New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-04-11
The Secrets Of the Torture-ROOm.
A DAY OF GUILLoTINING-HEADS OFF.
COUNTING the SCALP

Yesterday afternoon Mayer Wood and City Judge
Russell of the Board Of Commissioners of Police met
at the MAYORS Office for the purpose OF making ap-
pontmerts in the Police Department. The meeticg
was extremely private, and held at an unusually esry
hour, fc, the purpse Of throwing the reporters OF
their guard The Commissioners generally hold meet
ires twice sweek-Tuesday and Friday afternoons
making appointments on the former day, and holding
open Court on the latter, for the trial of policemen
charged with violation of the rules and regulations and
derection of duty On this occasion scouts were out
ard the reporters kept out Of the way
The Commissioners commenced their labors with
the removal Of several policemen, charges some
Of which charges were Of the most fnylous nature,
orIy for mere prete1t for their action and then BY
making a large batch of appointments and filling
eyery yacar CIV that existed The pames Of those
moved we could not ascertain, neither could we learn
the lanes or character Of the men appointed By
way Of whet;ing their appettes preparatory to the
grand business of the meeting, the Commissioners
oyerbauled the Lieutenants, and dismissed auumber
Of these from the depaitmen'. The names ofhese we
were also unable TO ascertain.
Next in order came the captains; and the sensation
that existed in the office among those there assembled
uron hearing that these superior officers were the
scnbed. Among those present were the captains OF
nearly all of the Wards, and not a small namber Of
politicians the personal friends and supporters of the
Mayor.
The Commissioners were seated in the Mayors pr.
vete office with closed doors when Captains Leonard
of the Second and Hopkins of the Third Ward were
summoned TO appear before the powers that be-
The interview was brief and resulted 10 the re-
at,poin,ment of Capt. George w. Dlks OF the FIT
tenth Ward. upon the recommendation and urgent
solicitation of Captains Leor ard and Hopkins. Capt
Dlks was summoned before the Commissioners, when
the Mayor addressed him, informing him of his re-
appontment and otherwise congratulsting him.
Can't. Alderman of the Ninth Ward, upon the ap-
,Icaton of large numbers Of the "hard listed in
that section of the city, next resppointed.
Cant HART of the Seventeenth Ward was removed,
Int upon what prete1t we could not learn, and WIN.
Mansfield formerly butcher but more recently de-
.aed officer at the Tombs appointed to fill the va
csrcy.
Can't. Russell of the Thirteenth Ward was removed
upon charges that have been pending for some time,
and upon which DO decision has heretofore been sde
although he stood bis trial over month since.
man named Fisher Weeks, who, it is said, used to
keep a grog.shop, was appointed to fill the vacancy
occesioned by the removal of Captain Russell. This
appointment was secured by Alderman Mcdonnell.
The Mayer in rendering the Captancy to Mr.. Weeks,
paid high tribute of respect to the distinguished
Alderman who had used bis Influence in the MISTER.
Business being now ended the Board adjourned, and
the MAYORS Office was soon cleared. Orders were
given by the Mayor to keep the matter perfectly quiet
and not give information of the appointments or dis
missals TO the reporters.
Late in the afternoon, at the invitation of the new
captain, large party assembled at wel-known re-
staurant on Broadway, and psrtook Of sumptuous
dir ner-bat is as sumptuous as French cooking, with
al the delicaces of the season. could make it. Capt
Leonard we understand presided. Nearly all the esp
tans were present. the lest Of the company being COM
posed of choice spirits from the Common Council and
influential politicians. Enthusiastic speeches were
made in support of Mayor Wood and bis political
COursp.