The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-16

THE METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL.
The constitution OF ,aa state Of wash
inet0E contains q provision designed for
she purpose OF giving 20 cities Of the FIRST
esa&s conssle.s local SET government. free
from any possible legislative interference.
That constitutional psoyislorsgivss 10 such
csties ths power 20 frame their own char
ters--so prescribe "a exact detail the man
nsr Ia which Thay desire 20 have their To-
ca affairs administered. what officials they
desire 10 have for that purpose. the sal-
aries watch they are to receive and the du-
tiss which they are 20 perform.
There IS now pending before the iegis-
iatars Of the state q bill designed TO take
from suoh cities q portion Of their powers.
and 70 give into ths hands OF the governor
OF the state the power TO appoint oommis-
sloners who shall have exclusive control
OF the police foroe In cities OF the first
clAsa; with the power to remove and APP
point all menbsrs OF such forcsa. This is
tina metropolitan Police Bin." for the
passaks or which certain weI-known
ward heslsrs are now lobbying at olym-
pia.
Passing oyT the question OF the con-
stitutionality OF such q law. az to which
there can well be an honest difference Of
opinion. IL is difficult 20 see how any per-
con who believes I'm local self government
can reconcile himself to the support OF
q =.
themselves for the support OF the police
force; they have, through a charter drawn
by their own citizens. elected Tor that pur-
pose. which charter was adopted By an
overwhelming majority OF the popular
vote. prescribed precisely tina manner In
which they desired 70 have the police force
selected Herein was literal and exact
use OF the TAopulistlc method Of the refer
sndum." for which 80 much IL claimed.
The method for the selection OF the po-
lice. as well as the other employees Of the
city. adopted By the citizens OF Seattle.
was the merit system. after eva service
examinations conducted by an absolutely
non-partisan commission. With the work
iugs or the system not word OF fault has
been found by any taxpayer in the city.
Every man on the pollce force owes his
position 10 the fact OF his successful pass
ing OF a mental. a physical and a modl-
cal examination. conducted with the most
serupulous lmpartiallty. On the force ara
today to be found men OF every shade Of
political opinion. The police force Is alb
solnsely and completely divorced from pol
ltics and political belief has had not the
slightest thing on earth 10 do VITA the Sc
lection OF any member OF Il. There Is
probably not a city in the United States
which contains a police force wAieh viii
average better mentally and physically
than the police of Seattle. and there l. GER
tainly none In which the men viii average
"a well morally.
The proposition besore ire legislature Is
TO destroy this system. watch the people
of Seattle who pay the bills. have them
selves inaugurated. and replace II by one
which substantially places the control Of
the police force o. tho ol;y IN the hands
elssa through commissioners whom hs
may ssleSt and over whom he may exer-
clse the power OF removal
There is not single legitimate arEa-
nsnt which can - advanced In favor OF
saeh n change as this. There Is no demand
for u from any respectable source. II Is
in distinct violation OF the principles or
self government 81 eltiea recognized by the
constitution. The only possible reason
why the measure = brought forward IS
for the purpose OF az ain rnaAiag TIE po.ice
fierce We sport Of partisan politics. 70 re-
lisvs il from the present civil service re-
auirements. ana leave positions on the
force 60 Be distributed as the reward FOR
partisan services.
/, IL a step backward. designed solely n
ths interests 81 professional wara heelcrs
and smaE politicians Who cluster chick in
the FopulaEs party. after having been re-
paalstst ey lie oder parties. ara denied
further employment
Ire homes; Popu.lsts n boya hsuSes %
the lax stature ssoult tntorm tnerusesv YES
carefully rs 70 The fAets in e5aneotion
with this uasasura. sna see what taaaeu-cs
are eshlna taa attempt % f1lst upon ia
peop,a 81 the three cites 60 ghe fret c.ass
this obnoxious political machine