The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-25
A DISAPPOINTED REFoRMER.

n
The practical outcome of Boss Platt's
engagement to reform the New York
police force is rather amusing. Of course
the boss was deeply shocked at the IN
satisfactory condition of affairs which
were maintained under Chief Devery, and
he proceeded forthwith to announce his
purpose to establish at once state
constabulary. All the details of the
measure were decided upon by the boss,
and the legislature stood ready to full
fill his purpose. The bill was introduced
but it was withdrawn or not acted on.
Public opinion became as deeply stirred
over the plan of the boss to take the
control of their own police concerns from
the people of New York as 1t was over
the reported corruption of Devery and
his subordinates In the police depart
ment
OF course public sentiment is not
thing which Boss Plat has ever con-
descended to recognize in any way. The
result of given election is inal with
him. When the machine wins, the ma
chine shall turn out its own products
without regard to public sentiment. That
is the doctrine of the boss, and more
particularly of Boss Platt. But just as
this conclusion had been determined
upon, the boss found himself in the
language of tho street. "up against it,
He had conferred the machine nomina-
ton for governor on the present incum-
bent of the Office. In forcing the nomina-
ton for vice president on Roosevelt, he
had, as he still supposes, put an end
to very troublesome character, and had
at the same time secured the probable
election of his own creature. He was
mistaken. Among the first declarations
made by the new state executive was the
one that under no circumstances would
he approve any measure which deprived
the people of the cities of the state OF
the right to control their own police
force.
This was the present erd of the m
famous state constabulary scheme of
Eoss Platt, designed to make more Sc
cure the control of the state, and sought
to he enforced in the name of political
municipal reform.
The expressions of disappointment
which the boss now gives to the world
through the press regarding the appoint
Mayor Van Wych are really as amusing
as any other phase Of the entire political
comedy of reform. The hand of the boss
had been forced and he was obliged to
consent to measure which gave the ap-
puintment of the head of the police de-
partment to the mayor; and the mayor,
not unmindful of his obligations to his
political friends, has just appointed Col
Murphy to the post Murphy is not a re-
former, rs Platt is; but he is a politician
inst as Plat is, and he was born ard
has lived all his life in New York. ac-
cording to the press reports, as the boss
has not
Now that the boss behoids all posi-
hility of reform as viewed from his
standpoint practically lost to sight, he
declares the situation to be intolerable,
and that he cannot tell what will be dore
to improve it until he has conferred with
Gov. Odell. He does not want to talk
about the new appointment, and inti-
mates that perhaps Gov Odell may re-
consider his views on the subject of the
state constabalary bill
This is the sure way of reform. When
Toss Piatt is ready he will tell what
VIII be done to reform things, especially
when things are not being conducted ac-
coriing to his understanding of the pub,
lie welfare. Happy is the community or
commonwealth which has a Boss PIatt
to look after it, and promote the reform
of it's affairs