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far as human nature permits, be assimilated to the latter. If,
as individuals, the members of the Board belong to party, in
their official characters, they should aim to be, at least, so
far above it, as not to violate the plain terms of the law, or to
lose in the sympathies of a partizan, the honesty of a judge.
At all events in there removals from office, the Commission-
ers thus far strove to avoid the errors into which their prede-
cessors are alledged to have fallen, and which may have en-
tered into the causes for their removal by the Governor.

The Commissioners have been more explicit in this report
than they would otherwise have been from the fact that the
matter assumed consideable notoriety at the time, not only in
this city and State, but throughout the United States. Many
rumors have been circulated as to the powers and authority
of the Commissioners, and what they should have done or
could have done. A careful analysis of the oath of office can-
not but convince the most skeptical that the Commissioners
have followed the course the law dictated. They know that
it is impossible to satisfy every body. He who attempts to do
so must signally fail. The Commissioners, guided by the ad-
vice of eminent counsel, have been careful not to violate the
law. To do what is right has been their endeavor.

The effect produced by partisan Commissioners of Police
and partizan police officers is of two recent an occurrence to
be forgotten. A repetition of the events of the past few
months is not desirable. The Commissioners in all doubtful
cases have consulted counsel, and can point to their official
acts as being in accordance with the laws enacted by the Leg-
islature for their guidance. That the law is not perfect in all
respects is generally admitted, and it is sincerely to be hoped
that you will amend it in such manner as your wisdom may
dictate.

On their induction into office the Commissioners determined
to make an effort to render the police force more effective. A
visit to each of the station houses, and a personal interview
with all of the officers and men, was among the first of their
official acts, and they are pleased to say that it has had a very
salutary effect. The frequent repetition of these visits at the
station houses, and to the men while on their beats, both day
and night, have tended to make them more faithful and effi-
cient in the discharge of their duties. The consequence is,
that the city is more quiet, and there is less breach of the
peace than is usual at this season of the year.

This fact is, indeed, as gratifying to the Commissioners as
it must be to you, and they flatter themselves that as they
become more familiar with the peculiarities of the office im-
portant improvements will suggest themselves, which will
result in making the Police Department of Baltimore equal,
if not superior to any in the United States.

It is hardly necessary that we should inform you of the