Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-04-23
New Argument on Police CUES.
ton Advanced.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH"
DR.. Craddock, who Supported Buxton,
Urges Administration Not to Heed
Cries for Reorganization of the De.
pariment--Gives His Reasons.

During the past four month-in fact
ever since the new administration as
sumcd contrOl-thcre have been vari-
Gus r,mors OF proposed reOrganiza-
ton of the police department. and at
least one Of the three members of the
police board has been in favor of Il
general shaking up" in this quarter.
Various opinions have been expressed
concerning the matter and several
communications on the subject have
been made public.
Following is letter bearing on the
subject which was sent to the Daily
Press last night by DR.. r. l.. Cradd0ck
the well known physician who has
taken prominent part in local poll
ties
Editor Daily Press:
Several articles have been published
in the daily papers recently. in regard
10 'reorganzins' the police force of
the city.
AS was an active supporter Of Mr..
Buxton in his candidacy against Mr..
Moss, feel that can voice the senti-
ment OF number Of those who voted
Tor him. | took an active part also in
support Of Mr.. Burcher when he was Il
candidate for mayor. One of the lead
ing arguments used in those political
fights was the charge that Mr.. Moss
used the police commissioners and the
police force. and in fact, all city Off
cials under his control for political p,Ir-
poses, and for his personal advance
ment. We acclaimed OH the hustings
and on the streets, that in 50 doing he
exceeded the prcrOgatives Of his office.
aud abused the confidence conlided in
him by the citizens. We denounced
this policy night and day. His use of
the police to accomplish his personal
ends and perpetuate his power, finally
became SO obnoxious as 10 cause not
only his overthrow, but that of all his
followers. Now, for heaven sake. are
Mr.: Buxton and his advisers going TO
follow in his footsteps and make the
same mistakes? May the fates forbid!
Certainly no friend of good govern
ment can advise such maadministra-
lion of the city government. To thus
make the police force n political foot
hall to kick to pieces by every admin
instration, would make all of them
ward politicians, who would in every
election, try to force on the people.
the candidate who would be most like
force should be removed as far as nos
sible from political influence. Their
terms OF Office should depend solely
on correct conduc. as officers. You
can not make n good policeman I'm a
day, month or year. II is only
after Years of service that he becomes
really competent officer.
II takes II while for him to learn
Ia 10
biliy does not make him the master of
me people he is appointed 10 serve.
lltakes time for him to learn that he
must not use violence when It can pos.
sibly be avoided. 1t takes time for
nm to learn that he should he an eX-
ampler of the law; should curb his
temper and refrain from harsh Ian.
gnage II takes longer for him TO be-
come a detectives; and no policeman
can be an efficient officer until he be.
comes detective. Not detective
who thinks ii his duty to pry into
cverybody's private business, but one
who knows the difference between
legitimate business and criminal prac.
ices; one who protects the former and
sllppreSses the later.
am glad to see that the police
commissioners have not so far needed
the hungry cries of Office seekers,
whose demand is, that those who hold
Office shall be turned out in order that
ihey and their friends may get their
Jobs. This is not what The election of
Mr., Buxton meant. The people who
elected him want the police force
taken out of politics and kept out Of
politics.
Respectfully,
~ IT, n