New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-11
POLICE ISSUES.
COMMISSIONER SMITH EXPLAINS HIS
CHARGES

COMMISSIONER SMITH EXPLAINS HIS
CHARGES.
d, LIVELY MEETING OF rHR P0IlCH B0ARD-coh-
MISSIONER DIsBEcKER DENIES soME or GEN.
s>cru's srArrMRNps-HE DECLARES THAT HE
DID NOT OFFER his SUPPORT FOR PRIcR-A
ouEsrIoN OF yERAcITY AS TO SUGGESTED MA
NIrUIAuoN OF NEwsPArERs-wHY GEN. SMITH
RELIEVED THERE WAS A COMBINATION IN TIKI
noARp-THE FART TAKEN BY THE OTHER COM
wssIONYRs IN THE sPEECH-MAKING-OFFICIAL
VIEWS OF TIIR EFFECT OF THE AMENDED LAWS.
AZ the meeting Of the Police Board yesterday Com
missioner Disbecker made speech in answer to the
assertions Of Commissioner Smith last Saturday.
Ne explained why he said that he was ready to vote
o., Gen Smith ~ President of the Board and denied
that no had demanded price for his support. Com
missioner Smith. in reply. declared that the price
demanded by Mr.. Dsbecker was the use OF Gen.
Smiths influence to prevent certain Journals rom
attacking him. Commissioner Dsbecker asserted III
return that he could never have said anything OF
tia, sort He objected to Cen Smiths charge that
the police force is demoralized and said that SUCH
an assertion was nero demagogism. He claimed
that the force is improving, and that the Commits
soners are doing all in their power to make it bet
ter Commissioner Smith explained his reasons for
believing that there existed hostile combination
AGAINST him in the Board President Matsell and
Commissioner VOorhis also made remarks defending
the positions which they had taken.
In conversation yesterday President Matsel
Commissioner Voorhs Superintendent Walng, and
other officials expressed the belief that the discipline
and efficiency of the police force will be improved
By the new rules adopted 10y the Commissioners
THE DISCUSSION IN THE BOARD.
COMMISSIONERS DIsBECKERs REVIEW OF HIS COURSE
rSsrzN Mp r.
TURFs To HIM-DisBECKER'S DENIAL-REMARhs
or THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS.
All the Police Commissioners were present
nj the regular meeting yesterday. President Matse was
n the head Of the table calm aud silent having on MS
right Chief Hawey and on bis left capt klpp ke
cording Clerk the right hand side or the taDe near
the head sat voorhis, with Commissioner
Disbecker opposite side both Commissioners hav
ing before them large pile of documents At the eX-
IRENE lower OF tho table Commissioner w f. smith
sat alone out accustomed place. The only paper
before HIM old envelope, on the back of which he
occasionally made note with his pencil All the Com
nisoners were unusually quiet during the usual routine
OF opening the meeting. Before any other business
could he transacted Commissioners Disbecker said that
he rose to a question of privilege. No objection being
offered. lac spoke as follows;
Mr.. President: At meeting Of the Board on Friday
last certain amendments the Rules and Regulations OF
the have been reported from the .O',nt
Rules and Discipline but owing TO the iaGt ti
make clear copy OF the amendments. report OF 9He
,a rep1 of Friday that Wa about to leave the city
for the purpose Of taking few days vacation. for the
frst time since my connection with the Department aud
before leaving desired to place myself clearly record
in favor OF the amendments To the rules made In Com
mtee Not word OF comment or reply was then made
by any OF this Board observe by tue papers OF
Sunday that whom the amendments were reported Oh
Saturday morning 3onlmlsslohcr "n S I'M. Is re-
ported have Ut cred the following lie 1id NOT nfie
warned MIN against this combination ana rag eDdeaV-
ored To explain him the hOpeessness OF attempting
the reforms which he had underworld 10 introduce Mr
DsDeckcT had further declared that ne woeu nko Tue
same statement the full Board meeting Mt l'lS-
aid in makua smith President of the Board. posi-
