The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-31
THE POLICE INTRIGUE.
More Particulars About the Alleged Anonymous
Correspondence Commissioner Lain
beer Says About the Letter to the Mayor.

beer Says About the Letter to the Mayor.
Yesterdays disclosures as TO the anonymous cor.
respondence were the talk OF the day In political
and official circles. This was especially the case
at Police Headquarters. There seemed to be but
one impression abroad, and that was not favor
able TO Commissioner Russell. Every one pointed
to the similarity OF style and expression In the two
letters published, and even some OF the Commits
sioner's friends admitted that Notwithstanding
his denials the case surrounded with suspicion.
Commissioner Smith SAID he gave his opinion as
member OF the committee, and that was that the
letter was in the handwriting OF Mr.. Russell.
Commissioner Gardner seemed to entottain no
doubt whatever in the matter; but II Is quite evil
dent that these oficials have other evidence at
their command, and which has not YET been made
public. 1t was said yesterday that o gentleman
called on Commissioner Charick during the DAY
and gave him convincing and unquesti0nable
proof OF Mr. Russen's authorship OF the letter
signed Taxpayer"
About the time the appointments for the present
Board of Police Commissioners were made one or
two members or the present Board, in whom the
Mayor had IN nited confidence, were shown the
letter written by Mr.. Russell to Mr.. Laimbeer.
They did not take into high estimation the style
0fthe composition, and they made up their minds
to watch the writer if he were appointed and con-
frmed Commissioner. Mr.. Russell was made
q Commissioner for the short term, one
year, and soon after the five members OF
the Board met in special session. None
of the Commissioners had much personal knowl-
edge Of each other, and consequently the first
meetings Of the Board were mostly taken up with
studies OF the capabty and fitness for the Office
or their colleagues. Mr.. Russell appears not to
have created favorable impression. Mr.. Charlick
thought him too literally disposed when demands
Tor charity were made, and suggested on one Occa-
sion that Mr.. Russell allow his feelings to find cX-
preston through his personal purse rather than
the puDlc means. One or two things OF this
kind disturbed the harmony Of the Board
and soon news or commissioner Russell's discon-
tent was brought to the knowledge OF his cot
leagues. This wdened the breach that might have
been brldged over and the disposition in the Board
was anything but amicabe. When the anonymous
communication signed taxpayer" published In
yesterdays HERALD, was returned from the Mayor
the other Commissioners, knowing that there were
compare them with the anonymous letter
ss wa, and NM mr.
was questioned on the subject, and his eXplana-
tons not having been deemed satisfactory, Mr.
Lalmbeer was called upon and questioned. The
latter gentleman informed the Board that he had
received the communications from Mr.. RUSSELL
and Immediately upon receiving 1t he sent his son
to ask Mr.. Russell TO call upon him. The latter
was out Of town and Mr.. Lambeer forwarded the
urging the appointment Of Mr. RHsse lew days
later Mr.. Lalmbeer called on the Mayor and per-
sonaily urged him to send the name OF Mr.. Russell
to the Board or Aldermen as a Police Commits
siOner When Mr.. Russell returned to town he
went to the house OF Mr. Laimbeer and asked II his
letter had been received He was answered in the
affirmative and informed OF the steps taken by Mr..
Laimbeer to secure his appointment. Mr.. Russell
thanked nun warmly anu expressed mis- opinion
that he would certainly owe his elevation to the
advocacy of ms friend To the Board Of Police Mr..
Russell gave the name OF Mr.. Dunn, who had
done some copying Tor MIN during the time he was
looking for the Police COmmissiOnership. Dunn
was sought; but he
DENIED ALL CONNECTION
with any of the letters. The Board next turned
its attenttOntO finding the signature OF Mr. Rus
sell at some of the banks with the intention of
comparing it with those OF his handwriting in
their possession Some checks were procured an i
they seemed to differ in no particular rom the
sioner was entrusted to MIR. Russell, and
%asea attempt e Vary 's sye Of the
handwriting IN those signed by MIR. Russell since
| the discovery OF the anonymous communications.
hands OF the Board, and OF course they are import
ant being helps in testing the soundness oil the
opinion Expressed by the expert and the Investi-
Commissioner Laimbeer was at Police Headquar-
ters yesterday shortly after the adjournment OF the
Board. Mr.. Charllck was in President Smiths
private room when he arrived and as soon as he
walked out of the apartment Mr.. Charllck accosted
him with
"wel, Lampeer, what do you think Of the letters
now"
u
he wrote every one OF them. Where's the HERALDs''
Tne HERALD was brought and Mr.. Laimbeer read
the anonymous letter, commenting upon it as he
did so.
soner Laimbeer. apart altogether from the feel
ing shown. that betray the authorship. friend Of
mine read both letters through to me to-day. and
am convinced they came IRON the same man.
told him so here IN the presence OF the Board, and
The following is copy of the letter sent to Mayor
Havemeyer by Mr.. Russell in explanation Of the
n Ia Police
THE LETTER TO TIE MAYOR;
~ e M e letters ssy % to
them is that have no knoyledge Of them never wrote
then or signed the one to Mr. Lambeer Ny first i'm.
Of the lettsr,tS MI ham6eer 1t Was evidently witten
nSi, So%sver; now recall any circumstance that
particular person whose friendship would induce
possessing friendship for me has been SO foolish as to
s a. Via
designed to accomplish lremAin yGurs resPessHaly
In an interview with a reporter Of the HERALD
Mr.. Russell said that the letter to Mr.. Laimbeer
was written at his order and from his copy by an
presence OF Mr.. Laimbeer to the Board Of Police.
AN INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR gAvEMEYER.
A reporter OF the HERALD found the venerable
Chief Magistrate OF the city engaged In signing
the checks Tor the members OF the Fire Depart
ment and, although very busy, he received his
''Mr. Mayor said the reporter, ''you have
no doubt read the letter. published in the
HERALD, alleged to have been written by Police
Commissioner Russell.
Mayor HAvEMEYER-I must confess that have
been so busy al the morning that have been I'M
The reporter produced q copy OF the HERALD
and read to His Honor the article in question, and
requested OF him copy OF the letter said 10 nave
been written to him by Mr. Russell.
Mayor HAvEMEYER after cogtating q whlle)
sald-Let me see. l did receive q letter. When
this matter became public and the comptroller had
shown me the epste signed Taxpayer" Mr.. Rus
sell called upon me, and upon being questioned
concerning 1t. denied knowing anything about II.
then requested him to write me letter, which
he did. fhis letter and the one received by the
Comptroller have been sent to Police Headquarters,
where, no doubt, they can be found now. Further
than that can say nothing. Tue contents OF the
letter to me, as near as can remember, were vim
dicaton OF himself against the alleged charges
against Mr.. Russell.
HORSE NOTES.