor Black has made up his mind to draw the
line AT measure which flies in the face of COM
mon sense. common decency. public opinion,
party principles. and ever? electoral verdict OF
recent years Consider what this bill aims to
do Taking advantage Of the fact that one or
more of the Police Commissioners Of this city.
in cooperation with the Chief. have brought the
Board as whole into dscredit. with the conse-
ouence of demoraliZing the force and betraylng
the people. the Republican machine proposes 10
turn out Of office not only the whole Police Board
of New-York without regard TO differing de-
grees Of culpablity, but TO abolish the Police
Departments of other communities. thus putting
n Wanton affront upon officials who have never
had the remotest connection with our troubles.
II this were all. the bill would be incapable Of
justification on any plea arising out of the de-
plorable conditions existing here. But it is not
all; il is merely preliminary 10 the larger act
of despotism by means Of which few poll
tlclans hope to get the electoral machinery and,
II possible. the whole government of Greater
New-YOrk into their own hands.
when Governor Black. in opposition TO the
Judgment and wishes Of great majority Of the
people Of this State, including his truest friends
appointed Mr.. Payn to the office Of Insurance
Commissioner 1t was represented in his behalf
that he knew the man to whom he owed his own
nomination. or at least thought he knew him.
better IMAM OIHcTS uIu anu tHdt payment OI
a personal obligation would not prove TO have
been made at the expense OF the State. Further
more. assurances were given, in such a manner
as TO suggest an official source, that though the
Governor in this instance had considered him.
self bound TO take course which subjected him
% embarrassment and censure. he had in so
doing discharged his whole political debt at once
and would thereafter be the faithful, jealous,
irreproachable servant of the people great
many persons, we think. who totally disap.
proved Of Mr.. Payn's appointment were dis
posed TO look Mt the matter in that light and TO
make large allowance for young man who had
suddenly been raised to great office under cir
cumstances calculated TO put his moral forttude
10 an unusual strain 1t Is sill possible to hope
indeed to believe, that this was the right view
10 take. and that there will be no further fault
TO find with the Governor. He IL now In po-
viton either to Justify such sanguine expecta-