New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
THE POLICE.

II Is understood that by order OF the Police
Board two hundred or more members or the
force who have been in the enjoyment OF what
are called special details, including attendance
I'm court and ut Headquarters are to be sum
marily converted into patrolmen for the better
protection Of the city. Such loss of ease ana
dignity will naturally be severely felt, and II
IS not 10 he wondered at that intelligence OF
the jmpending calamity has produced an ex-
tremely painful impression among those who
have reason TO suppose that they are on the list
But the general public will be differently af-
fected. The order is said to have been given
in consequence Of the discovery by the police
authorities that the number of rObberies has
increased rapidly OF late, and that New-fork
10 altogether TOO attractive a resort for GRIM
inals. Wherefore many incumbents Of soft
places. whose principal occupation 1t has been
to grow fat must take to the streets and try
to earn their pay.
ANY action on the part Of the Police Board
which looks like an acknowledgment that II has
not done its full duty hitherto, and which in
wolves more or less disregard Of pulls" is
grateful TO the community, and is likely 10 re-
ceive at least as much approval as it deserves.
We sincerely hope that this rather unexpected
be glad TO take notice at any time OF stronger
evidence that the police authorities have be-
come aware that far higher standard OF
discipline and efficiency is urgently required in
their department. There is not particle of
doubt that a large part Of the work which the
police are bound TO do is badly done Proofs Of
the fact abound on every hand, and are con
stantly observed by all intelligent and watchful
no natrOlmpn
needed. but there is little reason to believe that
mere increase in their number will have far
reaching effects The thing that is indispensa-
BILE Is a moral rehabilitation OF the force, which
has been demoralized by observation and ex-
perience of the ways approved and encouraged
by Tammany administration. The inferior
men have quickly declined TO their natural
level The superior men have in great measure
failed to resist the tendency. seeing little or
nothing TO be gained by strict attention to duty
1t is probable that many are actually afraid 10
do their best The pestlferous workings of "in-
fuence" have been felt throughout the force
for more than year. and the blight has be-
come general.
The fact that criminals are more numerous
and holder than they were is not chiefly due 10
q lack of patrolmen and a consequent multiple
ca ton Of opportunities Criminals have learned
TO stand less in awe OF the police than they
once did. That Is the main trouble. They
know even better than others that the quality
Of the force has deterorated, that vigilance and
energy and fidelity are AT a discount. II IL
miserable and dangerous condition Of affairs,
and II Is not to be cured by the easy process Of
assigning two hundred or three hundred more
men TO outdoor work. radically different
spirit is imperatively needed, and, unhappily,
there is no good reason to believe that Tam
many administration is either DESTROYS or ca
pable OF applying that remedy.