The New York herald., 1879-08-31
THE NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS.

COMMISSIONERS SMITH, WHEELER, NICHOLS AND
FRENCH HOLD A JOLLY REUNION AT THE
AsToR HousE-THE LATEST POLITICAL SEN
sATIoN.
Precisely at fifteen minutes past two O'Clock yes
teray afternoon the head waiter in the Astor
threw wide open tho doors of the upper restaurant
and with betting ceremony escorted military gen.
tleman to a conspicuous seat the vesey street
window. As the gentleman removed his soft felt hat
he discovered to an admiring throng the shapely
head and long dropping mustache OF Major General
Baldy Smith. late President of the Police Board His
face was sunburned and tanned. He had evidently
but recently arrived from the rural districts and.
with sigh Of satisfaction, he sank into luxurious
chair, adjusted his glasses and scanned the bill of
fare.
Hardly had the General developed to the waiter his
intentions relative to plate of roast beef when
bald headed. rosy checked, blue eyed man of stout
proportions and vast good nature entered the room
briskly. walked quickly to the table at which the
General sat- and. with the air an old and certain
to-be-welcomed friend. gave him the grand salute
The meeting was truly touching, and for several
moments silence reigned-even the walters paused
in their clatter 1t seemed to require great effort
to induce the second conner. who was no less
parsonage than Police Commissioner De Witt Clin-
ton Wheeler, whose term Of Office expired more
than year ago. and who recently invoked the
sstance OF the Court to compel the Mayor to desist
from disturbing him. to join in the roast beef
lunch. After vigorous use Of q fan Commissioner
Wheeler indorsed the Generals order for roast beef
rare being served hitched his chair little nearer
the table, whereat legal document fell from his
pocket. Picking it up he said. 81 haven't had
paper served on me in long time that gave so
much pleasure this" 1t was q formal notice
issued by General Smith informing Commissioners
Wheeler and French that he was back from his
ton and prepared to resume duty at Headquarters.
NUMBER THREE PUTS IN AN APPEARANCE.
The cachinnation induced by the audible perusal Of
this document had not ceased when the door opened
. third time and gentleman OF distinguished pres
ence, comparatively bald and with an enormous
mustacha. appeared upon the threshold He sur
veyed with dignity and when his black eyes
rested upon the little referred to he smiled be-
ngnly aud proceeded with infinite grace and leisure
to join it. As he neared tho table Commissioner
Wheeler looked up. refraned from taking tempting
piece of beef. and said, he half from his
chair. 'well il here isn't Fronch!"
Police Commissioner French, all the way from
Mulberry street. via Sag Harbor. and accidentally"
a stumbler on his friends.
Conside erabe fun and joty followed after which
Commissioner French adjusted his glasses tho
others had. porused the entire the Others
had, and finally ordered roast beef the others
had.
~ s'iFlslt LAST OF ALL NICHOLS CAME ALSO.
By this time the immense restaurant was packed
with guests many OF whom knew the distinguished
party at the chief table III the refectory. and Won
Headquarters to the Astor House. All unconscious
OF the excitement they were creating and the
gossip they causing. the three Commits
sioners attended to, their roast beef with
commendable industry. Indeed, busy
they that ex-Commissioner Sidney p. Nichols stood
behind General Smiths chair ut least Ave minutes
before either Of them him. Then there u
roar. Hurried greetings followed, whispering in
terfered with appetites and evory thing upside
down until Commissioner Nichols sgniied his in
tention to have little roast beef rare himself
As the four gentlemen were thus pleasantly n
nan. in IN m OAta on Of hupn
family reunion. HERALD writer said--"Ahl this Is
1t at last"
"Jes' So" replied Commissioner Wheeler. he
reached for u slice of tomato.
''Do you expect a reinstatng decision on Monday
next, Mr.. Nicholsy'
''No. not until Tuesday" said he,
"And the decision that rcseats Commissioner
Nichols" said Commissioner Wheeler, ''aIso reseas
General Smith. And perfectly proper. too, for
neither OF the new men Is entitled to place the
Board
Further conversation was carefully confined to
the weather. the roast beef and the singular
scarcity Of mosquitoes until gradually the classic
heads of Messrs. smith ana French approached each
other and long conference ensued, during which
Messrs. Nichols aud Wheeler indulged in equally
absorbing coDfab. ut the close OF which General
Smith paid the bill and all four bowed courteously
to the lar cashier aud departed groupe.