New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-25
THE NEXT POLICE COMMISSIONER.


The appointment of Mr.. McAdoo to the most
important Office at Mr.. McClellans disposal is
generally commended. as. on the whole it de-
serves to be. It was bitterly opposed by the
vicious and criminal elements. whose prosperity
depends on lax enforcement of the laws. and
that fact alone would have led honest citizens
to hope for q creditable administration of the
Police Department If they had not already
formed favorable opinion Of Mr.. McAdoo. 1t
would be extavagant TO say that he has dis
played such resources of character and ca
pacity that his success in an extraordinarily
difficult place is virtually guaranteed in adj
vance but there is reason to think that he will
endeavor to adhere in all essential particulars
to the course which General Greene has faith
fully pursued. He was useful Representative
In Congress from Newt ersey, and it is pleasant
to remember that his retirement was due to
his independence Of a corrupt Democratic ma
chine in that State. Subsequently, as Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, he was active and eff
cient. Since his return to private life and re-
moval TO this city he has been a serviceable
member Of Tammany Hall. but he has never
been implicated in its open iniquities or &C
cused Of approving them. Thus he will enter
upon the discharge of his exacting duties with
a fair title to public esteem and be able to rely
upon the sympathetic support Of the community
in every earnest effort TO make an enviable rec
ord In a field strewn with melancholy failures.
If the appointment Of Mr.. McAdoo had been
the first on his list and no other places had
yet been filed it might have been welcomed
as an indication that Mr.. Mcclellan re-
solved to be the master OF Tammany, not its
servant, and felt himself able to dictate its
policy. Coming after the announcement of sew
eral selections which cannot possibly be re-
garded as unsatisfactory to the organization or
advanta geous TO the public, and followed by
others equally unfit, it inevitably conveys the
suggestion that Murphy did not dare to crafty
his own inclinatiOns. \ Police Commissioner
entirely congenial to Tammany would have
been a dangerous luxury, with Mr.. Jerome in
office for two years more and a critical cam
paign approaching There is comparatively lit
tie risk in giving some branches Of the city
government over TO the old system, for their
work is not done under the public gaze. But
even if the District Attorney were complacent,
it would be hard to conceal an officially en-
couraged revival of corruption and brutality
among the police with the whole community
looking on. The people Of New-York have
learned to judge quickly and accurately Of what
is doing in that department.
We should be glad TO believe that Mr.. Nc
Adoo's appointment sgnifed the complete
ascendancy of Mr.. Mcclellan, but the rest Of
his slate forbids such an hypothesis. There
would be q measure Of satisfaction in thinking
that it reflected really virtuous purpose on the
part of Murphy, but that would be a fantastic
conjecture. Doubtless it is good politics, and
presumably it is nothing more. Yet even so, 1t
may have fortunate results. Mr. McAdoo has
an excellent opportunity to enhance a good
reputation. We sincerely hope he will not
throw It away.