New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-16
COMMISSIONER ERHARDT's OPINION OF THE AP-
PoINTMENTs-CAPTAIN KEALY's CAREER.

COMMISSIONER ERHARDT's OPINION OF THE AP-
POINTMENTs-CAPTAIN KEALY's CAREER.
The rumor in circulation on Saturday that
the appointment OF police captains had been he
Of open discOrd in the Police Board, Is emphau-
caly denied by the Commissioners The whole story OF
the meeting at which it is alleged the dscord was ap
parent IS this Commissioner Erhardt went into the
board room without any intimaon that the vacancies
IN the list OF captains be filed. Accordingly ne
was taken by surprise by resolution fOrthe appoint
ment Of Sergeant Kealy captain Mr. EIhardt SAID on
Saturday that he had objections 10 the resolution IN
ITSELF nor TO officer mentioned in it, but that III good
faith and under the conviction that the Superintendent
knew more Of the qualifications Of the IA sergeants on
the force than did either all OF the Commission
ers he had offered amendment bis resolution ln-
structng the superintendent report worthy eandi-
dates for promotion, from whom the board would ne
able to select captains OF the right kind the act tnat
this resolution was not discussed but was quietly voted
down, impressed Mr. Erhardt with the feeling that ne
was not needed the meeting and he quietly LETT the
ROOM while the other Commissioners proceeded to I'LL
the vacancies.
Mr. Erhardt said he was glad to that the appoint
ments had apparently met with much favor In ponce
circles. He desired TO express objections TO any OF
the captains but 1t was ascerained, later ID the
dav that in view of his repeated failure TO have Ser
geant shuz brought trial. he Saturday preferred
charges against that official now a captain, on the
ground that he had obtained needless acquisitions TOT
the Police Boat Seneca and had thereby incurred undue
expense the city 1t currently reported thaI Gap
tain shuz's alleged offence consisted In providing the
Seneca with napkins tabecOths and china for the use
of excursion parties cost to the department OF over
$780,
Conspicuous among the recent appontees TO the rank
Of captain is Chief of Detectives James Keay Captain
Kealy has always been accustomed to hard work.
and his work has been fruitful OF results
His efficiency and popularity are well known
among both city officials ana private citizens, ana
his promotion has met with hearty approval
He was appointed patrOlman october 30 1868, and
assigned TO duty I'm the Eighth Precinct under captain
peCamp Less than two years OF patrol duty brought
him TO the attention Of his superior officers as man OF
unusual activity and sagactty, and during the years
1S65-7 and he perhaps the most sucCesslul CAL
detective in che city. He covered the Grand Cdha ana
Sullivan Street lines OF within the limits OF the
on those cars during his term Of service IN
that CAPACITY. In 1868 he was transferred
the Special Service Squad, and assigned 10 uuty
at the ST. Nicholas Hotel where he renamed Tor nearly
years. His career in this position was MARKED Dy
many successes, chief among which was Tue arrest OF
John Price who stole S54 900 from James Joy OF De-
troit then guest at the hotel; all the money was re-
covered His transfer i'm 1875 To the Central once was
at his own request. IL time OF changes III he ue
tective force, Captain Irving and many OF the
alleged use of their position for bdckmang purposes
During his first week at the Central once, DetectlVe
Kcay was recalled to the St. Nicholas Hotel Tor an hO
one afternoon, and presented with TESTIMONIAL
by his detective sBl and was soon made roundsinah
and placed I'm charge of the Detective Once This promo
ton was speedily followed by another TO the rank Oh SET
geant. On Friday last he was made captain,