New-York tribune., 1874-07-08
THE NEW POLICE COMMISSION.
GEO. w. MATSELL.


George William Matsell was born In England
in 1876, and is present Gs years old His pareus
to this country when he years old Upon reaching
manhood he became q clerk In a booksellers store.
After acquiring knowledge OF the business he nvested
his savings In bookstore Of his at Chatham and
Pearlsts, where Ae remained for over ten years.
Joining political club meantime, he gradually
acquired party strength, and was at last elected a
Police Justice, sitting the Tombs Police Court In
1874, the Municipal Police act was passed. a law
enabling the Mayor to organize strong police force in
place OF the poorly disciplined and nderently organ
lzed force which hitherto guarded the city. Mayor
HiVemeyer nominated Justice Taylor for the
ofD'e OF Chief OF Police OF the new
force. Mr.. Taylor confirmed by tho Board
OF Aldermen but the Board Of Assistant Aldermen re-
fused their the ground that the candidate
was Wing. The Mayor then nominated Mr.. Matsell,
who was unhestatinSly confirmed by both Boards.
Chief OF Police Matse served for - years. period
embracing the terms OF Office OF Mayors Haycmeyer,
Brady, Woodruff, Mickle. Kingsand, Westorvelt and
part OF that OF Fernando Wood. The chief police
events with which he had to deal were the Astorplace
riot and the turbulence Of election days.
The Metropolitan Police act was passed by the State
Legislature In 1857. act which consolidated the
Police Departments OF the counties Of NewYork Kings
Richmond, and weschester Tle Governor and state
Senate selected rulers OF the department the follow
ing persons: Simeon Draper James Bowen, j. :. T.
Stranahan, James NYe and jacob q. CholwelI
Immediately after the act was passed Mayor
Wood announced that he believed that the law that
established Metropolitan Police District uncons
tutional and that he could not obey it, Chief Matse
held tho same opinion and decided 20 obey the Mayor
until the laws validity established. The new Police
Commissioners met and issued orders to the force
part OF the force recognized the authority OF the Com
missiOncrs, but the majority dill not The Mayor
applied for a permanent injunction to restrain the
A test case was then carried to the Supreme Court
which affirmed that the law constitutional Mayor
Wood then appealed 20 the Court OF Appeals Whe the
case being considered by the last-named COURT
Mayor Wood came in conflict with the state
authorities in matter which was irrelevant 10
the police complication, but which, from the
bloody circumstances attending its decision
materially Influenced the opinion OF the people as TO the
WISDOM OF his resistance. The street nmS'loher, a
Mr. Taylor, died, aud Gov King appointed Ddnlel D.
CoHOyer 20 tn. vacant office. Mayor Wood Thought tha
the appointment belonged 10 Ills ONCE ana Oh lcru
Dppnty-C mmssioner Turner 10 hold tao ID part
ment. Ar. CunOver upon attempting 10 enter
the Street tOBmissOnePs Office on the morn
ing Of June 20. 1851 elected oy ;he policemen, who
the force. Mr. Conoyer imnrdiitey appeared before
Judge II yAnan Of tue Superior court, a9a op,ained =
assault and battery. Dulng tno same hOr RtcoTuer
Sitb osn is.lrI "A warrant for the arrest OF Mayor
wood on charge Of nrtins riot Tne Warrant IN the
civil gwen To Corohcr Perry to serve ne Delg
5he Iny yrI Clntof ,to o ,yor M ON civil pfoccss Cap
W1i1g of the Aletropolitlu Police was given TIE Re-
corler's warrant. AZ tho moment wnen the warr'nts
were ISSUED the interior the CITY Hall was filed with
Ihc Metropolitan Police TO tho nuEjar ot bJo' uIIrr
commend OF Cacf Matscll. The Mayor, N the Cy
Hal. refused 70 recognize Capt. Waing's authority
81 wnereupon that o!icer gave tue warrant TO
Sheriff Wlc't. M.anYhile Coroner Perry, who
had attempted to enter tle building. had
been elected Dy the police 10 ~ % 80 Of the Metro
poitins then gwen to COrOnr PREY as a siLrl'
and he again aJemDtcd TO enter tine city ii Ill., But the
Municipal Police rushed out IN oyarppw"rlng NUMBERS
and quickly put to gnt the MetrOpJhtihs. several ot
received injuries from Milcn lhty tlcl iu1
others were badly hurt that they arc nValded ID
tAi5 day. Tho services Of the 7th Regiment. whlch
happ,ucd ut the time 10 be assembled ana
through the proper chdnne, ahd the Warrant "1Ic
served without frrther trouble. Thc htNt uay tnr ne
apuear before them at the new lfeaiq lie dlu
not recOgz, tho order trcd for IT, aud dismissed
the Department. Frederic W. TlllmaJSe was thtn ap-
pointed 70 M the ytcancy Mr. Milsrl w,s "silh APP
pointed Superintendent OF Police IN VI ", 153 and con-
tinucd 10 nod the oice up 10 last niInt.
JOHN r. yOORIIS.
John r. VO0rhiS, whom the Mayor has appointed
Police Commissioner, is u we.lkD0wn builder or good
standing He is 40 years of age and lives at No. 7oG
Green chst. originally O.l-line Democrat,
but subsequently was ranked with the Democratic
Reformers. He was prominent and active member
of the Council Of Political Reform. On April S, 1873,
with d. d. I. Marshall and James L. Stewart, he
was named by the MAYOR for the Excise
Board, and tho nomination was speedily con
frmed These appointments were made in
accordance with general law passed in 1870. which in
trusted the Mayor with the designation of Excise Com
missioner subject the approval Of the Common Conn
ell He entered upon his Office before the passage OF the
charter and has favored bold policy in the admuis
traton OF the Department which has aroused the oppo-
sit!on of the liquor dealers.