The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-21
IN STATUE QUO.


II is evident. from the actions of the
common councillor at least the con-
tingent representing the citizens party
that there is an affinity existing be-
tween the British Columbia and PAN
anna members Of the quasipolice com
mission. that cannot be severed with
out doing incalculable injury to the
democratic party. At every election
they express their disapproval at what
they call the ring of the republican
party. yet at the same time they are
fostering and nursing one of the most
colossal political rings that ever existed
in Clatsop county. and that is the 'po-
lice commissioner ring" II is WE'LL
known fact. that the police commission
has nothing to do with the police force,
but 1t is run. manipulated and managed
by one man.
The action Of the charter revision
committee in opposing the repeal Of
common council In refusing to declare
a vacancy in the offices of Cook and
Baker, will receive the condemnation
of all honest citizens interested in good
government, irrespective of party af-
filiations. Few. II any. outside of a
chosen few, Endorsed the actions of the
republicans in electing three police
commissioners at the recent election
but everyone knew that their action
was not indorsed by the rank and file
of the republican party. But with the
democrats it is entirely different They
are in power in the city and have a
majority Of the members in the council
They can declare the two Offices va
cant. and have the power TO select
their own men. II they would do this.
no matter who were selected. the pub
lie would be satisfied. But they refuse
to accede to the demands of the public.
1t is evident that there isn't a man
in their party that they are willing to
trust. and they prefer a police COM
mission that is powerless to act, two
Of whom are neither residents. and one
of whom is not resident or tax pay
er and who will never be here to inter-
fere with the police ring, so necessary
for the success Of the democratic party.
The republicans are to blame for the
present condition Of affairs. Had t not
been for republican votes, the police
commission would not be democratic,
and a commission would have been
elected. that were qualified to act. 1t
is very probable that the affairs Of the
police are being honestly administered;
that as some of the democrats claim,
there is no need for a police commits
sion. but 1t is certainly an injustice
to allow two men to hold public Offices
in Astoria who are not residents and
never will be again. II places the en-
tire affairs of the city in the hands Of
the police and their manager. II
charges were preferred against the
chief or any Of the officers, for mall
feasance in Office, or direliction Of duty,
the chief and officers could tell the
public to go to warmer climate, as
there was no power to oust them from
Office, or investigate any charges that
might be made. One man is not a
police commission within the meaning
Of the charter. He can neither remove
or appoint chief Of police or po-
lice officer. This is what the demo-
crat council wants. 1t don't want any
of their pets investigated. To show
their contempt for the rights of the
public, the following, taken from the
official organ Of the police ring, shows
to what methods they will resort to
to continue in power a nonresident
police commission.
"The citizens have all the best Of the
police commission muddle and are con-
tenting themselves with their ability
to make it impossible for the republic
ans to do business. If Messrs. Prael
Jones and Carney should be seated by
order of the court the council, which
is made up of at least seven men who
are opposed to the effort to capture
the commission, could reduce the SAL
aries of policemen to $50 a month, and
make the position of chief an honorary
one. The new police commission
would. under such circumstances, find
It somewhat difficult to find men to
accept the places Offering"