Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-21
THEEIFLOsI0N IN THE POLICE BOARD
T n e AUSES h.E.REOF.
MIR. GATCHEI. RESIGNS.
Some SPICY CORRESPONDENCE.
WHAT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER BRYAN SAYS.

Inv announcement III yesterday STAR that
the four associates of Commissioner Gatchel
III the Police Board had rendered their reSig-
natl0nS, not to be Withdrawn unless Mr..
Iatcnel was removed, created something of
SENSATION IN the community. though the fact
tfn. mas pee known to many for some time past
mem6ers OF the board. This took rise at the
tlme Mr.. Gatchel was president of the board,
anu II IS alleged grew out of acts of his in con
nectl0n with certain movements in the raids
upon gambling houses. which his associates
regarded as indiscreet and calculated to bring
fnat 4oay INTO disrepnte, If not in litigation.
rom il!ne to time in relation to fitting and
lurhlShlng OF the precinct station houses, ap-
prOVai OF certain licenses. &c, have added TO
thls dlsahectiOn, and the members concluded
ina ne was not safe associate
Mr. Br!tton was so much dissatisfied, it is
INA. as iong ago as July last he sent his
hers agreeing to do likewise that Mr.. .Gatchcl
learnlng the feeling which existed, and not de-
Slflngt TO go out under fire, prevailed on Mr..
iBllt.on To withdraw his resignation, promS-
ing 10 resign his place as president of the
Doard at The next meeting, and resign his
piace as commissioner within a month after
matters mad become quiet. and the newspa-
agreed TO, and his resignation as president
was made as promised, but his withdrawal
from the board did not follow. Some four or
nVe months elapsed, and it is stated that
note was sent by his associates reminding him
OF his promise, and asking what he intended
to To- %41: To- IL is also said that at the next meeting
ed his mind in relation to his promise to re
sign, and had concluded to remain
Other events in the meantime transpred
days since resulted in delegation of citizens
waiting on the President and placing before
nm their objections TO his remaining longer
en- the ponce board. One these charges was
that he had used his Office for his personal
beneht, and that through Mr.. F. H. smith, his
partner IN the insurance business, he had
made overtures to Captain II. w. Tyler. a well
known insurance agent. to transfer this insur-
ance business to his firm, in consideration of
Which Captain Tyler should receive the ap.
polntment of major and superintendent, the Of
Nee naVlhg become vacant by the resignation of
me following IS a copy of the certificate re
Gently circulated in connection with a memo.
rial for the removal of Mr.. Gatchel:
:! hereby certify that the newspaper article
Ruhbiished IN the Washington Sunday Hernid of
February 10th (inst.), hereto attached. is to my
Of Messrs Presbrey and Smith to get nv ii. insnP
anee f; BUSINESS for influencing my election to the
rest of my know ledge and belief the whole artci,.
Is true, So Tar as it purports to state facts.
Captain U. S. S: Army. M y'keh keiired.
WAslliN"roN, ID. c., February Is, 1873.
Kenorand,,ln
~ Wnen TINS corrupt proposition was first made to
to account for it: but when thought of the great
agitation OF the subject of temperance, and the
CoHSpltuouS POSITION OI the parties VINO made the
proposition, in the cause of temperance and re-
lglon, and the direct bearings of the Office of SUI
that Hess Spo6 of s
moral grounds Messrs. Presbrey and Smith had
@ to in 'Rs
Tupted or trade in matters OF 'iafuence," o." with a
x1eW 1 @ Ef more surely to my fitness
ieSrlts Ci Ihsir efforts l naturally presumed that
' enh he Isss Gos fspSrf snd
50 earnestly that he was not prepured TO cote for
a partner of Mr.. Gatcheii'S in the insurance
sand was iu real earnest about getting my
II sufance business, as he subsequently acknOW-
uued, and now believe si that Gatchei Was at
IN tn. belief of his completely in this scheme by
LEW t vac, ha m me- ssnt 6,eSs % rropest9ns 70 me
day and Thursday that were calculated to bring
MN and me together personal y, but believing him
unScrupulous in the extreme. had determined not
TO TO meet him under any circumstances except in
been in the habit Of transacfng business wit With HINT NJ.
Gatchei was suspicious of his motive and de-
clned his business proposition. am satisfied he
tt Hould haye favored my election without ertra
& 6H' agIesa to tnrn my INSURANCE business over to
washington. DC, February 10th. 1878.
MR. GATCHEL TO THE PRESIDENT.
having been called upon by District Conn-
RESIGNATION
would he acceptable, Mr.. Gatchel on Monday
last sent the following to the Presidents
IT. ,,o "AshiSGToN' bslii D. C., March 20 1873
mad win Mr Bryan, one OF your Commission
ers Saturday last, l am led to believe that it
would relieve you OF much embarrassment
II ! should tender to you my resignation as
sents your views, my resignation will be i'm
mediately rendered.
Having heretofore faithfully performed my
no flH-.
just cause for my removal. | know of no in
huence against me unless it emanates from
the gambling and liquor interests I have
stood firm against the encrOachments of these
vices, and in doing so felt confident | had ia
Horable support. The records OF the hoard
acW corrotorate this statement and .further
Fe,uSed to sacrifice princi1ae to poticy.
Please advise me direct whether or not the
statement OF Mr.. Bryan correctly represents
your wishes.
Very respectfully your ob't servant,
IHEO. +. GATCHEL.
THE PRESIDENT TO MR.. GATCHEL.
To the above the President replied:
EXECUTIyE MANSION, March Goth, 1873.
siderate note, and to say that your resignation
will, as you suggest relieve me from embar-
rassment Sincerely, Il. b. HAYES
Mr. I. +. Gdtchet.
MR. GATCHEL RESIGNS
Police Commissioner Theodore f. Gatchel
today in person rendered the following to the
President.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. March 2lst, 1878.
TIE PreSident:-At your request, / herewith
tender my resignation as a Metropolitan Po
lice Commissioner. lay down trust which
your honOred predecessor confided to me with
as clear conscience as when assumed IT.
While have been III a hopeless minority on
the board. l am confident that when YOU bet
ter understand the influences which have long
sought my removal you will acknowledge al
least that have been in the right II certain
gamblers saloons are open in Washing ngtOn To.
day, 1t is because the president of the hoard
has no sympathy, with movement to
views to the board last fail, and l have have
since had no reason to change them.
Ii saloons that have repeatedly violated the
laws by selling liquor on the Sabbath have
received renewal of their licenses which
under The regulations of the board, should
have been denied, then it is because the ma.
joriiy of the board have been too weak to re
fuse them. ! am conscious of having incurred
the displeasure and enmity of the friends of
the Theater Comique, in my opposition to A
renewal of a liquor license there. Under the
most careful restrictions, such place of re-
sort is injurious TO public morals, but when
connected with the sale OF liquor is a hot-bed
of vice. In my opposition to a renewal of this
license have incurred the personal displeaS.
ure OF two OF my colleagues, who had commit
ted themselves to vote for ii. have ALWAYS
been plain spoken on these subjects, and may
have distaStefully expressed myself
have but one regret to express in nv re-
tirement from the board, and that is thai Won