The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-25
Commissioner Morrison Describes His
Precinct as Reeking with Vice.
AND DEMANDS HIS TRANSFER
Messrs. French and Wheeler Vote Nay in the
Absence of Specific Charges.


Board of Police Commissioners held at the Head
quarters in Mulberry street yesterday. Commits
sioner Morrison took the aggressive throughout the
meeting. and while Mr.. Wheeler preserved an almost
unbroken silence Mr. French did battle galantly on
the republican side. After the routine business OF
the Board had been disposed Of Commissioners Nor
rison threw frebrand into the deliberations by in
Producing the following resolution
Resolved That Captain Alexander s. Williams be and Is
hereby transferred from tho command OF the Twenty
to s OF The from he Command Of
tho ThirtyGrst to that of the Twenty ninth precinct
Commissioner Wheeler. who had remained DOR
mant up to this moment. suddenly became gal
vanized into official activity. He exclaimed. al move
that the resolution be laid over
Commissioner French was about giving utterance
to his opinion when Commissioner MacLean. who
presided, ntimated that there was occasion for
display Of oratory. the motion presented square
and could be disposed of without the usual in
dulgence in parliamentary debate whereupon Mr..
French subsidized with a frown. and vote upon the
amendment to the resolution was called, which re-
suited rs Observation-Disclosures Morrison and
MacLean voted in favor Of and Commissioners
French and Wheeler against the motion.
MoRRIsoN's MOTIVES.
This brought Mr.. Morrison to his feet He said:-
81 have voted against the amendment because be-
eve that under all the circumstances it is necessary
that the Board take immediate action in the case of
Captain Williams. do not think it would be wise
to lay the matter at the present time In this
connection would like to say that in introducing
the name of Captain lyman believe that he is the
most competent officer to take the place and do
strict justice to the precinct vacated by Captain
Williams. But If any objection be offered to Captain
lyman am free to say that am not so particula
on that point. my principal object being
to have some competent officer appointed
Captain Williams successor. I would also
like to say in this particular that there is
nothing of a political character intended in the in
PRODUCTION of this resolution. 1 have simply come
TO the conclusion from reliable information, that
Captain Williams is Objectionable oiiciai, and
that he does not discharge with fidelity the duties
demanded of him by this Board In saying this
do not wish to be understood as prejudging any
pending charges against that Official but the convic
ton has become rooted in the public mind that he
has some mysterious influence this Board, and
wish, by my voice and vote. to do full justice to
Captain Williams. but at the same time do
I understand that Captain Williams is a
stanch. partisan republican. To that side of
possible divest this question of its political char
acter. but at the same time will not favor the
proposition that because Captain Williams is re-
publican. and is upheld in his official capacity by
republican politicians. that he therefore licensed
to take the law into his own hands and constitute
himself judge and jury in dispos,ng of supposed re-
fractory persons would even go far, in order
to- strip this question Of all political prejudice, in
favoring the appointment OF q captain to take the
place of Williams who would be more in afhliation
with the republican party than Captain lyman is 1
would also state that it is in view OF the present
awless condition OF the Twenty ninth precinct that
move for the transfer OF Captain Williams and
not on political prejudiced grounds. or to prove
any submission to the clainor Of the public or tho
structures OF the press. am. however. convinced.
in view OF the general ineficiency of the police in
the Twenty-ninth precinct. that Captain Williams
transfer is advisable.
NEEDS RECONSTRUCTION.
'Speaking for myself" continued Mr.. Morrison,
81 have only been IL member OF this Board about
two months. but during that time 1 have devoted
firln nj
precincts. and am free to say, u result my OK
perencc and observation. that do not know OF u
precinct in the city which requires reconstruction
and reformation and change of administration so
much as Captain Williams. Properly considered
the precinct is the home OF intelligence and wealth.
and yet 1T Is overrun by vice and crime OF every
conceivable form. 1t is even openly claimed that
is encouraged and protected by captain Williams
and his official subordinates and this crying evil
alse reflects upon the members OF this Board, who
charged with unfolding Captain Williams
and encouraging him in his protection of we'll
known criminals who place ut defiance the ordi-
nances OF this department and the statutes OF tho
State framed and designed for the suppression OF
such class OF evil Disposed persons. 1t is openly
alleged that the Twenty-ninth precinct Is the hot
bed OF gamblers and other oisreputable persons
Whether such an allegation is strictly not
not prepared to state. but for protracted
period there have been constant complaints received
by this Board from reputable citizens rejecting
upon the administration of the Twenty ninth pre-
cinct. do not mean to say that Captain Williams
does not possess some administrative qualities %
police captain and that he is not possessed of Ger
tain degree of official sincerity. In respects
there are few captains better qualified
command. but. with all these conceded
that there are elements in his nature
which render him particularly disqualified from
continuing in the command of that precinct. do
not SO tar rs to main tain that he is directly and
exclusively responsible for tho increase OF crime
and lawlessness in that precinct. do / affirm
that he is solely to blame for that meancst sort of
crime and iawlessness which is protected and fos-
tered i'll official circles for considerations
but saying the most that can be said in his favor
still claim that has seiulness public officer Is
at an end IN the Iwenty.ninth precinct Also adj
that his friends claim for him of being a Jealous
official IL occasionally guilty of bad judgment.
still submit that his want of the suppress
sion of the vicious element in the precinct Is good
and sufficient reason for the change which propose
TO make.
MIR. FRENCH REPLIES
Mr.. French said in reply IL have listened atten-
lively to the remarks of my colleague. but utterly
fail to find any specific direct charge Of derelic
ton OF duty or ineficency preferred against Captain
Williams. don't know and can't say what
motives there may be behind these allegations. We
have heard over and over again OF the supposed in
Huence which Captain Williams is said 10 exert over
the republican members of this Board. That is
almost too silly to answer. am not In favor of
transferring him on rumors Before degrading Cap
tain Williams should first require to be shown
instance In which he has been dcrclict in the dis
charge OF his duty and should also like to make tho
acquaintance OF captain who Is better qualified to
fill his position. So far az atn concerned want
something moro than public clamor. some-
thing more than newspaper attacks, to guide
mo and to Justify me in forming opinion adverse
to Captain Williams. As member of this Board
merely say tnis much Ill his favor--ot lis try him
upon proper. legal evidence. and IL he is proved
guilty OF any breach OF official trust lot us remove
MIN. Under any other circumstances / will not
vote Tor his repoval In OF the fact that there
IN now charge pending against him of a serious
nature do not think IL proper or decent that
should tako any hasty or il.advsed action which
might tend TO prejudice or prejudice his case"
Mr.. Morrison then said :--'Permit me TO say that
see no prcjudgment in the case OF tptain Williams
by this Board taking the proposed action OF rcmov-
ing that official to another precinct experiment
IL You viii, to ascertain IL cannot find moro ei-
cent officer to administer the duties of that precinct
do not wish TO be understood as making personal
war on Captain Williams or in representing that he
is TO be condemned as guilty OF maladnini
but do never; hclcss maintain that the Twenty ninth
precinct, with Its numerous blots upoh decent
society, is disgrace to tho police force of tho
city OF Nav YORK. l do hold that tho al
ministraton of Captain Williams lacks the
aualites of keepinq In nrnner nhnck or