The New York herald., 1879-10-29
THE LOCUST.

EXCITED DISCUSSION BY THE POLICE CoMMIS-
sIoNERs OVER Mr.. FRENCHs MOTION TO
COMPEL POLICEMEN TO CARRY THEIR CLUBS
IN THEIR BELTS.
Tho Police Board held regular weekly meeting
yesterday. Mr.. MacLean was. on motion Of Mr..
French appointed temporary chairman. After tho
usual routine business had been disposed of. such
as transferring policemen and appointing cartmen
in the Street Cleaning Bureau. Mr.. French moved
the adoption of the followng:-
When on duty tho baton shall be carried in the
socket attached to the belt and be drawn thercfrom
only when required for the selfprotection OF the
officer or Tor use in urgent cases.
Mr.. French in support Of this resolution said It
had been stated to him that there objections to
that rule for the that during summer a blouse
is worn and the police force do not belt His
answer to that argument is that policemen should
be compelled to belts under their bouses.
Mr.. Wheeler replied that the belts are very heavy.
and he though. 1t would bo inexpedient il not inn
practicable to enforce such a rule He would be in
favor instead of moving that Rule 55l-
Mr.. French interrupted to say that in order to
meet that objection he would amend his motion
that the baton should be carried during the
months in side pocket or socket. Inspector Dilks.
he said: was in favor OF this arrangement. aud if
adopted 1t would likely work well.
/ Mr.. Wheeler replied that tho club carried by
policemen during the daytime was much shorter
than the in at night.
Mr.. French said that he in favor OF passing
rule such he had proposed in order to prevent
policemen handling and using their club for insuf.
fcient He said that his attention hrst
called to this question at the recent trial Of Poco
,nau Fleming, of tho Twenty ninth precinct. who
charged with the clubbing Of George w. Smith
at Madison square. Fleming's stupidity, he said.
was so apparent that no such man should be per-
nitted on tho force. Mr.. French had no doubt but
that Officer Fleming ut the time ho injured
young Smith WAS carelcssy swinging his
force of habit struck Mr. smith II have seen my
SELF. said Mr. French. leaving his seat and talking
III high tone OF voice police ocers aispersns .s nnsr
who had been swinging his club. would exclaiin.
Get out Of hcre' and ut the same time aim vicious
any reason why such mon should not be restrained
from the free use of the club. Soldiers wear belts
In summer tirne, and do not sec any good reason
why policemen should not"
CONFLICTING VIEWS.
Mr. Morrison thought that IL the CLUB was TO DO
confined under the blouse there would bo difficulty
in reaching 1t when occasion required ana Mr..
Wheeler expressed similar opinion. =,
Mr.. French, however, remained steaurast In Ms
convictions. Ho said that superintendent Walltng
IL appealed to for his opinion on the subject would
of tho plan Of carrying the club beneath tho
blouse. Mr., MacIscan thcreupon remarked that he
had held a consultation tor an hour and half with
the superintendent aud that the latter did not
nress himself in favor OF Mr.. French's motion.
Whereupon Mr.. French expressed his incredulity
that Superintendent walng could entertain opinions
ao iianetrcally opposite.
Mr.. Wheeler changed the course OF the discussion
bv romarking that there should be some method
adopted to compel citizens who make complaints
against policemen to appear to prosecute. He in-
stanccd the last trial day when thorc fifteen
charges against policemen and but two compliments
present.
Mr.. NacLean said that the rulcs Of tho department
covered that point.
Mr.. Wheeler desired to have Mr.. French's rcsolu-
ton laid lie said that no In favor OF
doing eyeryng e. to Noyiate sne re RECKLESS ss sws
prepared to- vote, AZ the manner OF remedying the
evil not we'll considered.
Mr.. French was made the moro rcsoluto by tho
opposition he received from his republican coll
league Hc exclaimed excitodly -"vcry well; thon
adopt II now. You can adopt the first part OF the
resolution and leave that part Of the rule which
fers to the summer season out that section can be
adopted whom the necessity arrives for enforcing It,
want some rule adopted now that will take the
club out of the hands OF these ignorant fellows"
MIR. MacIean said that the most ehectual way to
them IN their hands at all.
MIR. Frcnch's ruc, after further unimportant de-
bate was laid over for tho present.
Tho Board then adjourned.