The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-19

ion on the police COmmssionership was
landed TO him today by supt a. Il. Cristy
" the league.
AS stated exclusively ia the News-Dem-
icrat yesterday, IL is hearty indorse-
nent OF Col Harold j Gross. aud. COM
ng from an organization representing
practically every church in the city, IL Is
elt that Il must have weight with the
nayor-elect The communication follows:
I'm response 10 your public appeal for
an expression OF opinion that would en-
ible you 20 understand the popular mind
On the question who should be appointed
police commissioner 10 succeed Harold j.
Gross. we. the trustees OF the Rhode ISL
md Temperance league. would call the at
.ention OF yourself and OF our fellow cit-
tens 10 the following statement.
This appointment is not q matter for
PARTISAN politics but for a decision as TO
illness 10 serve.
The police commission like the city
lreasurership. should be entrusted 10
men who hold the confidence of the best,
! e.. the law-sbiding portion Of the city
irrespective OF the question OF their party
,ffliauon
ITO appoint a man chiefly because he is
81 your own political party is to chal-
enge the other members 10 consider
themselves and their acta IN the light OF
heir own party and TO thus divide the
.ounsels OF the board along most un-
worthy lines.
THE practical working OF this principle
nf bi- pa rtisan representation on boards OF
three or Ave in this state where party
-ather than fitness governed the appoint
nent does not commend that course in
this case
While we strongly condemn the narrow
partisanship that refuses TO confirm a
NJ appointment simply because the man
is not OF the political party OF those hav-
ING the confirming power, we would Just
hs strongly condemn the narrow view
that would refuse to continue a NJ man
or 10 choose one who was conspcuously
m because he was not OF the same party
ps that OF the appointing power. We feel
that YOU can we'll afford TO lay aside that
phase OF the question. II appeals TO too
low an ideal.
"a police commissioner IL OF the right
character. grows more valuable TO the
city with experience.
''It should he the policy OF those having
the appointment 20 keep tried men IN
office as long as they show conspicuous
fitness for the very trying duties and |
freedom from partisan bias I'm their offi- !
cial acts
"The short terms Of service afford op-
portunitles for retiring without prejudice |
those who prove unfit. but should not be |
taken advantage OF 30 remove those |
whose fitness is recognized. but who by /
the fortunes of political strife. have be-
come victims OF party antagonism.
Unless, then. there is one whose fitness |
for the office is so conspicuous as to jus
tify substituting him for the one who |
has secured public confidence by faithful |
service. II would be detrimental to the |
good government OF the city 10 displace |
a tried man for an untried one In such a
position.
"The experience OF New York city in \
the frequent changes OF it's police com |
49, H.. -
possess the qualities demanded by this |
peculiar responsibility.
THE present situation demands great
care on the part OF those having the APP !
pointing power lest the control OF the po- |
lice and licensing powers shall be placed |
In the hands OF men who are seeking 10 |
gain such control for the purpose of Sc
curing liberal policy that will not en-
force the laws as firmly as the present |
has been doing.
1T has become notorious that unless the !
appointment results In the selection OF
one who will sustain the present chair |
man. there Is fear thar he may resign and
the policy Of the commission will then be
changed TO suit those who are not the !
law-abiding kind OF citizens.
we seriously apprehenc such n result
from any attempt 10 proceed along par
tlsan lines in the appointment
we have had close relations with the
from it's first institution. and
we have been highly gratiied by the high
we are specially gratified with the present
degree OF law-cnforcement. which seems
10 US far above the average In any city
Of our size. We believe that this Is due
10 the harmony with which Mr.. III. J.
Gross and the chairman have acted. we
believe that our fellow-citl2ens have
every reason 10 feel confident that so
long as these two men practically control
the police powers. there will be no sue
cess In any effort 20 compel their TO act
in small and partisan fashion.
We do not see how the presence OF
Democrat simply as such on this board
would secure any greater degree OF far
treatment for your party than these two
men have freely given during the past
year.
III YOU have in mind a man so far SUI
rerior TO Mr.. Gross that YOU are confident
that the public will applaud your selec-
tion. then we believe that YOU are called
upon 10 make such an appointment and 10
summon the public 10 demand the confr-
nation OF your appointee. and we win
Join hearty with you IN such demand.
but N you have only n man lust as
good as Mr. Gross who Is yet untried
and whose chief recommendation to you
r. simply his party affiliation. then we
believe that you are not justified In nom
mating him and thus throwing the ap-
pontment into partisan politics so that
those who desire a liberal policy may
letl lustlned IN matching your PARTISAN
ship with their own and by refusing TO
confirm your appointment open the way
20 put one IN the office who will fail TO
support the present chairman.
we believe that Mr. Gross is entitled
N reappointment on tho ground OF faith
fol and acceptable service
His experience makes him better
rnan than n new man is likely to become
for many months.
The situation in tho present board ON
phasizes the demand Of the law-abidng
portion OF this city tha. YOU take no
chances Of a miscarriage In tho appoint
ment. and since you cannot hope 20 So
cure confirmation Of your appointment n
made on partisan grounds unless through
the conspicuous ability OF your candidate.
or through the fact that your Democratic
candidate viii prove acceptable to the al
1ermen. we urge that YOU 40 not leopard
Ire the present conditions that are re-
'traiDing evil men from conducting their
'vfl business openly by making such an
appointment as will put ~ IN the power
" such men 90 secure tho appointment OF
man Of their sort
we therefore believe that n Is your
lity and privilege TO reappoint Mr.. II T.
Gross TO succeed himself. and Join with
-hairman Luther in urging upon you