The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-06-11
THE MAYOR T0AINATBss Il NEW CHIEF
OF POLICE.
MAJOR POE DOES NOT RESIGN.

1
all the facts presented, to retain the police
force in its integrity, I shall be proud to
continue my efforts in preserving good
order and afording protection to the whole
community. If, however, you should decide
otherwise, I respectfully suggest that l
cannot perform an impossibility, and re-
quest that be relieved from further re-
sponsibility."
Accompanying this communication was
a petition signed by a very large number of
property holders praying for the retention
of the police force Oh duty when Mayor
Chahoon came into Office.
THE MAYORS NOMINATION.
General Stoneman referred these docu-
ments to Mayor Chahoon, who returned
them to headquarters with the following
endorsement, now first made public =
"MAYoR's OFEIcE,
1a RICHMOND, VA, June 6, 1868.
Respectfully returned to Major-General
Stoneman with the information that the re-
movals referred to in Major Poe's commu
nication were made for political and not
for party reasons-men who were opposing
the reconstruction measures Of Congress
were removed, and Union men, equally eff
fcient, were put in their places. r.
80" 1t being suggested to me that the dis
missal from the police might reflect upon
the private character of the men dismissed,
I, at their request, made the endorsements,
appearing upon my orders of removal in a
spirit of personal kindness and considera-
ton. -, 1919
y" Attention is respectfully called to the
fact that the petition enclosed by Major
Poe bears date. of the 18th and 18th Of.
April, three weeks before my appointment
as Mayor, and it, therefore, is evident that
| it was not called forth by the removals
made by me !; and since some of the sign.
ers of that petition have made applications
to me for positions upon the police force,
and others have personally solicited the
appointment of their friends, it is reason
able to infer that some of the signers Of
this petition believe that the safety of the
city would not be jeopardized by o change
in the police force.
s'It is true, perhaps, as stated by Mojor
Poe, that some Of the men removed were,
at the commencement Of the war, of the
tender age referred to-, but an examination
will, L think, show that some, and indeed
most of them, had arrived at the full age
of discretion. However this fact may be,
do not believe that the peace and quiet. of
this city is dependent upon the retention in
Office of the present police force. If such
is the fact, we are assuredly in critical
position, ,sand the dearest interests of the
city are at the mercy Of men who, if Major
Poe's example be followed, are likely to de-
sert us upon even SO slight o provocation as
an insignificant change in the force which
\ u cir IN hof Ma
Poe is mistaken in this, and that he has be-
come unnecessarily alarmed. If, however,
he is right in his fears, it is evidently
serious duty, that admits of no delay, to
entirely re6rganize the police while we
have yet q sufficient military force here to
protect us from the dangers anticipated by
the Chief of Police. ~ ~ F
"In city in which there is a majority
of Union men I ain not of the opin-
ion that the public quiet demands that
the police should be composed exclu-
sively, if in any part, Of sayowed sympa-
| thisers with secession, and those unyield-
| ing in hostility torthe General Government.
I cannot think that the efficiency of the po-
lice force has suffered orsbeen in peril by
the removals. have made, and shall make
in the future, no changes except such as IN
my Judgment will tend to make the force
| more efficient. do not agree with Major
Poe in believing that it has become impos-
sible to preserve the quiet of the city be-
cause of the removal of the seven old po-
licemen and the appointment of seven new
men in their ste. nor do believe that the
men removed. should be restored to the
force but would respectfully recommend
and request the acceptance of Major Poe's
resignation, and the appointment Of W. w.
Putnam, ut present Captain of Police, as
| Chief of Poll, 3 in his stead. p:t 6 49,,
r's GEORGE CHAHooN, Mayor"
On the return of the papers thus en-
dorsed, General Stoneman, through Colonel
| Chalfn, Assistant Adjutant- General, wrote
| brief note to Major Poe, inviting him to
examine the endorsement, and after read
ing it, to state whether his letter of the Sd,
already quoted, was intended as q resigna-
| ton. sss-. -. $780,.
This note was received by Major Poe late
| Tuesday night, and on yesterday afternoon
the following answer was returned ::
Ea MAJOR POE TO COLONEL cHALFIN.
&" HEADQUARTERS CHIEF OF POLICE,
"RICHMoND, June 10, 1868. )
]" Colonel s., 2. Cha!fn, Assistant Adja-
a tant- General: s
80" Sir,-I beg leave to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication Of the 9Th
instant, and to say in reply that did not
intend my communication to be considered
as q tender Of my resignation of the Office
| which hold, but sent it with the view of
1 calling the attention of the commanding
4 General to what conceive to be the injus-
tice done the policemen who have been re-
moved by Mayor Chahoon. He has stated
to you his reason for removing them. 1t
remains with you to say whether it Is
/ sufficient one or. not. lam responsible for
the good order of this city and for the pro-
lection of the lives and property of its citl-
I GEMS, and conceive that it is my indubitaDie
right to object if unreliable material be
given ME with which to discharge the du-
I ties Of my Office. ~ ~;
tsVery respectfully yonrsbedient servant,
q JoHN Poe, Jr., Chief Of Police !
THE AFFAIR BEFORE THE COUNCIL. sea
1 eeIn the meantime the affair was brought
4 before the Council by means of petition
from the discharged policemen. asking to
be reInstated. After some spirited discus
1 sion, it was referred to q standing commit
1 tee, between whom and ssthesM Mayor theft
Lowing correspondent passed IN the; i~nyes- ~
litigation Of the subject: - , 81 Z, -. E
RIeHG0AD, Junes9, lSbs.s
: Hon. George ekahoso,n, (, llsayor of Rich
asir.-Bsins member b,l I, of / the he committee