New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-18
TIE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Police Commissioner Henry Smith, In re-
spouse to questions by reporter said that he ala hot
know exactly whether he retained rs President OF
the Beard OF Police or as COMMISSIONER TIC
judged. however, it was in the latter capacity
He had made no effort for the position ii was
tho work Of friends Of his in the Legislature. He was
not anxious for the place. but considering the amount OF
nbuse that had been heapcd upon him 10y certain Of those
in the Custom house faction, he felt proud OF the
Endorsement he had received from the Legislature.
The vote in tho Assembly when It was pro
pesed 60 strike his Om those to be retained by the
Charter was &c in favor and % against He had friends
in every county the State and In most Of them he was
well known He was willing to be judged by the verdict
OF those among whom he had passed life time He
was not in Albany while the Charter was pending He
did not spend dollar, nor did he authorize
the expenditure OF The passage OF the Charter was
designated defeat OF the Customhouse faction ana
this conceded with his advices on the subject AS TO the
complexion of the Board, that he could not speak
of with any certainty. He had heard George W. Matse
former Chief Of Police, spoken Of rs one OF the
new Commissioners Further than this he krew nothing
as to who would probably constitute the new boaru'
The rumor that Superintendent Keso would be removed
to make room for United states Commissioners
Davenport he said absurd. He did not oeneVo
that Mr. Davenport would receive single vote In the
present Board of Police 80 far he was concerned ne
could say that lie had been q party
to an agreement TO mako Commissioner Davenport
Superintendent OF Police Certainly no such agreement
could have been made by tho new Police Commission
ers for they had net vet been appointed and no one
could say who they would be- Their appoint
meRt rested with the Mayor and Board OF Al
dermen and he did not believe that any one
had been positively settled upon yet for the positions
As vet everything conjecture. No one could say
positively what would DO the result. II might be a
month before all the appointments confirmed. and
until that time there woald be the usual amount of
speculation with nothing positive TO so upon.
Police Commissioner Manierre was called on by
reporter OF TIE TRIBUNE, and questioned as to the
saving to be effected under the Charter He replied
that he thought there would he little difference. At
present the four Commissioners were paid $4,000 each,
or a total of S6OCOO The superintendent was now paid
salary OF $780, il having been reduced from $4,000 on
Jaul There l6 surgeons receiving S25O each
Under the new Charter there were five Commissioners
four of whom receive 5000 EACH and the President
5000 The superintendent gwen $4,000 and there are
q surgeons at a salary of S22O each At present the
salaries the officers enumerated loot up total OF
rie foot mn Sql 900 a reduction Of $4,000 Otherwise he
knew OF NO special change No change was made IN te
clerical force the inspectors captains seIgeat rounus
men. o. pdrOlnen. The force remaining the same IN
point of numbers and salary there Is 0f course no re-
duction. .
Henry SIith could, under the peculiar wording OF the
Charter claim tue position OF President OF the new
Board Police Commissioner MlnieTre replied that he
nothing IN the Charter 10 warrant H. zoe peeular
phraseOOgy merely intended 20 lndividualZe the
persons to ne retained IA once Inc new B0aru When
appointed. would proceed 10 Organize, py eIeCtIus
their officers. SO lar as he knew, there
no truth in the rumor that superintendent heiso
was to be at once removed 10 make room for u g..
Commissioners John l. Davenport nor did lie believe
such action contemplated. In accordance with the
provisions of the Charter Superintendent helSO YOhd
hold office until five days after the appOll aud
organization OF the new Board OF Police, and then he
was compelled 10 vaeate aud make Way lor AlS sue