New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-09
POLICE BOARD AND CHARTER.

As result of their regular Sunday service
conducted. We hope, s0berly, discreeuy' ad-
visedly and in the fear Of God, as bentted the
day--the manager Of the Republican orgahiza-
t;on and his assistants are said to have agreed
upon the necessity Of leglslating the Police Com
mission out of existence and creating Tor the
enlarged municipal district new board OF four
members to be appointed by the Governor. Mr.
Yauterbach Is now drafting measure to carry
this programme into effect, and expects to have
n readv for presentation to the Legislature with
IN a few days. The scheme was first publicly
proposed, We believe by Commissioner Hrah''
but whether II originated with him or not re-
mains open to conjecture. However inspired II
at once produced favorable impression at the
Sunday conference. and row seems likely 10
no ACCOMPLISHED. unless Mr.. Lauterbach runs
against some unexpected legal snag 1t Is not
improbable that the project was ACCIDENTALLY
commended to the organization by statement
which Mayor Strong made several days ago.
doubtless without foresee'ng Just how 1t would
be employed The Mayor said that he was much
troubled about the situation which commissioner
Parker's conduct and relations with his col
leagues had produced. but that 1t would prob
ably do no good to remove him. for, though the
Governor might approve. the courts would very
likely reinstate him. leaving the last state OF the
city worse than the first.
Taking the Mayors acknowledged helplessnesS
and all the other circumstances of the case into
account, the managers Of the Republican organ
katIon have apparently resolved upon an heroic
remedy. Their determination Is based upon the
conclusion that the existing situation Is intoler-
able They do not 60 into details. but they may
fairly be assumed to hold that the spectacle Of
constant pickering and executive impotence
which the Police Board has long presented is
not only offensive. but demOrazing TO the force
and consequently injurious to the city, that there
Is no prospect Of the re-establishment Of har-
monious relations and an efficient service, and
that evils which are incapable Of being cured by
such means a. the present laws provide must
be abolished by an extraordinary procedure. 1t
cannot be denied that there Is considerable force
In this argument and we are disposed TO think
that the passage Of the measure upon which Mr..
Lauterbach Is now expanding his intellectual re-
sources with characteristic generosity would not
be hailed as the most unpopular act Of the Re
publican organization. Until We have had an
opportunity to examine the result Of his labors
II would he manfestly improper to pronounce
a decisive opinion upon that point. but 1t Is un-
deniable that the condition Of police affairs is
serious and that II needs to be allevated.
There is. however. one suggestion which 1t
seems to us expedlent to offer, and which ought
not to be regarded as on infringement upon the
prerogatives Of Mr.. Lauterbach and his asso-
ciates. They feel that the existing situation is
deplorable. and they fear that It would become
still worse IL Mayor Strong. going to the limit
Of his authority. should take action against one
OF more Of the Commissioners which the Gov