The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-19
lifting soardg A. That is question Of law which

the Auditing BoardY A. That is question Of law whic
O In case the Commissioners should apply for an ap
preparation to pay eel pauolmen, ana the Audisln
have the right under the law TO increas
the number 050Y A. In such if the law fixed tn
number ESQ., they would not only have the right bu
ii would be their duty, to appoint the legal number
What number OF men did the requisition OF the Com
mssoreIs ask pay for from the Auditing Board for thu
year 1858 a. l don't remember, SIR.
O. Ind the Auditing Board for 1858 make provision fo
the OF all the patromen asked for by the Boart
Of Commissioners for that Year, A. don't remember
that.
@ was the amount levied and collected and payed int
the hands Of the Police Commissioners for the year 1857
sufficient 10 defTay the expenses OF the police
Of the City Of New York for that year. existed at the
time the levy madeS A. believe not
O. Under what law or by what authority Is tnat orsncn
OF the department known the mounted police been
organized2 A. Under the Police law OF 1901 suppose
under the general that the disposition OF affairs
shall remain with the Board.
O. Is such branch specifically provided for9 A. do
not understand that 1t ID.
O. Have there been any arrests made by the mounted
police 1t was in operations A. cannot remember
/ can tell by looking at the returns.
Q. What deficiency, if any has accrued for the main.
OF the department for the year 1858 over and
above the provisions made for its support in the year
the Auditing Board9 A. With the understanding that the
last month paid out of the next approximation, as
heretofore understand that the osensibe discrepancy
will be a 000 but 10 make that amount the Board claim
that the Comptroller paid out Of the fund for the repair OF
the station houses, &c. $4,000 that he ought not to,
which would leave the actual deficiency s2s 600
O. Will there be a deficiency occurring in the same
way at the expiration Of the fiscal year 1859, In the
Poles Department. A. think not, for the reason that
the appropriation Of 1858 provided for only 85l patrol
men and yet us so lite snort Of paying for 1885, can
tell you now this s we are in the habit Of deductins
ment for derection Of duty; such amounts, when de-
docted remain in the fund fines; months $500
5000 are thus added to the fund
@ Have you any recollection by which you state
what amount accrued to the fund in that way during
year 1857 A. have not.
O. Who would be the proper officers to furnish that in
formation A. The treasurer.
Q. Was the question of adding 200 more men to the
cussed by the Commissioners previous their having ap
pointed these men, knowing that there were provisions
for their pay? A. heard the question Of leaving
the numoer at $751; to my recollection, discussed at ALI
but always intended to fill the force
O. Was the intention of the Board Of Commissioners to
have ned 05O without regard to the appro.
priaon made by the Auditing B0ardp A. 1t always
our intention to fill the force as the law commanded.
O. How many surgeons does the act provide fors A.
-Four IN this city aud one in Brooklyn
q By what authority there q greater number than
four performing duty surgeons OF police in the city of
New York; A. There but four surgeons appointed
and for the city OF New Ysrk; there patromeu
detailed to aid them in performing their duties the autho
rty of precedent and the general authority of detailing
men 10 su3h services as the Commissioners shall think
proper within the district.
Q. Was the question of increasing the number Of per-
sons performing the duty OF surgeons in the city Of New
York discussed by the Board Of pre-
vious to that increase having taken place? A. II
@ Was decided at the meeting at which this discus
sion took place. by the board that there should be
persons performing duty as surgeons instead of four
provided for by the lawf Ii was decided to have
number OF patrol men assigned TO assist the surgeonsthe
exact number do not remember.
g Were these patromen taken from the ranks Of the
force9 A. think they were appointed not to act
parolmen, but with 70 their fitness for duty
70 which they were TO be assigned.
