, 1872-10-18
TALCCTT VS.. HICKEY.
How the Former Suspended the
Latter Without Consulting
His Colleagues.
Messrs. Sheridan and K1okke De-
clare Their Independence, and
Compel Mr. Talcott to
Show His Hand.

The conduct of AIr. A[ancel Talcott. President
Of the Board of Police Commissioners, has, dur
ing his term Of Office, been source Of grieVous
irritation to his colleagues in office, and they
have been subjecting themselves to q self-re-
straint that must give way at some time. The
case Of AIancel Talcott against Captain Michael
Hickey furnished an opportunity for their long
pent-up Indignation against Mr. Talcott's Sum-
mary method to burst the chains Of patience.
It will be remembered that the Commissioners
held one Of their ''secret sessions, AN inati-
tuition, by the way, Of Ar. Talcott's own found
ipc,-and examined the chnrges against Captain
Hickey.
When the charges we're read, the Captain wish
ed to know the witnesses against him.
Mr.. Talcott said he would not give them.
11r. Sheridan thought the Captain ought to be
furnished with the names Of witnesses against
him, and AEr. Klokke thought so too.
AIr. Talcott would see the Board id first.
This wasn't T. criminal proceeding anyway.
Mr.. Sheridan said NIr. Talcott was assuming
to act for the entire Board, and that without any
show Of authority. He would insist that q vote
be taken upon the question. Already Mr.. Tai
colt he'd, in Chis) sheridan's opinion, transcend
ed his duties. It was not until that morning
that he had learned that Michael Hickey had
been suspended, and he only learned it then
from a reporter.
Mr. Talcott said he was running the thing,
and in his own choice vernacular, insisted that
there Was no good reason for giving the sus-
pended Captain the names Of his prosecutors.
A1r. Sheridan proposed submitting the ques-
arbiters. Mr. Klokko warmly supported the
suggestion, and the Board proceeded to the
Mayors Office. Mr. Tuley was summoned, and
tho case put to him. He replied that the Cap
tain ought, certainly, to bo supplied with list
Of the names Of the witnesses against him.
Mr.. Talcott maintained that as this was not
8 criminal proceeding, such concession WAS
not necessary.
1lr. Sheridan said that it was quasi-criminal
Captain Hickey would be indicted for malfeas,,
ance in Office.
The Corporation Counsel supported this rea-
soning, and the Mayor thought it advisable to
give the officer the names asked for. Mr. Tai
colt thereupon ordered the nanes to be drawn
up.
Mr. Sheridan then commented severely on the
arbitrary assumptions Of his colleague. Mr.
Klokke thought he considered himself dicta-
tor. This fragrant despotism was not the first
instance Of his ignoring the Board and acting on
his own individual authority.
Nlr. Ta1cott challenged lin to cite unother ill.,
stance.
Mr.. KlokAe said they were numerous enough,
but so common TINT he could not specify any
one at the moment.
Mr. Sheridan said he would mention one among
a very large number, and that in the very same
connection. About two months ago William H.
Eddy lad entered the Board Room with an
arisen, left his seat and securod the document.
Mr. Sheridan had asked him what it was. and the
President had replied that it was . matter
concerning himself alone, 'and not addressed to
4f,1 }1Ho+4 n-t h n1-41
handkerchief from lis coat, then hanging in the
closet, Mr. Sheridan left his seat, aud, encoun-
tering Ar. Eddy, asked him about the contents
of the envelope. Mr. Eddy had replied that the
letter Was addressed to the Board and contained
list Of charges against Captain Hickey. On
bis demonstrating with Mr. Talcott On his du-
plicity and arbitrary conduct, stating that the
envelope contained matter connected with tile
force, Mr. Talcott insisted that it was no such
thing,
Tie two Commissioners represented to the
Mayor that Mr. Talcott was pe1petually violat-
ing the Law by transcending his duties.
The Mayor took up the charges and read them
over. He said ho feared the charges were eome
words.
Mr.. Talcott said those regarding the furs we're
within the statute Of limitations, dating back
only to ten months.
1Ir. Sheridan said he was already satisfied
With the explanation Of that affair. States At
torney Reed had instructed the Captain to act as
he had done.
Mr. Taicott, Charley Read! That's the very
man want to reach. I'll show him up when the
case comes up.
A1r. Sheridan thought it a pretty thing to en-
deavor to dismiss valuable officer merely for
the sake OF gratifying personal spite against
third person.
D1r. Klokke expressed himself as satisfied With
the triumph gnined By compelling Mr. Talcott to
furnish names.
On leaving the Mayors Office; Commissioner
Sheridan went to the Secretary Of the Board,
and asked for the list of witnesses and the affi-
dayits upon which the charges we're made.
The Secretary had not aeen them. It was re-
quired by law that be should be furnished with
the charges and af6davits together, but lie had
not received the latter.
The Superintendent WAS then intorrogated
as to where they were. The Superintendent
had not seen the afhdayits. He had
preferred the charges and made out the order Of
Suspension at Mr.. Ta1cott's dictation, and knew
nothing more about the matter.
Commissioner Sheridan quietly warned the
Superintendent that in so doing he Was clearly
violating 1aH, and that in the future he would do
wisely to take his orders from the Board of Com
missioners, and not from any individual member
Of that body.
Following is the list Of witnesses AIr. Talcott
was so anxious to withhold. A perusal Of them
furnishes an explanation of his reluctance to let
tie public see Oh whom he reliea:
Charlotte ann Wray, Simon Josepni,
William Il. Wray, q: 3. Adams,
Tlos. Montgomery, ". B. Langley,
Michael Friar, Nat Shier
". II. Eddy, August Grum,
Ghetto Eddy, Joe Phcidug,
A. Goldsmith, H. Matthews,
Sergeant L. Lull, Thomas Clayton,
Sergeant ". Buckley, H. II. Eldridge,
I. Sayson, ". Benjamin,
James Morgan, George Ditnager.
nErcDA1 nDnro Mn