The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1909. AMERICAN POLICE METHODS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2585, 20 August 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1909. AMERICAN POLICE METHODS.

The information given by General Bingham, ex-Commissioner of the New York Police with regard to the condition of the force in that city serves as a reminder of the terriblo corruption that can creep into the civil life of a community once the public becomes apathetic in regard to the conduct of its public affairs. George Washington gave, to the United States the finest political constitution that has been penned for tho guidance of any nation in the annals of history, and none ever commenced to work out its destiny under' brighter auspices. Y r et, how has that- promise been fulfilled ? In wealth and prosperity the Americans have progressed to an extent that would have been considered incredible a century Ago, but, unfortunately, the grand ideals of the noble founders of tho country have been sadly neglected. No stronger indictment of the political immorality of a community can be conceived than tlio statement of General Bingham which is to the effect that 2000 members of the New York polico force are hopelessly corrupt. To use his own words: “They aro unscrupulous grafters, whose hands arc always open for easy money.” He adds that the power of Tammany Hall rests on its power to control the police, and that criminals and dishonest politicians pay £20,000,000 sterling for votes and immunity. After so definite a statement, we must be quite prepared to accept his finding that New York is the most lawless city on the earth. Unfortunately, New York does not stand alone in the evidence it supplies of the almost unspeakable corruption which disfigures Ameri- : can politics, both municipal and national. At the present time San Francisco is still endeavoring to deal out justice to some of the hordes of blackmailers who have been making huge fortunes from the immorality of the people through the dishonesty of the police. Infamous brothel dens, the vilest of grog shops, and gambling resorts are tolerated by the police, who receive heavy bribes as consideration, and the police in their turn have to pay large sums to those city officials who are responsible for their appointment. It is the same in almost every department of municipal life, and the recognised method of achieving an end is by the exercise of what is known as “a pull.” If a, franchise is needed to permit an electric car company to have the sole monopoly of running its cars through a crowded thoroughfare, the councillors or aldermen are squared with heavy bribes, and in this way private syndicates receive concessions from tho public worth millions of pounds lor a trifling consideration. It is the same with gas and electric light companies, who aro given rights to exploit tho public to their heart’s content, so long as they are able to satisfy the greed of the mercenary wretches who manage to secure the public positions. When one remembers that there are 80,000,000 of people in the United States, it will be realised that there is an enormous field for activity of this kind, and boodling is such a inrofi. table occupation amongst municipal officials that their positions are greatly sought after. Not only New York and San Francisco, but also Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louts, and Boston have all bad their civic scandals in l’ecent years, but the trouble is so deep-rooted that it is .difficult to secure an improvement. Tiro grafting brigade invariably nominate a ticket whenever a municipal election is being held, and with the assistance of vested interests have little difficulty in keeping honest men out. They take care that the Governor of a State and also tho Mayor of a town are amenable to their views, and as tho Governor nominates the chief Stato officials, including the public prosecutor, there is littlo fear of their plans being seriously disturbed. Generally speaking, the public deplores the corruption, hut shrugs its shoulders, as much as to say “wo must grin and bear it.” Now and again 'a real reformer comes to tho front, and as a municipal Roosevelt, joins issue with tho forces of corruption. Tho public applauds and hopes lie will wiii, but the inexorable machinery of the grafters is sot going, and if tho would-be reformer cannot be bought in he will certainly find himself hopelessly beaten in the long run. The position is one that is full of dismay for tho thoughtful American citizen, for in many cases even tho law of tho country has to givo way to the machinations of the professional grafter. For ourselves, the inevitable lesson is the old one, namely, that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Up to the present national politics in New Zealand have been kopt at a very high standard, and it is exceedingly rare that any breath., of suspicion can ho cast upon our municipal officers. Of

our police force the worst that can Be said is that they work exceedingly well for very small pay. Just now we are having an inquiry by Commission into certain charges that have been brought against the Department, but it must be remembered that these have been directed, not so much at the conduct of the force, as at the administration of those at its head. So far as the proceedings have gone to date nothing has transpired to diminish in any degree the high reputation which the force holds in the minds of the pubic. If we are wise we will guard that reputation as jealously as if our own personal honor were involved, and nover permit even the merest suggestion of "a political pull” in regard to police appointments to go unchallenged. Tho Un:ted States has provided us with a most dispiriting example of what may happen when any community so far loses itself in the pursuit of money-iTjaking as to become careless of the standard of its public life.