New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-25
STATE cOysTABULARF SoHEME.


Those citizens who believe that it is possible
for this city to rid itself of the corrupt ring now
in control of the municipal government; those
who believe that they see evidences of an
aroused public sentiment against which the evil
forces of Croker and his gang will soon battle
in vain: those who believe that the fight must
be made all along the line, and that the destruc-
ton of the enemy's forces is far more important
than the gaining of a single, temporary and
perhaps doubtful advantage without battle
will find some reason for anxiety in Mr. Platt's
announcement that the State constabulary
scheme is TO be revived in the next Legislature
Nobody denies that the police Of New-York are
inefficient and corrupt. There Is every indica-
ton that the force has slipped back to the old,
disgraceful practices which were exposed by
the Lexow investigation. The conditions as
they exist are shameful, and they arc growing
more and more humiliating every day. Never
thcIcss. an appeal TO Albany for aid ought not to
be made without the most serious consideration
of what it would imply and might involve.
To go to the Legislature and ask for State
Constabulary act would be, to begin with con-
fession that we are not able to bring about
reform on our own account though we have
liberal charter. improved primary laws, sys-
tom of election inspection and other privileges
enabling right thinking citizens to record their
will at the polls It would be regarded by many
as kind of municipal scuttle policy, dangerous
as scuttle policies usually are, and as a con-
spicuous violation of the principle of home rule,
for which they have labored long and force
fully Such citizens would be likely to reason
that if we established precedent by abandon
ing this principle in the interest of supposedly
beneficial legislation there would be added dan
ger of its abandonment later in the interest of
the most injurious legislation, and that the step
might be ultimately disastrous, even if the
immediate result were sure TO be beneficial.
But IL is in fact not at all certain that the
result would be of even immediate advantage.
1t has been argued that the experience of other
countries justifies belief that the system Of
State police would work well here and such
examples ought not to be overlooked. The
argument is less persuasive now than it was
formerly represented to be. The fact is that the
system has been tried in this country. and the
results have not been inspiring. Perhaps the
best recent illustration is st. Louis, where the
police force is under State control. Ample OPP
portunity to observe the working of the system
there was given during the strike riots some
months ago. The Republican Mayor of the city
was powerless to preserve order. because he had
no authority whatever over the police. The
Democratic Governor of the State, who did
have authority, was a candidate for the place of
delegate TO the Democratic National Convention,
and. fearing the effect on his candidacy OF rigor
Gus measures against the forces of disorder, he
did nothing. The result was that the rioting
gained terrible Roadway before it was finally
suppressed by men acting under the authority
of a sheriff That was in truth a costly and
disgraceful demonstration of what may occur
under State constabulary system.
AS we have repeatedly declared, the question
is doubtless one fit to be discussed carefully,
deliberately and disinterestedly, and the people
would presumably accept with cheerfulness a
decision so reached. But when Mr. Platt find
ing that he could not pass his bill for the reor-
ganization of the New-York City police in his
own interest, suddenly caused the State police
scheme to be introduced in the Legislature of
1893, the people promptly signifed their disap-
prevail OF the project, and they would be pretty
sure to look with concern upon any similar
scheme presented as an organization measure
at the coming session under orders to liam it
through" The habit of running to Albany with
woes which have a better remedy here at home
is both weak and dangerous It does not pay
always TO be avoiding a fight Sometimes it is
far better to give battle and to strike hard.
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