The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-11
fHEPOLICE PUZZLE
Meeting Of the Board Of Po-
lice Commissioners.
DISBECKER'S IS PLEA.
General Smiths RCtOrt on His COnfrereS in the
Unhappy Family.


Hatsells ROOM to hold business meeting and to finish
up the little uppleasantness'of last Saturday President
Matsel sat the top Of the table and Commissioner
Smith threw himself carelessly into seat at the bot
tom. Voorhis and Dsbecker on either side, moved up
Matsell and with numerous papers and en-
velopes IN front of them Smith seemed isolated and
ms he had neither pens, ink paper he ap.
peared to he mere spectator of the
proceedings He is high shouldered square
set man. of about fifty, with silver gray
hair scantity covering the top OF his head long red
dish mustache and imperial of the military cut full
sangune complexioned face and bearing decidedly in
dependent few Of the Central Office officials stood in
The doorway and half dozen reporters the Com
missioners had other audience Matsell seated in
hs armchair behind his gold mounted glasses awaited
the anticipated fracas Of the day with becoming dig
NIFTY and forttude, After the minutes had been read
Commissioner Dsbecker unfolded a long document,
which he appraised the Board Of his intention
10 read to question of privilege. Dis
becker is the juvenile member of the Board but
not the least ambitious The developments
oil the day showed that he had serious
thoughts Of being President He is short stout young
man with black side whiskers, and bright eyes that
twinkle with present consciousness of vast self
Importance He is glib and pert and pushing talks fast
and seems to possess sufficient abundance OF cheek"
70 make his living of the Police Board. He was
nominated to the position OF Police Commissioner by
the late Mayor Havemeyer and is only another instance
Of the strangely infatuated genius Of the venerable de-
ceased for maapropos selections Gil public situations
Mr. Disbecker acclaimed his written defence while sit
ting down He pale and agtated, but his voice
faltered and he ratified his copy like any
well trained schooboy. Smith Whitfield away at
the end of an envelope and smiled perceptiby at the
assumed earnestness Of the reader Mr. Matse smiled
manly indifference. The reporters laughed by turns at
the high plane of viruous remonstrance assumed by
Disbeeker, but there gansayng the fact that Dis
becker made good address 1t firmly and clearly
spoken and will bear reading, for which reason it is
thought worth while to give it here in full that the
entire situation may be properly understood
DIsBECKERs Defence.
Commissioner Disbecker said :--"At a meeting OF the
Board Of Friday last amendments to the rules
and regulations of the Board to have been re-
ported from the Committee Rules Discipline but
owing to the fact that the clerk Of said
committee had had sufficient time TO make
3 clean copy Of the amendments, report OF
the postponed to Saturday morning l stated
In the meeting of Friday that about leave the
city for the purpose of taking few days recreation
for the first time since my connection this depart
ment and before leaving desired clearly place my
self record in favor of the amendments rules
made in committee. Not word Of comment or reply
was then made by any member Of this Board l OBJ
serve by the papers Of Sunday that when the amend
ments reported Saturday morning Commits
William f. Smith is reported to have the
folowing''He did not hesitate to give his authority
Mr. Disbecker had emphatcally warned him against this
combination and had endeavored explain 10 him the
bopeessness of attempting the reforms which he had
endeavored to introduce Mr. Dsbecker had further
declared that he would make the statement n the
full Board meeting. Mr. Disbecker, further pursuit
nfar .iH
Smith President of the Board position which no
did not aspire. Disbecker's price small yet
Was too high for him TO close the bargain, and has
declining Disbecker went TO Mr. yoorhis pocket al
ready occupied by Mr.. Matsell"
A PAUsk
Hore Mr. Disbecker paused, his face livid with emo
tson and asked Commissioner Smith in dramatic tone
OF that would be very ludicTous II the prevailing
seriousness had been Of different character, "What
price sir, did ask p''
Commissioner Smith who seemed from the very be-
ginning to exhibit as little interest in the proceedings as
in the remote moon, replied with smile go on,
I'll you by and by, when you get through
The cooness of smith as II he we're attending the ar
rangements for clambake and just said to himself Let
anybody that peases take the management very
refreshing The contrast between the pose OF Smith
and the perturbation Of Disbecker was most amusing
feature; but there better still coming.
Disbecker's sraelitish eyes glanced harmless Gre
and Smith looked with expression Of plying Con
tempt He is an old soldier, and knows that furious
words break bones. Smith, in fact, perfect
study He acted in his panomme as if he deemed the
assembled wisdom a concave of plebeian jaCkasses,
who by the accidents of politics. were thrown into po-
sitions they were no more capable of filing properly
than many country men from the benghted region OF
Delaware county. Disbecker, still pale and
Agitated but maintaining strong command
his voice, proceeded TO say:-In one Of
my conversations with Commissioner Smith .discussed
with him frankly and freely the Of the depart
ment, its needs and requirements and many OF the
matters that required reform and change. gave him
my views freely not hestating to say that felt
nden that certain changes which nc proposed could
be carried out owing To the difference OF views
tanned by Commissioners Matsell and Voorhis- This
opinion was based ON my own experience in this
Commissioners hatse and Voorhs Measures which
have heretofore proposed and deemed for the benefit
Of the department have been offered and deieated but
ASSURE Commissioner smith that / was willing, as l
have always BEEN to cooperate with him any way to
promote the efficiency and discipline the police force
Commissioner Smith is reported rs having stated that
offered to aid in making him President Of this Board,
position 70 which he does not aspire, but that my
price though SMALL too high for him TO close the
bargain. This statement Commissioner smith ought
10 have left unsd, al least until could be present in
the Board. Did offer TO make you President posi-
lion TO which you do not aspire What price did ask
desire my colleagues and the public TO know what you
had II IN your power 20 give in exchange for my making
you President In one Of the later conversations
this subject with HIS Honor the Mayor assented TO his
desires the conditions made Comm nssioner
Smith, and they were that | would not vote to turn
out Mr.. Matsen from the Presidency; that,
although have had frequent occasions
diier with Mr.. Aatsell on very material points, yet
had anything In has conduct which impaired
my confidence in his desire promote usefulness of
the department.; that should the Office Of President
come vacant would be willing to constitute one of The
three votes necessary elect Commissioner SMITH but
wished it " be distinctly understood that by so
voting did not recognize 10 Commissioner Smith any
superiority has colleagues These the condi-
lions; this my price.
l. too have been warned-warned too in most
emphatic terms that General smith had always quar-
relied with every with whom he has come oncai
contact and that would find that be would either rule
or ruin. have paid no attention TO these warnings
buI gone independently doing my duty, always
prepared meet Commissioner smith halfway, aye,
more than half way, in any proper measure he had 70
propose have endeavored not 10 be outdone in cour
tesy and proper regard for the opinions OF nay col
leagues ! have rudey aud without apology lett
the room while my associates were discussing import
ant measures Of the department. nor have ever
mpertinentiy arraigned any Of my colleagues IN gross
personalities have been outvoted IN this Board
have introduced measures winch we're amended or de
feated but did ny into passion and ding mud at
my associates.
Commissioner Smiths amendments to the rules have
been about the only measures which he has proposed
since ms connection with this departments As hst IN
PRODUCED they we're so crude and ncougrous as 70 be