New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-29
PREPARING THREE BILLS.
EX-JUSTICE COHEN'S STATEMENT RE-
GARDING PROPOSED POLICE
LEGISLATION.

Ex-Justice William N Cohen is preparing
three police bills aiming primarily at reor-
ganization Of the Police Department of this city
For the first time Mr.. Cohen yesterday gave an
intimation OF what may be expected in police
legislation for this city and the State this WIN
ter Mr. Cohen was somewhat reluctant 10
speak Of the bills but realizing the extent of the
publc's interest in the proposed police legisIa-
tion he made the following statement:
have In mind the drafting of three distinct
ponce bills. but none Of them have been written
in the 6ress P peb am What these
bills will provide The order in which state them f
Importance or the comparative likelihood OF their
pare for transmission to the Republican ieaderS
sioner to be appointed by the Mayor and removable
secondk hi Dro Sd6 for State Commits
sloneT to whom all i the chiefs Of police IN the
be sworn to. and an omission on the part Of any
chief Of police to render full and truth I'M ac
dction wilfui exaggeration Of the existing
facts, 70 constitute cause for summary removal
Third-A comprehensive State measure. anectlnS
with supervisory powers lodsed in the state COM
These are the three measures I have in prepare
ZION no there does net seem 10 DC District Bill
because such bill was drawn some years ago anu
Just at this time I am giving my attention to the
bill referred to as No for single C"mmi5 IS on
er to be appointed by the Mayor ana SuuJeCt " -
moval by the Governor. As 1 ALREADY 5aIv 80 =
marked the three bills not yet drafted anu =
discussion OF ANYTHING beyond merely Ihe seIIe'"i
features of the bills would be premature
In commenting upon the warfare against vice
just opening in this city Mr. Cohen said:
1t that the glaring evil is not the
existence Of rampant vice but the aud the
police. who are hired and paid and sworn 20 n0o
equality before the law so far as the wrongdoer Is
concerned. He who may be hardened and bey9n1
reformation. and who and Will pay, Is shIeidIu
tempted and yields but Will not cannot pay: -
pursued and punished The persons resp4i1Is o4
of the gang in power. who are the partners, OF
the police in this nefarious business Ana t i
much OF its support by its loud professions ol
friendship for the Industrious poor. whose MONIES
are invaded and whose young children are as
bauched and outraged as the result OF thls am
The ends to be attained are the protection Of the
young and innocent the apprehension ana CUIlsnr
ton of the lawbreaker. irrespective OF ms pun
or his purse and a respectful hearing of deceHt
citizens and prompt redress for the wrongs OF WIZ
we do not wish to make men saints. but law abid-
ing citizens; that we shall divorce the police from
politics and break the unholy alliance; that Ine
honest and capable men of the force-and there are
many such-shall receive due recognition ana thsi'
they shall respect and We them as the eIhoouI-
ment and personifcaton of the law IT can oe
longer hang our heads in shame. but look stralShs
into each others eyes and walk fe1LIesslS al,
be no retrogresson in the development or the SocL1
conditions Of this city. These conditions shoulu
better from year to year II may no[ be T,t al the
same time there should be no such ProLout-gI ,t
retrogression along moral lines as mas oee,i oIS
too noticeable in the last two or three years
Senator Plat last night refused to discuss the
proposed bills as outlined by Mr. Cohen.