Year: 1879

r 6 .


Mayor Allm nn d,s Mtsi axes.


From time to time the REpU BLIcAN hat
half comically been showing up some
Of h. glaring failures OF some of the
police forc,, being fully aware OF the
elect such exposures have upon the
sensitive nature of Mayor Allmond. We
have done this purposely not to wound
the feelings OF the Mayor but to expose
the entire unfitne5s OF some of his po-
lice force for the positions which they
fill. We are fully aware Of the feelings
the Mayor and some Of his policemen
entertain q ,ainst the REPUBLICAN,, and
especially against some of those III
charge of it, and We are not surprised
at such exhibition OF feeling, for indeed
it would be contrary to human nature
to expect anything different. But now
Let US reason the subject calmly with
the Mayor and the public and see where
the faults are. 1t is we'll known by
everybody that better police force was
expected from Mayor Almond than had
servsi un ie- several of the previous
Mayors. Mr.. Almond before his cleo
ton and afterwards, stood high in the
estimation of ths general public ard his
party organs promised radical reforms
especially IN tue eff iency and charac-
ter of his p liz, AMI We have no doubt
in the worli but the Mayor fully intend
cd to h I've model force compared with
any Other that Win ngton had ever
had. H. has now had almost year oi
trial in which to formulate and perfect
his plan, and though his police force
has oaly bsen on duty little over six
months, it is quite long enough for him
to realize tina, he has made great mis-
take ia soma Of his appointments. We
do no. assume to dictate what the May


or should do under these circumstances
nor do We expect him to do anything
viii h might have a semblance Of con.
curing in our views of the case, but it
is nevertheless undeniable that these
mistakes, for We are fully convinced
that they are mistakes, should b. recti


fed, even if officers who have abused
the confidence aud trust reposed in them
should have to Le removed to make
way for others. Mayor Almond should
not hesitate to do this even if it should
appear like foil wing tbs advice Of the
REpUBLI AN. He can afford to be Just,
but b. cam t ford to keep men on his
force who disgrace it, an not only dis
grao ihs orce, but bring dscredit upon
himself IN the city. We wish in wi at
We are saying t, b, distinctly under
stood as not condemning the whole
force, for as We have often said before
there arc men upon it who would be a
cred to sny police force, or Mayor
who appointed them, but as two or
three ro. ten apple, wolld infect bar
rel ,fsound apples, 70 would two or
three unworthy p)icemen bring dis
credit upon the whole force. We do
not wish to be specific in pointing out
the objectionab membets Of the forc-
for they have alrel m ale them,elvs,
conspicuous by their own actions which
We know must pain the sensitive feel


ings of Mayor Allnout and increase
the disgust Of lenient public. 1t is
not much more than six months sine.
the force went upon duty and yet in
that short space of tins several OF the
force have showed their utter unfitness
for thair position. Ono who we under
stand has at last b.eu suspended one
month has been beastly drunk on Sew
eral ;;aiions. Another, We scarcely dare
say not common patrolman has been
guilty of the same thing repeatedly.-
Another an hero we are compelled to
say not a patrolman either, has been
guilty Of Drunkenness. Another was
caught safely lodged in house of ILL.,
fans whica a squad of police under
sergeant raided with the intention Of
arreStins th- inmates and break
ing up thu place, but VIII N they
found one of their own number
inside, enjoying the felicities OF such a
place, the kind hearted Serge mt desis:-
ei from making any arrests. We
might instance other cases but these
are sufficient to show that there is room
for jniicious wedding out as would
vastly improve the moral at least of the
force. No %0ubt the Mayor has roundly
lectured theas rail officers, but in only
one insta ice So far as we know has he
gone to the extren.~ Of suspension for
one month. 1t would oe 40 personal
for US to mention by name some of the
best OF the force who would be i. nfadit
to any city, but we will simply say that
nobody feels the disgrace which three
or four mem oers bring upon the force
more Than they do, ard We are confident
that if they had their way the force
olId soon be clear of them. Mayor
Almond still has little over two years
OF his term to serv~, plenty of time
i'll which TO profit by th- mistakes OF