National Republican., 1878-07-03
THE LATE POLICE DOARD.
Some Of Their Last OHiciai Acts-Thiues
That Look bad.

Strange stories are In circulation concerning
the recent actions Of the late Board Of Police
Commissioners at their last meeting, on last
Saturday afternoon, which do not reflect either
honor or credit upon that defunct organizes
tion. When the board first met three mem.
bers only wero In attendance, and II was
suggested that for various reasons the
business could not be settled up at that
time and that an adjournment be taken
until the subsequent Tuesday; but
later this course was deemed impolitic,
and they decided to go on with the winding.
up business at that time. When the gcneros.
ity manifested comes TO be looked at aud COM
pared with the previous statements emauating
from the board of the shortness Of funds and
inability to complete the complement Of po-
licemen due the force on that account, to-
rethcr with other stringoncics caused by the
inadequacy Of the appropriation to ill out the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1875 1t becomes
difficult to reconcile them with recent doings
and explain away the Inconsistencies.
Among some Of the doings last Saturday was
the appropriating Of a sum OF money from the
police benevolent fund to pay the United States
Government for missing rcvolvers from a lot
that had been loaned the police force, and
which, II Is stated, were taken recently by an
employee of the board. Not long since they
other purpose, but the question then being
raised AS to their right to divert it from the
legitimate purpose for which II was created.
the matter was referred to the attorney Of the
board for an opinion on the subject and he
presented an opinion to the effect that they
weru without power to handle or use the money
for other purposes than that for which it was
raised.
In the dying moments Of the board they be.
came blind TO the existence of this opinion
and voted away the fund with amazing gencr-
osity.
There Is a funny story told, too about
the mcandcrinzs Of some Of these missing pis.
tolls the police fund pays for. 1t is said that not
oil OF them were stolen, but that one succeeded
in finding its way into the possession of the
president Of the board, and now that the po.
liccmcn have paid for 1t, probably II will come
| to light aud be exhibited aud prized rs choice
gift from some adrnirng "cop."
Mr.. George X. Herrick at one time held the
position OF proporty-clerk, and while acting in
that capacity a number Of articles and money
were stolen from his custody. The board did
not make an Appropriation to relieve him, but
| on the contrary he was held personally re-
| sronSiblc, compelled TO aud did make good the
| loss. subsequently the board held the view
\ that prOpcrty.clerk was not requisite, and
recommended Congress to abolish the ohice
asserting that the duties could be consolidated
!
money saved and applied to other service In
| the department.
| About 5000 was appropriated for new
furniture, carpets, &C., and already the carpets
are being put down. II Is rather a novel thing to
see carpets on the floor at Police Headquarters
in summer. Hitherto mating has been In use,
and proved acceptable in every respect. When
the old and efficient secretary, Mr.. Lazeuby,
was depOaed, he was granted one months leave
of absence with pay, while Major Curtis came
in aud performed the work, 1t being an offer
from tho latter gentleman. On..this eventful
Saturday the Commissioners paid Major Curtis
for this months services or, in other words, paid
both secretaries for tue same month. At that
memorable meeting last Saturday, the board
about to become extinct concluded they would
no longer require n secretary, unless 1t were q
dead one, who departed his official life in their
| company, so Major Curtis, who had occupied
| that station, resigned. He was not TO depart
unrewardCd, however, for they Immediately
elected him property-clerk the Office they
wanted abolished, and which they admitted to
| Congress was only sinccure position.
Ii remains TO be seen whether or not the
| District Commissioners will indOTso this ac.
| tion.
Shortly after the present District Commits.
sioners qualified, they temporarily turned over
the entire control Of the police force to Major
Morgan. That gentleman yesterday desig.
mated three persons to act as a trial board, TO
hear and act on charges preferred against
members of the force. The trio selected were
! Captain Brock, Lieutenant Vernon, and Major
Curtis, the prOpcrtyc clerk. The two first
named are members Of the force and the other
is not. The law creating the police force pre-.
scribcd how the men should be tried, but IN IL
no clause can be found authorizing or permit.
ting the property-clerk to act as a member of
tho court. When the force WAS turned over to
| the District Commissioners the law remained
IN operation, but the power exercised by the
Police Commissioners was transferred to the
former; and II is doubtful IL 1t can be dele
gated to the extent Of authorizing subordi.
nate to create II tribunal to hear and act upon
cases aud sit in Judgment upon men.
| Fire Works.