National Republican., 1877-08-04
CHANGES IN THE POLICE BOARD.
MR. BRITTOS RESIGNS AND THE LIQUOR MEN
COME FORWARD WITH A CANDIDATE.

Mr.. BRrrroS RESIGNS AND THE LIQUOR MEN
CONE FORWARD WITH A CANDIDATE.
When q delegation composed Of Messrs. W.
II. Clagett, W. B. Reed, q. W. Cochrane and j.
l.. Barbour called on the President Thursday
to urge the appointment Of Peter F. Bacon as
member Of the Police Board they were sur
priscd to find that the President had In hand
the resignation Of Police Commissioner BIittou,
dated July 30. 1t is understood that the COM
mittee intended 10 urge the removal Of Com
missioner Gstclel, In order TO make room for
Gen. Bacon. They discovered that there was
no need for recommending any removal. The
President suggested that they draw up a paper,
properly presenting their recommendations for
consideration. The paper urging the appoint
ment Of Gen. Bacon was yesterday submitted.
Gen. Bacon Is looked upon rs the represen-
tative Of the liquor dealers. He Is himself
engaged In the liquor traffic, and most Of the
men who are urging his appointment are
liquor dealers. The present board, in Its war
upon whisky, has arrayed the Wholesale
liquor men against it. They do not choose to
make open warfare, but propose to capture
the board by placing q representative upon it.
The proprictors of whisky shops will not be
put to such great trouble to procure licenses.
Gen. Bacon has served in this capacity before
and Is u handy man to be brought forward in
the present emergency. Gen. Bacon was one
Of the members of the old board removed by
President Grant for showing partiality to the
detectives when under investigation, and a
disp, sition to shirk the duty Of bringing them
to justice.
Ex-Governor A. r. Shepherd in person ap-
piled To President Grant to have Gen Bacon
reinstated, but President Grant refused to do
1t. That is what caused the falling out be-
tween Gen. Grant and Shepherd. Bacon is
closely identified with all Of the interests of
the liquor men, and the very fact that from
them comes his chief support should be preju-
dicial 10 his appointment. The reasons that
caused Mr.. Britton to resign are ostensibly
| that his duties as police commissioner made
too great demand upon his time. To per-
son who has watched the operations of the
board 1t Is clear that there were other rea.
| sons.
Lately there has been n division in the
board, and resolution for reorganization, FOL
the purpose of dethroning Gatchel, was offered
IN secret session about two weeks ago. 1t !,
pretty well understood that Mcssrs. Britt0n and
Somerville supported the resolution. 1t wa,
laid on the table, and Mr.. Gatohel and hi.
other two colleagues forming a majority, hav,
been able to keep 1t on the table ever since
There have been other instances where Mr.
BrittOn aud Nj. Gatchel have clashed, and Il
is much more agreeable to Mr.. Brtton to leav,
the board than to remain while 1t Is organized
as IL is at present.
Mr. Herr has spoken Of resigning severa
times, on the round that the board takes NJ
too much Of his time. Mr.. Herr Is an ad.
mireI and supporter Of Gatchcl and it Is prob
able that the latter will cndeayor to influence
him not 10 leave, In case he does retire, severa
names, all Of men engaged in the liquor traffic
have already been mentioned to fill the va
cancy. The liquor men seem determined Il
overthrow the board and establish a new reigI
under the banner Of King Alcohol.