The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-22
POIICN REFORM.


.eThe Republic" SAYS the Globe, spokesman for the
Republican machine gets of lot of cheap plattudes
about reform in the Police Department. That the de-
luded Globe, which looks at everything through poit
cal spectacles would object to falr 'methods US
means Of enduring improvement was to be expected
1t did not fight the notorious City Hall gang that
represented Its party Nor did it protest against large
and unnecessary salaries, nor against machine rule'
nor against disagreement, nor against machine
"rake-ors' from the salaries OF city employees nor
against n hundred other mapracces. 1t gorihed
misdeeds and tried to perpetuate It's machine by an
tagonizing Mayor Wells and Circuit Attorney Folk
both in the campaign and after their election. The
Globe Is in favor of reform after reform is accom-
p,ished During 4 struggle for betterment it stands
always with the gang. 1t is irevocably bound to
obey party leaders, howsoever condelnnabe Their
mandates may be.
The Republic does not believe that the police force
of St Louis is any than the forces of New York.
Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston, or that the local
force is less ably managed than any of these or that
political influence counts for more here than else
where. The Republic also believes that the St LOUIS
Police Department is better than it has ever been
and that great Improvement has been effected in the
past few years But the Globe will not and cannot be
fair will admit truth: it will not award merted
credit. Its sole intimation is: Let the Republican
gang the same which dsgraced the city by misgov-
ernment control the Police Department Then we
shall have reform.
What the Globe denounces as patitude is expressed
in this paragraph which published in a Republic
editorial Monday: THE board must set aside all con-
siderations except merit when reorganizng the force
next month. No officer man should be retained be-
cause of his influence whatever it might be; no man
should be appointed promoted through influence,
or In return for rendered favOrs promised
or because he would be submissive.
That statement the Globe Classics as platitude,
as it does of like meaning and import II
truth. sentiment and honest effort pattudes. the
organ of the Republican machine would do well to
cultivate them which it cannot do by judging the city
and everything in the city by partisan tape lines II
the Globe wishes 10 enlighten the people, it might
how many times the last Republican Mayor at
tended the meetings of the Board of Police Commits
soners what he did if anything to better the de-
partment. 1t might then review the sandbagging OF
the Police Department by corrupt Municipal AS
semby.
The Republic declares that the police force is as
efficient the average. but that it is not yet up to the
standard which the citizens Of St Louis have in mind
The force should be put strictly merit basis and be
free from political and other Influences. Until that is
done the Police Board Will be Open criticism. fontcs
Republic said in Mondays editorial: The people
wish to have the best force, the best management
the best system the highest efficiency department
superior in all respects and absolutely free from eX
| ternal alliances and Influences"