For in the higher places we must assume the existence of such a quality in any fit candidate, and must make the promotion with a view to the man's energy, executive capacity, and power of command.

In the lower grades, however, marked gallantry should always be taken into account in deciding among different candidates for any given place.
During our two years' service we found it necessary over a hundred times to single out men for special mention because of some feat of heroism.
The heroism usually took one of four forms: saving somebody from drowning, saving somebody from a burning building, stopping a runaway team, or arresting some violent lawbreaker under exceptional circumstances.

To illustrate our method of action, I will take two of the first promotions made after I became Commissioner.

One case was that of an old fellow, a veteran of the Civil War, who was at the time a roundsman.

I happened to notice one day that he had saved a woman from drowning, and had him summoned so that I might look into the matter.
The old fellow brought up his record before me, and showed not a little nervousness and agitation; for it appeared that he had grown gray in the service, had performed feat after feat of heroism, but had no political backing of any account.