The New York herald., 1873-07-19
POLICE MATTER
Firearms for the Metropolitan Force-Mayof
Hsvemeyer's Letter to Governor Dix
The Police Commisaoners Re-
QUESTION for Arms

commissioner Duryec yesterday forwarded ia
Governor Dix the requisition for arms for the
police, signed by the Mayor and the other docu-
mcnts relating TO the question. General Duryee,
together with Commissioner RUSSELL has worked
assiduousy TO accomplish this movement, and his
success has given much satisfaction to the Board.
Mayor Havemeyer has been very much interested
in the matter, and gave the Commissioners all the
assistance IN his power. The following some OF
the reasons which induced General Duryee to
undertake this task OF forming
POLICE BRIGADE
No city or municipality is secure against the
occurrence OF circumstances requiring a resort to
the military power to suppress violent proceed
ings. The law recognizes and provides Tor such
exigencies even In the rural districts OF the State
In the metropolitan district there are likely to be
frequent occasions Tor resort to the military force.
Inc process or Notifying and mastering the
national guards is much too slow TOR such eXigen =
ces and is calculated to increase the excitement
vate the danger OF collisions. Calling out the
military force ID allied with great expense. 1t is a
serious interruption to the business avocatiOns
members of the corps. The citizen soldier ought
TO be relieved so lar as consistent with the public
welfare. from the nard duty OF using firearms upon
combine in support OF the suggestion that brig
ade OF the police force be organized in military
form and instructed III the manual OF arms and in
evOlutons adapted to service In Cities this brigade
to be used as a military iorce only under such
grave circumstances now authorize the Board Of
Police to call out the military OF the district In aid
OF the civil authority. such force well drilled
accustomed TO act together, at all times ready for
duty, capable OF being called out with
out adding to the public. excitement and
without the knowledge Of the hostile parties
their inception violent attempts to disturb the
peace OF the city, 1t is only necessary to refer to
police brigade had been organized at that time,
and fully up to the drlll and discipline Of military
t city snS
one million dollars worth Of public and private prop
erty protected. irresponsible armed military
bodies, accustomed to drill and acting under COM
mand OF desperate men, are perpetual nuisance
to the legal authorities and formidable source Of
by the police, unless they also were armed and
drilled There are numerous organizations in the
city, composed OF quiet and well disposed persons,
scarcely compatible with public safety ky in city
filled with powerful dangerous class and subject
ganizations to meet drill and attain the discipline
OF regular troops, unless they were organized
and responsible command.
Among the papers forwarded to Albany is the
following
FROM THE MAYOR TO THE GOVERNOR
70 MaYons orrGE n NEW E YonS July H. 1873
whereas the ielowins resolution was duly passed by
the Board OF Police Commissioners of the city OF New
Resolved That T 6Om%ssionsT baryee be authorized to
procure The use OF SO many rifles as he may deem neccs
whereas eer.Ssi copy of said resolution has this
thereof and which requstion Is hereto annexed: now
William f. Havemeyer, Mayor OF the city OF New York,
under and in pursuance OF the act Of the Legislare
der passed April Is lsa5 do hereby make Application
@ hs snnsxs ns Z ns
Added TO the above was the subjoined
REQUIsITION.
STATE NEW YORK,
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT,
HEADQUARTERS POLICE DEPARTMENT. }
Renuison for ordnance and ordnance stores tor the
use OF the Police department. New York city,
500 Remington breech-loadng rifles cal 50.
800 tompiOns,
100 holster revolvers and holsters
lS) infantry swords aud knots
$50 infantry belts
10 drums.
10 bugles.
understood that 25 stands Of arms to be
placed In each of the thirty-L precincts.
certify that the above Is correct that the men for
whom this reau,sion made have been duly enrolled
and inspected and that the ces specified
sary public service rendered so by the following
circumstances . -. -
lively the public and private property OF the eity
Commissioner OF Police and Chairman Rules and Disci
General Duryee presented yesterday a silver
medal to Oicer Nugent, OF the Fourth precinct. Tor
conduct discharge oil his duties,