Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-07
ELECTION OF POLICE OFFICERS.
The "Ins" and the "outs Protests and
Probable Contest.

The excitement which has existed for some
time past over the looked-for appointment OF
members of the police force of this city cul-
minated last evening. The Board of Com
missioners at its last meeting adjourned sub
ject to the call of the majority, for the
avowed purpose of considering motion to
elect the force but for one year. At that
meeting the City Hall was filed with curious
and interested spectators, and this would have
made any action at that time embarrassing to
the Commissioners, where there were so many
jealous applicants.
! The Commissioners yesterday afternoon,
seemingly without any previous consultation,
met, and resorted to the Water Works build
ing and held the election in the room of the
Board of Trustees one but members of
| the Board being present.
Balloting commenced at > P NJ, and it was
nearly ) o'clock before the entire number of
officers could be chosen. It is stated that
more than fifty names were placed in nolni.
nation, and that the expectations of neither
Commissioner were fully realized.
The officers elected were Frank Rider, o.
G. jackson, Jerry NJ. Woods, Il. +. Frazee,
of the old force, and Frank Fredericks, Frank
Smith, j. j. Carroll, j. l.. Atwood, John
Campbell, Tim Lee and Walter 3. Ferral, as
new members. Eight of these are under
stood to be Republicans, three as Democrats,
and none as Workingmen.
The result was quickly known On the
streets, and after dinner was the subject of
discussion among many groups that were
gathered on the corners, some commencing,
others condemning, but all somewhat sur
prised at the choice or defeat of some partic-
ular individual. The members of the Work
ingmen's party, many of whom were appli-
cants for positions, held mass meetings, of
four or five attendants each, ON J and K
streets, all the way from Front to Seventh,
and were open in expressions of disgust and
disappointment at not getting expected APP
pointments.
The members of the police force who were
discontinued by the election of their success
ors held consultation and sought the legal
| advice of Greed Raymond. Acting under
his counsel they determined to take some
legal action to prevent their removal, and a
further consultation with Greed Raymond,
G. L. Jones and Attorney-General Hart will
be held to-day. Officers Wing, Dolan and
Valentine, who were at the police Office at
change of watch last night, when asked by
Chief Karcher to return their stars, first in
quired if charges had been made against
them, and upon receiving negative answer,
complied with the order under formal pro-
tests. The point upon which they propose
to contest their removal is that the Board of
Commissioners have no right to discharge an
officer except for some good cause, and then
not until he has been given an open trial.
The Act in regard to the election of police
officers is entitled Gan Act amendatory of
and supplemental to an Act approved April
%, 1868, entitled an Act to Incorporated the
city of Sacramento, and was approved March
g. 1872. 1t reads as follows: From and
after the LIST day of April, 1872, there shall
be in said city Board of Police Commits
sioners, which Board shall consist of the
President of the Board of Trustees, the Chief
of Police, and the Police judge. Any
two of said Police Commissioners shall
be quorum to transact business.
The said Board are hereby authorized, i'm
mediately upon entering upon the duties of
said office, to appoint permanent police force
for said city, which they shall equip and uni
form under such rules and regulations as they
may from time to time prescribe. The Board
shall have the power to remove any member
of the Police Department for the violation of
any rules and regulations which they may
make and promulgate to the said Police Depart
ment, or for other good cause, but only on
written charges preferred against and served
upon him, and upon public trial and con-
viction by said Commissioners. The said
police force shall consist of Captain of
Police and such number of policemen as the
Police Commissioners may deem necessary
for the protection and good government of
the city,"
The new officers assembled at the police
office at 10 o'clock last night and received
formal instructions. A detail of officers was
made for the night, and the entire force
were notified to appear at 2 o'clock this
afternoon, when regular duty will
be assigned to them and beats established.
For the present no changes are to be made
among the special officers, who viii continue
to act until some further action is taken. 1t
is not definitely known what detail will be
made, but it is understood that Tim Lee will
be Bailiff of the Court and Walter B. Ferral
one of the keepers of the prison.