ton to which ne did not aspire Dsbeckers price was
and on ms declining Dsbeoker went 70 Mr. 'oorhis'7
pocket already occupied ny Mr. Matseil"
Commissioner smith l discussed with him frankly amt
freely the stat;s OF the Department. It's needs and
Gurements ana many the matters that required
form and change gave him my views freely, not hes
itatIng say That te confident that certain c.ahges
which he proposed could not be carried out owing 10 the
difference OF views entertained by Commissioners Mat
sell and NOOrhis This opinion was Dased on my own eA
PeTienoe IN TINS boaIa n.vS hau M ya ~ Ms
ures which have heretofore proposed and deemed for
the benefit Department have been offered and de
feated. but assured Commissioner smith tt't 1 wa
willing a. have always been. 70 cooperate WIN nm Ia
any way promote the efficiency and discipline OF tnc
pojce force smith Is reported as having
stated that offered to aid IN making INN President OF
this BOsrd. position 10 which no does not aSprc nut
that nv price though small was too lSh Tor him u
close the bargain This statement commissioner smith
out a. have left u;,saL at least until could pres
III the Board.
Comm -sloner Disbecker then turned directly to Com
missioner smith and said. Did offer 10 make you Pres
tdent position which you do not ssiret What price
did askl" Commissioner smith replied. " Go on vii
answer you when you are done COMMISSIONER De-
becker proceeded As follows:
rdesire my colleagues and The public to know what
you hal your power 10 give IN exchange Tor my max
ing yUu President In the later conversations Oh
this subject with his Honor the Mayor asoened 10 his
desires on the same conditions made 70 To M % @
MI Maiseil from tie PFesdcncy tliat although have
had frequent r. differ with Mr. Matse on very
material points. yet HAD never seen anything III his
conduct which impaired my confidence IN his desire to
the Office O President become vacant would be willing
10 const Of the three votes necessary 10 elect
by voting da not recognize III Com
missioner smith any superiority over his cciieaglo+
These tae coud tons thir my price
l. too have been warned-warnei. too, in most EN-
phatic tetlnS-tAat Gen. smith h2d always quMfcIed
with every one with be has come official
tact and that wOnid md that he would either rule OF
ruin have pad no attention to these warnings. hut
have gone on Independently doing duty always pre-
pared meet Commissioner smith nail way aye more
Than half way IN proper measures Nc n 10 propose
have eudeavOrod not 10 be Oud0ne III courtesy ana
proper regard the opinions OF my colleagues have
never rudeY and Without apology .cl INC room Wne ND
associates discussing Important Measures OF me
Department. nor have | over lmpertnenty arrdISned
any Of my colleagues IN gross personalities nave Do,h
ouvoted IN t'lls Board ! nave INTRODUCED i measures
winch amended or defeated nut ma not ny INTO
passion and ding mud at my .s7ocd'ts. ,,,
Commissioner smiths amcninf ntS 70 me rules nave
been the only measures whlch ne mas pfopVscd
since his connection with this Department As INST IN
tOduced they crude and incJnSruous as 10 he
fusion in the Department. The other members OF the
Board amended them carefully. and when majority OF
tle Board thought then proper and right they were
edopd The prcticed eyes aud long experience OF the
officers OF tine force dlscOY-
additional defects aud suggested r0mcdies "hef.
upon The further amended ana thins reported
g. The Board No wonder Commissioner SGllth ull not
know his bantling There was n0hln2 ieit Oh IT, IL
A. needles bee to enter into details Any person Of
Intelligence can know the Of what say by com
pairing the amendments originally introduced ny tOi-
missioner smith with those passed y the Board last sat
urday. Ii certainly proper IN nn 10 ulsaNo" ther
paternity. for they are IN truth not his. -
And next We hear OF the utter decentralization OF the
a rtlOn by