The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-06
THAT CONFERENCE.
Mayor Johnston and the Police
Board on s.GaDgwayS."


Board on s.GaDgwayS."
An announcement was made in the
morning papers that conference would
be held at 10 O'Clock, at the office OF the
Superintendent of Police, between the
Police Commissioners and Mayor john
ston and Sheriff Springmeier, in refer
ence to an order that had been issued by
the commissioners to protect the gang
way at the polls on election day.
The meeting originated from the fol-
lowing communication, which Mayor
Johnston received yesterday:
"CINCINNATI, o., Nov. ), 1876.
"Hon. G. w. c. Johnston, Mayor:
DEAR SIR-lh5 BOard vi Police Com
miss oners, in an earnest desire to main
tain the rights of legal voters, and pre-
serve the peace OF the city at the ap-
preaching election, adopted the pream-
ble and resolutions at its meeting on
the 81 inst, an1 which have been pub
lished in the newspapers.
"rhe statement appears in the public
press that you will take issue with the
Board OF Police commissioners upon its
action in that matter. Tnis statement,
uncontradicted by you, is calculated,
as you will promptly recoyniz ;, to en-
courage the Glsoiuoliy anu III y posi-
bly, lead to trouble. Feeling assured
that you will unite with tnis Board
| in every effort to maintain order
and preserve the peace Of the city,
we respect uliy ask that you meet with
this Board aC the office OF the SuperiE-
tendent of Police, on Monday, the 9th
inst, at ~ o'clock A. NJ, that we may
haYG 4 fall and free conference, and
agree upon such course Of action as
snail maintain order and preserve the
fair lame oi our city.
IL am instructed by the Board to make
this communication to your Honor.
VERY respectfully,
IS. f. CovINaToN,
"President Board OF Police ConPrs."
Mr.. CoYingtDn, Chairman of the Com
mission, stated that he mad seen no.
tice that the Mayor was going to take
issue with the Board and il Was neces-
sary that the utmost harmony should eX-
ist between all the various departments
OF the city.
Mayor Johnston then read the order
that emanated from the Police Board,
and said that he regretted the langua ge
as stated, that the judges OF election
should be treated as diSorderly persons
and arrested as such.
He argued tnat this was interfering
with the rights OF the people in not per-
hitting them TO decide The matter. 1t
was also disresuectul to members of
Council to order their arrest, us they, in
his oplnlou, had absolute. control OF the
polIs on election day, and that police III
reference with the civil authorities
would produce bad feeling.
There having been no precedent ever
set il was reflection on the good judg-
menL of the people and the JUICES OF
EIection To say tnat the Commissioners
shouI1 make laws and eniorce them
arbitrarily against the legally author
iz ID bndv. which is the CITY Council.
AIR. carson. in reply to His Honor.
stated that there was no intention on the
mart of the Board to make any law or in
Iartere in auy manner with tue civil au-
ihnrities. and he for one WIS willing TO
strike orIt th / norton relating to the
arrest OF judges, aud should they (tne
Judges obIecC to the erection Of barri-
cades or Sangways. he was willing to
oIhera to theiT desires,
Mr. uoran. member of Council from
tho Nineteenth Ward. rave description
of his ward stating tuat he was willing
IN abide by The decision of the Deople.
hnt under no circumstances would he
nermit his polls to be blockaded by the
nolice or the commissioners.
The conference was entirely harmo.
hious, and the Mayor was positive that
the police would be transcending their
authority and would be liable to SUIT on