Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-24
Csrpsfatisn Attorney Carlisle backs mp thu
Mayer with an Opinion!
MAYOR sERRKr DELIVERS vALrDIcronr.

Attorney General had given an opinion against
the position taken by Mayor Berret in the matter
Of refusing subscribe to the oath Of allegiance
taken by his fellow Police Commissioners and
this morning It was whispered that the board
had, In accordance with that decision, voted
that Mayor Berret could not act with them. To
all the talk created by this position OF things a
new impetus was given this morning, by the an
nouncement Of the arrest Of Mayor Berret on
charge of disloyalty.
IL was at hrst su opposed that the arrest was an
Immediate result of his refusal to take the oath Of
allegiance, but subsequent developments showed
that Government had causes for his arrest quite
independent Of his action in connection with the
Board OF Police Commissioners. Mayor Berret
left the ing Of the Police Board about7 O'Clock
pm. He wa arrested at his house on Il street in
the course Of the night but 30 quietly was the
rest effected that probably not single resident Of
the neighborhood was aware Of the movement
until long after the Mayor had been placed upon
the train, and was far his way to Fort Lafay-
cite, New York harbor.
A MESSAGE SENT TO Mr.. John BERRKT.
About O'Clock this morning a colored man
was seen In the vicinity Of the Treasury Building,
inquiring anxiously for the residence Of Mr.. John
Berret On being Questioned as to his pertinacious
search for this party at so early hour, he said
that he was entrusted with an urgent message
from the wife Of Mayor Berret to his brother
John, Informing him that Mayor B. chad been ar
rested at his house at a. m, and would be sent
away by the q. N. train to Fort McHenry."
Mr.. BkRREr AT THE CARS.
The person to whom the colored man commu-
nicated this information fastened to the cars and
met oficer Yeatman 10 whom he said, s.They'ye
got your Mayor in quod, and are bringing him to
the cars" Officer Yeatman replied, she Is not
my Mayor" but took position by the station rail-
ings and On the arrival Of the Mayor paid his
parting adieux to his chief. Mayor Berret reached
the depot 10 minutes before o'clock and spent
the time until the departure Of the train In con-
versation with his guards, (who were In citizens
dress) and with such Of his friends had got
scent Of his arrest in season to meet him at the
depot Mayor B. put the best face possible on
his position, but II quite evident to those who
saw him that his cheerfulness was forced, and
that he appeared "to have something on his
mind {"
There were but few persons at the depot when
Mayer Berret, accompanied by two gentlemen
(strangers to those around) and an oticer Of the
army, took their places In the cars Shortly be
fore the departure OF the train, Mr. John Berret "a
brother Of the Mayor arrived, very much agitated
apparently; and few moments were devoted to
conversation by the two, the substance Of which
is only known 10 the officers In whcse custody the
Mayor appeared to be. Upon the departure Of the
train, Mr.. Joha Berret turned away very much
affected; aud to a uggestion that the destination
Of the Mayor was probably Fort Hamilton, re.
piled, No, Fort Lafayette"
rRocEsDIsss OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE.
We are enabled to lay before our readers to-day
the following very interesting report Of the i'm.
Portant proceedings Of the Board of Police Com
mIssiOners during the week:
Monday.-The board met In the City Hall at
10 O'Clock m, pursuant 10 the order Of the Pres
ident Of the United States; present Mayor Berret
Of Washington, Mayor Addison of Georgetown,
and Commissioners Wallach, Tenney, Bowen.
and Brown.
On motion Of Mr.. Wallsch, Mayor Berret wa.
called to the chair, and Mr.. Brown appointed
citing secretary.
Mesrs. Addison, Tenney, Wallach Bowen,
and Brown submitted their oaths Of ONCE Mayor
Berret declined to do So upon the ground that The
oath which he had taken a. Mayor Of w ashingt ton
rendered the subscribing to any new oath unneces.
sary, being q member Of the board only by virtue
Of his ONCE as Mayor Of Washington.
Mr.. Tenney (of Georgetown) opposed this view
Of the case, At some length and on motion Of that
gentleman the question was referred to the Attor-
ney General Of the United States for his decision
The Board then proceeded to effect a perma
nent organization, when Richard wallach was
elected President, Jos. r. Brown Treasurer, and
Thos. A. Lazenby Clerk.
On motion, the salary Of the Clerk was axed at
81 900 per annum.
On motion Of Mayor Berret, the Captain of the
Auxiliary Guard }" and the members thereof
were continued In Once until the Lat of Septem-
Der, 1861.
A notice to applicants was ordered to be In
serted in the daily papes. This notice may be
seen In another columnl
THssday.-After some unimportant proceed
ings, Messrs. Brown, Bowen and Tepney were
appointed committee to divide the District Of
Columbia into ten districts.
Thursday. The President laid before the
Board the following written opinion Of the At
tosney General:
OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
ATTORNEY GENERALS OYFIcz)
y August, 1861 (
opinion the question whether the members of the
Board Of Police for the District Of Columbia
created by the act Of 9th August 1861, entitled
AN act 70 create Metropolitan Police District
Of the District Of Columbia" &C., are required
10 take the oath Of allegiance prescribed by the
frst section Of the act Of the same date entitled
support the Consultation Of the Unifed ssates.n
The Metropolitan Police Act above referred to-
Sec. 2, provides that Immediately upon lis pas,
sage, the President shall appoint by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, ave Commits
soners Of Police, who shall be the chief ofcers Of
the said Metropolitan Police Districts, and who
shall severally possess and perform therein the
powers and duties enjoined by this act The said
Commissioners, together with the Mayors of the
cities Of Washington and Georgetown, sx-oDfeio,
tricts, and majority Of them shall constitute a
quorum Of such board for the transaction of bust
meas
The Police Board referred TO In your letter,
consists then, Of seven members, ave appointed
by the President and the Mayors Of Washington
and Georgetown.
The oath section Of the same act provides that
the Board Of Police shall annually, on or before
the nrst Monday In November, report In writing
the condition Of the police within said districts 70
the Secretary Of the Interior.
The act of August, 1861, requiring the oath Of
allegiance, (sec. ID declares that IL shall be the
duty Of the heads Of the several Departments TO
cause 10 be administered 20 each and every offices,
clerk, 90 employs now In their respective Depart
mene, or In any way connected Herewith, or
VINO shau hereafter In any way become connected
tnerewith, the oath therein prescribed; and