New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-31
TIE PROPOSED POLICE BILL.

The details of the police bill which II is I'M
derstood the Republican organization disap
proves, but will not oppose at the cost Of
rupture with the Governor remain TO be
worked ont. but its main features are said 10
be separate Bureau Of Elections an enlarge
ment Of the powers Of the Chief Of Police and
q bestowal on the Governor of authority to re-
move him for cause after a hearing. This last
provision is the only one which can be COnsid-
cred an encrOaChment the municipal home
rule preserve. and lnasmuch as IT does not
tablish any new executive function. but merely
extends a principle which now applies to coun-
ty officers. ii is not likely TO arouse much hon
est hostility. Tammany may make n pretence
of vlrtuous Indignation but we doubt II II will
care 10 make a hard fight for not only will the
Police Commission continue to consist OF four
members appointed hereafter as heretofore by
the Mayor, but the new Election Commission.
which must be bipartisan under the Constitu-
tion will supply Tammany with two new
places. at least with one new place in case
IL should be decided that an Election Bureau
with two heads would be as serviceabe as one
with four. 1t may be said in passing that on
first thought two would seem TO be enough.
On the whole, the bill as described appears
10 be sensible. as II is a moderate, measure
Of reform. There was no reason to suppose
that Governor Roosevelt would revise opinions
which he had freely expressed in years past
and consent to one Of the Republican machines
alternative schemes for radical reconstruction
of the police system. We doubt If ne would
have incurred general censure II he had chosen
10 leave things as they are. hut we think there
is a fair chance that the arrangement which
he is supposed 10 have recommended may do
more good than harm. separate Elections
Bureau. even though It represents the same
political elements as the Police Board. will BOT
command such enormous resources for mis-
chief. and. having less capacity. may feel less
inclination TO do wrong. AT all events we see
no objection 10 making the experiment. and
are hopeful that 1t will work well.
The provision for extending the Chiefs pow
ers is sure TO please many citizens whose Opin-
IONS are entitled to respect, and theoretically
is sound, though concentration of authority
and responsibility has not yet, in this city at
least come up TO the expectations Of some po-
litical philosophers. The new charter greatly
enlarged the Mayors boundaries, but are
not aware that New-York under Van Wyck Is
better off than formerly or expects 10 be In
the near future. However we agree that the
Chief ought not TO be hampered by regulations
which prevent him from actually welding the
force which lie nominally commands. 1t is es-
pecially suitable that he should have full power
H. as the bill now in course Of preparation pro-
poses he is 10 be made liable 70 removal by
the Governor. AS we have already intmated.
we are not sangune Of highly important
suits from that provision. Long experience in
the OF other removable officials tustifes
toe belief that bad Chief of Police would