The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-20
INVESTIGATION SHOULD REkItL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR T.ANLFS~ NJ

There viii be. ii uoN appears certain. an IN.
sestFation Of ID. iucamond Police Department
Ia yleR Of all that has trauspircd this appears
the only wise course, bet even more necessary
'han AT investigation at a Is thu fact that WHAT
ever We 90 shaft be thoroughly done The Com.
mon Council last nigh, determined to amend he
resolution OF the Board # Aldermen and to re
word It 70 as 10 provide for larger committee
with broader powers 1t IS TO BE hoped. and
teleye tbe whole city vii agree with Us In this
statement that the Board Of Aldermen viii not
delay concurrence in fne amendment made .bg
tie Coancu. II meets Monday night Tor this
purpose.
The Frg5ntoa insists that there should he
taken such action as viii bring to pass an early
beginning Of tho probe and that the probe SO
begun shallhe thorou6A. but The tngniqn ON.
phatically cannot agree with What was certainly
the impression made ty Alderman Grumpy that
the investigation should be brief and CON
GUIDED. and we do not believe that those who
hold such views should be charged with con
ductlne the investigation. The people Of Rich
mond determined that this matter shall be
thoroughly and concusively settled; that the
whole department of police administration from
the Mayor at the top TO the newest patrolman
at the bottom, shall be cleared or convicted on
tho charges of misfeasaute In office. If the evi
dence presented by the Vice Commission is re
liable and we feel sure from our knowledge of
the personnel Of the Commission that it would
llot submit charges for which there is not some
foundation in fact-the members involved in cor
rupt police administration should b. condemned
by the courts and al the bar Of public opinion.
n the evidence Is not reliable these same men.
all Of them. ali of the department, should be vim
dicated and commended before the people. For
the good name Of Richmond there Is no other
curse than this to pursue.
TIE Tirgiatqn is particularly anxious that tbs
3ity shall have a complete and full examination;
10 this end We believe that there is no reason
why every fact should not be siftcd. There IL
citizen paper more anxious or concerned
Tor the good name OF Richmond than is The
Richmond fjrgjajan, bat want that good name
TO come not by suppressing facts that would
cast reelection on the city's name but by making
the city worthy of tho good name by removing
The conditions that support the facts and that
threaten the future of our SOUS and daughters.
We would particularly impress the fact that
PtfaFA1ft
have a large part perhaps the very largest part
ia the extent OF the Investigation. 1t is not
desirable 10 have tar-reaching investigation
crowded for ana then put in the hands OF men
.ho all not use the po@er to reach This Is ne
case Of whifewash. me I0gjaiap is partcu-
larly glad that the Common Council enlarged the
scope Of the resolution under which the corn
taittee viii act enlarged the committee. and by
'hese t~o action, gave assurance that with all
power and weighty personnel The committee viii
he Of such constitution and such powers will
allow the widest SCOPE in The investigation OF
nolice administration IN tais city. 1
In whatever Is done in any Investigation. REL
~ardless OF what charges are made Of me per
sonal conduct Of officers the great outstanding
fact Of the entire situation is that the law has
not been enforced II was not enforced in or
oar Of the oalciallzed abode Of vice. 1t vas not
an r1cd BY tho Mayor who is both the Chief.
i've Of the city and q member Of the Board
=, e Commissioners. it Mas not enforced by
tie Chief Ct Police. it was not enforced by the
patrolmeu Somewhere there wis cause for
this nouenforcement The CHIEF aim of any in
sestgation Is to determine who's hand restrain
I'd the uinioHs Of the law from enforcing IT, on
that person or persons must be placed the blame
by The investigating committee for the nonen
ioreement Of the Law in Richmond. No inyesti-
cation that does not reveal who caused this non
enforcement. regardless Of personal charges
against members Of the force can b.. considered
IN sense complete thorough, or satisfac
tory Investigation. The people want the truth
The truth be reached The truth win show
r,.n.o ,a..