@ Can you state whether either Of the gentlemen so
appointed performed any duty patromen Of the
by the question whether they have clubs and
patroed the district they have not but they have per-
formed such duties as ware designated for them faith
fully.
q Was the question OF the law limiting the number to
four discussed by the Commissioners at either Of their
meetings since this question was raised as TO In what way
they would be able to appoint additional number
beyond that specified in the Acts A. 1t fully dis
cussed anc determined By the Board that four could
perform the duties.
Q. Did tie Commissioners to the conclusion that
they were justified in increasing the number, without
authority Of law and in violation Of the act under
which they were organzedf A. They did not come to
any such conclusion: they did conclude that Il
their duty to provide for the health Of the department
sufficient medical force, ana that this was the cheapest
way 70 do it.
O. DO the Commissioners claim that they have dscre-
tionary power in regard to the administration of the
Police act in such particulars those referred
A. They do claim that they have right 10 dispose Of the
force under their command to the best possible advan
tage TO afford protection to property aad person. and
arrange their force as TO make the most economical
Of It
@ The law provides for four surgeons but the Commits.
soners concluded that the number insufficient and
therefore increased il A. Yes.
O. Can you explain to the committee that while the law
only provided for deputy clerks, how is that twelve
men engaged clerks at the headquarters and by
what authority the Commissioners have increased the
staff to double the number required by law A. do not
that they have increased the number clerks
but that clerks found inadequate discharge the
duties, and some patromeu were detailed to perform
clerical duties at $500 year-ess than the la provides
for each clerk to be paid.
O. Do you think that these twelve clerks are all neces
sary for the proper discharge Of the dutes Of that Officer
A. do not know Of anybody performing clerical duties
there who is rot busy and necessary.
there any liked rule providing the mode Of appi-
is; do not remember the rules exactly
SO many applications come directly under your atten
ton that thought you would know the form necessaryo
60 through? A. They have TO write their applca.
TONS know and give written recommendation
signed by certain number OF citizens; then their app
cations filed.
Q Have there been any appointments made without
formal applicationsf A. None to my knowledge that
can recollectY
O. How long after the decision Of the Auditing Board Of
1858 was b lore the force increased from ISL TO
050' A. cannot tell exactly; did make any ap
pointmens, II my recollection serves me- for some time
there were number OF applicants passed through the
deal and whose names published in the papers and
1t some time after the decision before made the
appointmelts-how long cannot exactly tell.
O. The thirteenth rule provides that for utoxication,
&c, the policeman offending shall be Immediately dsmiss
ed. The committee wish TO know whether the rule has
been fully complied with by the Commissioners? A. So
far ! know the Commissioners have done this: they
have Disseminated between disguise OF and ntoxi
cation; in some where the disguise has been slight
paating circumstances; but general rule under.
stand il has been complied with
@ Under this rule Is there any discretion eft9 A. Not
for absolute intoxication. as understand.
Q The third subdivision Of the thirty sixth rule
says also that they shall be Immediately dismissed
for violent, coarse or nsoient language TO supe-
rior subordinate. Has that been fully carried out,
A. 1t has been slightly modified by the Board leaves
discretionary with the Board TO DISMISS now so far az
am aware, do not remember any such case which has
been punished
O. Would case Of two policemen fighting in the station
house be justification enough for the Board to dismiss
tbemS A should think that Ia not the exactly
provided for any OF the sub divisions the Board no
doubt exercise sound discretion in such case there is
10 particular reluctance their part to dismiss Of
tenders.
O. Are there any complaints made against members Of
the force that have been acted upon by the Commits
sioneis9 A. So far as know IL there any exceptions,
they 90 not occur TO me.
AZ President of the Board of Commissioners. do you
believe It to be credable TO the department TO allow
member 10 resign instead Of being expelled who has
detected in committing larceny A. That has been q
subject Of dscusso ia the Beard and the different men,
bers have entertained different views my judgment
would be governed by the particular circumstances Of
each case the penalty of dismissal is quite severe and If
the force can be rid OF bad men that is all.
O. What does the thief for being dismissed A. II
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