The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-10-31
one police Commissioner shall be elected
every two years" Ts~

Il
missioner Is as much an officer of tn
city as the mayor; their duties are hi'
down with the same care. The onh
thing Is, that the council makes all ap
pointments, excepting ouly police com
missioners, the mayor makes these. Bu
under the plain provisions of Seeiio'
IS an appomtcc continues in office unti
the next general election
There is, therefor. this stale of At
fairs, that we can all understand; ,
police commissioner i an offlcer OF tn
city, lie is elected by the qualified yot
erS thereof the same as every othel
officer and at the same general els,ion
lie is required To subscribe 10 the sam,
oath Of office that all other oiliccs o.
the city are required to subscribe, Il i
surely a remarkable circumstance that
they should be governed by different
rule of law for were not their offices
created by the same act all other officer.
of the city were created! This cihc,
becomes vacant the same way as Other
cffices, aud is governed by the same
rules.
A species of such refined logic, hair.
splitting distinctions where no distinc.
tion exists, such straining at phrases,
win not meet with the approval Of the
people. The voters ought to have the
right to elect an officer who governs a
municipality, particularly in such cases
as this, where the charter says they
shall.
The learned attorneys assert, however,
that while police commissioner is not
an "oiiicer of this city, yet he is a
ministerial agent" No argument will
be attempted. None would bc bold
enough to enter into the polemie discus,
sion of question so grave, with such
valiant opponents; but the right re.
mains to quote the charter.
The latter part of section lis, which
prescribes the, powers and duties of
the police commissioners, reads as fol,
lows:
The board OF police commissioner,
has the power and il is their duty
within said city to organize. govern and
conduct police force within said City
Of Astoria. and TO that end may: Gn
Appoint chief of police or one or more
captains of police, and suitable num-
ber of regular policemen. t2l Remove
Or suspend any member of the police
force, including the chief and captain,
for any cause they may deem sufficient
10 be stated in the order of removal
,r suspension: t3) Make all necessary
,r convenient rules or regulations for
he organization and conduct OF said
,olice force, for the care and manage.
nent of the city prison. for receiving
md hearing complaints against any
member OF said force; for the forfeiture |
# all or any portion Of the wages that
nay be due any member Of such force
N account Of misconduct, or negligence
n the discharge of his duties; and they
nay adopt rules and regulations not In.
onsistent with the city charter for the
control and organization
I the police force"
Here we have tribunal with extra
rdinary powers; power TO enquire into
nd determine, and enter final judg. |
nent upon, the most valuable right Of
itizenship. A court that has power
D hear charges Of grave import against
n officer, one. who by statute Of this
tate is made peace officer, an officer
nder the sRte constitution and to
eur evidence for and against him, and
D pass final Judgment against him, de-
irving him OF most valuable c0nsti
utional right A court that can take
rom a citizen money actually earned
" him. and give it to the city. tri. |
unal that has full power 10 make rules,
n other words. laws, for the govern.
nent Of this city. Yet an official with |
II these powers, these learned gentle,
nen inform ns, is not an ~oficcr Of onr
municipality, but is simply minis.
erial agent
The citizens and taxpayer. of this
ity, surely can not be led astray with
uch llimsy argument, such relinements. |
I is the duty Of the Republican party. !
he father of all tr1n and genuine re.
Orms TO restore to the people their
,irthright. the right given them by the
.harteT TO elect their officers by vote.