The New York herald., 1872-11-27
Comptroller Green and Captain Mills, Of the
Central Park Police, at Loggsrheads
"THE INNOCENT CAUSE or the WAR;"
Park Police Completely Demoralised-
Reorganization Needed.


CAPTAIN MILLS sIDB OF THE STORY
''I'll give 1t all to yOu all OF It," Captain Mills
said yesterday afternoon to HERALD reporter "pil
tell you the whole origin OF the affair, and why Mr..
Green wants to dismiss me from the iOrce. You
know that have been on the Broadway squad, in
the Second precinct, and in the Eighth precinct,
where fought all the gin mill politicians.
thieves and pimps until went back to the Broad
way squad. Mr.. Sweeny and Judge Hilton, who
were then on the Park Commission, sent for me,
and wanted me to take this position and reorgan
lie this force l refused to accept it Tor three
months, until l met Commissioner Maneire on
Broadway one day. lie told me that Judge Hilton
and Mr.. Sweeny wanted to see me. They again
offered me the position oil Captain of the Park po
lice, at the salary was then getting-s2,Oo0. l
told them NO, gentlemen; after ten years service
captain can be retired at 5000 to 600 year. and
l could be retired to-day at $1,000 year,
STORY OF THE CAPTAINS WOES.
Judge Hilton thereupon offered me s2,50o l
advised with the Police Commissioners and they
all advised me not to CO. After six days the Judge
wrote me another note Offering me $4,000. went
back to advise with the Commissioners and Super
tntendent Keso, and they told me that was more
than ever could expect to get on the regular
police. They all advised me TO take the position
all except Bosworth, who refused to take my resg-
nation. Well, you know, everything that Mr.
Swceny and Judge Hilton did was Objectionable to
Comptroller Green, and when he came back upon
the Park Commission he was mad that should
have taken the place Of Captain Roster, who was
particular friend of his
THE CAPTAIN is ASKED TO RESIGN.
Well, Green had no hand in my appointment,
and when his man Roster was removed incurred
his righteous indignation. Since Mr. Green has
come back to the Park Commission lie has taken
occasion to insult me grossly several times. Are
you the new captain p he asked me gruily when
he first saw me. Il am the new captain, said
why was the other captain removed y he asked
in his glum manner. Il don't know said and
that Is the way in which he has repeatedly spoken
to me. You had no business to take the po-
sition,' he told me on another occasion. But,
Mr. Green, said, 4 did not seek It, Well,' he
you had no business to take the position
They have been wanting me to resign
for several months, but (the Captain spoke with
much emphass) told them would not resign !;
that had come here with an honorable record
and that would leave with an honorable record"
that you the OF Captain Roster ~ the
HERALD reporter asked.
THE CAPrAIN's SALARY.
''He can have no other objection to me-" Captain
Mills sad. "Ihey wanted me to retire when Col
onel Stebbns Went to Europe and trumped up
charge Of ntoxication against me-. dared them
to try me on 1t, and they never did, no, sir, they
never did. Then they have reduced my salary
$1,000, although the old Board had passed spe.
me only to have $1,000. / wouldn't have said any
thing about 1t, but at the same time ut which they
reduced my salary $1,000 they raised the salaries OF
dozen clerks here from $500 to $500; they raised
the salary OF the disbursing clerk from $4,000
to $780, ana gave Mr. M vanx sooa; $s5ooo for
The pay of the poor miserable women VINO take
care OF the ladies' cottage In the Park has been
reduced from So DAY to Il so day. Some of
port, and tine husband OF one was on the Park po-
lice and Killed right in this Park. Then they want
to reduce the force still more-l think twenty per
cent.
THE FIGURE HEAD FOR MR.. GREEN.
,oNl When Colonel stebsins told ne apopt this PRO
posed REDUCTION io he said to- me- 'Sou Know am
MIR. Green is the man." replied, "Yes, / know
It, ndeverybody else knowsit Mr.. Stebblns.n Last
Sunday he came up with Mr. Green and he called
me out captain" he said, II have come up to
YOU to tell you that you ought to be superseded,
and that the force must be reorganized. He
the suggestions OF Mr.. Olmsted. asked Mr.
Stebbins why should not be able to command this
reduced force. He sad he did not know, 1t was
know Of the action until he saw 1t in print told
him that would not resign, and asked him when
this change was to take effect He would give me
days."
MR. GREEN NOT AN HONEST MAN.
Last Fall when Mr.. Green came back Mr. Van
Mort told me -"Well, now they'll 60 for your
scalp. Green Is very bitter against you because
took SOstsrs place Can you get Acton or
said; and Mr. Acton went with me to Mr.. Green,
who insulted me right before him. Green never
he was up here to step IN and look at quarters
He says, grufiiy :-"I have been in your quarters
long before you were here" / don't think Mr..
Mr.. Green Is as honest q man as he puts up.
know clerk told me that he put down q big
amount for professional expenses" while ne in
reality spent ns last Winter in Albany
every man who comes before him as thief and O
villain, who wants to steal his p0cketbook. A man
t.nsvx
Such frigid man-the very sight OF him freezes
one.
have told you can make good, and there are those
in New York who can vOuch for me-men who are
worth millions assure you could tell you things
astonsh the readers ofthe HERALD. There is many
q rotten egg in the state Of Denmark. Isuppose
immediate removal, but don't care a ngln
MR. GREEN'S SIDE OF THE STORY.
The reporter oade the Captain goodby and
handsome residence, No. Fifth avenue. The
reporter requested him to give him all the facts.
Mr Green en- said law dorbids G that any captain
why we had to reduce his salary.n He disclaimed
any enmity towards Captain Mills, and said he had
only the kindest intentions towards the Captain.
As for the rough language that the Captain said he
tthe Comptroler) had used towards him, he did
not remember 1.-THE did not remember the parti-
cular language he used. He thought IL was very
disrespectlul on the part OF Captain Mills to have
called Mr. Stebbns O mere "ngure-head''-
dHu III was tullIcly ne (COHpIrOller
Green) never intended to freeze the Captain. at
Is very likely that did not approve of crowding
man out who has, like Roster, served the people
with fidelity. Captain Mills was trained for the
Metropolitan police, and may be better fitted for
that post. Well, l have weightier matters on
my, mind than the discharge OF o policeman,
and-n
The Comptroller did not finish. and called Mr..
WhttemOre, the Secretary OF the Board. Mr..
whittemore came out OF the dining room, and was
delighted to see the reporter. Mr.. Whittemore
said the poor women who took care OF the ladies'
cottages only got ninety cents a day under the Old
regime, yet the Ring Board raised their paw to 81
4 day. 1t would not be fair to pay men who
we're working hard outdoors, 81, and women who
we're sewing In the cottages, SO, too.
THE CAPTAINS CHARGE DENIED.
! Mr., Green added that this was not personal
question, but one affecting the reorganization OF
The Park police. He could express no opinion in
regard to the Captains efficiency, and referred the
reporter to Colonel Stebbns. The reporter went
TO the atters residence, on Sixteenth street, right
)n Fifth avenue. Mr.. Stebbins was at dinner, and
The reporter waited in the parlor, which is luxur
antly furnished.
"What has given me the honor of this visit ?"
lln han