The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-30

throws around us those restraints
which are essential to the general
well-being and the public peace. AS
you go home late in the evening how
comforting it is to see the policeman
standing on the street corner. What a
feeling of safety in his presence, and
as you retire to your couch the con-
seriousness that he is patrolling the
streets gives a sweet and composing
sense of security. Through the long
the pavement. He searches the recesses
of city life to see that all the provis-
ions established by the municipality
for public health, safety and morals
are observed. When an angry crowd
gathers to do violence he is there to
preserve the peace. He was the hero
and the sufferer at Haymarket square,
and of late in this city he stood beside
the hearse in which the pale and S.
cred clay of your dear ones was borne
to its final resting place and babe de-
fiance to those human devils who, be-
cause of a trifiing difference in the
matter of wages, sought to light the
fires of violence in the quiet darkness
of sorrow and play the dances of he'll
around the coffined dead. Without him
city government would be a failure.
To denounce him because of his ina
bility to do all things is poor compen-
sation for the fidelity with which be
does most. When we come to build
efficient public servants, we shall find
in every city a statue of a policeman.
PERMANENT TENURE THE REM
EDY.
ut is undeniable that many, regard
ing with horror the corruption and
lawlessness that prevails in many
cities, wonder whether municipal gov
eminent must not be considered out
side the scope of the Declaration OF
Independence, and to rightfully exist
he Of nod
Many remedies are suggested. To pro-
vent wanton and unnecessary expendi-
lures of public money and check the
corruption that goes with it, some pro-
pose that every municipal government
shall have two legislative bodies, one
representing the property and the 9TH
er the Individuals; or, to use favorite
phrase of the day, one representing the
dollar and the other the man. and that
no expenditures be permissible with
/ out the consent of both bodies. But is
it true that a man without property
is more easily purchasable than man
with property? fear experience would
answer in the negative. Another sug-
gestion is that the police control be
| taken from the city and vested in a
commission appointed by the state.
But that certainly ignores home rule
whatever may be its effect in restrain
| ing vice and violence within the city
After all a better remedy so far as re-
spects any matter of organization is con-
cerned, is a permanent tenure for those
officials charged with maintaining the
public peace, together with a widening OF
the reach of civil service reform to all
connected with its enforcement. The
thought of stability in office of those
charged with the duty of preserving the
public peace must be Incorporated into
municipal life. There has got to be i'm
pressed upon all jewellers in a city a full
CONSCIOUSNESS of the fact there is a power
to punish a power that endures and a
power that will never let up In the
troublous times in this city that followed
the great fire the federal authorities final
| ly interferred. Sheridan at the head of a
little company of cavalry, rode through
| the streets. He was warned that it was
dangerous. He knew better He knew
that every one engaged in mob violence
was conscious of the fact that Uncle Sam
| tie company of cavalry represented an au-
thority which could not be upset at the
next city election and that an injury tc
| him or them would bring down all the
power of the national government will
crushing force.
WHY WASHINGTON is WELL GOV
| ERNED.
| believe me, there is more in this con
seriousness of the stability of power thar
has yet been recognized as an element fol
preserving the peace. That really is th'
1 secret of the good government at Wash
| ington. 1t is not because the officials ther.
are better than those elsewhere, though
care is taken by the appointing power K
i see that only the best men are placed il
4 office. When appointed they are not de
TERED in their official duty by any threa
i of local politicians or any fear of being