New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-11

A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGN AT POLICE
HEADQUARTERS YEsTERDAY-THE GENERAL OF
THE TILDEN FORCES FIRST TRIES STRATEGY
THEN HE MAKES AN OPEN ASSAULT ON The
NICHOLS HEADQUARTERS, BUT RETIREs IN
iGNOMINIOUs DEFEAT.
Mr.. MacLean yesterday tried 20 get recognition as
Police Commissioner. first by attempting to sit with
Mr. Voorhis as part of the Police Board and afterwar1
by visiting Commissioner Nichols's room and claim
ing it as his own. He was entirely unsuccessful III
both efforts, but his experience was marked by
some amusing incidents and lively dialogue. These
are reported below
MR. MAoLEAN'S CURIOUS CAMPAIGN.
COMPLETELY DEFEATED IN EVERY EFFORT TO GEf
RECOGNITION AS A COMMISSIONERS.
Mr. MacLean visited Police Headquarters
yesterday the surprise OF everybody In the building
He did not enter by the Muberryst door. as was his
CUSTOM but stole up the Of Mr. Voorhs by tho
MOtt-s entrance The only persons who saw him were
the doorman and policeman whom ne met on tDe
stairs He passed quickly into Mr. Noor'
hiss room and remained there for five
or ten minutes Both OF them then went to tho
room where the Board meetings usually held, and
Mr. MacIean seated himself in the chairman's place.
He rang for the clerk, and at that moment Mr.. Kpp
entered.
"Is neither Of the other Commissioners here ~ in
qulred Mr.. VoOrhIs.
was the 9nswer.
Wel said Mr. Yoorhis, this being there cannot
be a quorum, see Are your papers hereP
They are all here" said the Clerk.
Then please call the roll and make the entry on yont
minutes that certain Commissioners being present. but
no quorum, the Board cannot hold meeting'
don't think that can do that very Well answered
Mr.. KIpp. quietly. " 1t is not customary"
- Why is it not customary - Mr.. Voorhis asked ."
think that is a perfectly far proceeding"
"No" rejoined Mr., Kipp I" 1t is not regular pro-
ceeding unless there two Commissioners here to
order the entry to be made Mr. Nichols is upstairs az
=" Yes! Hmlp murmured Mr.. voorhis. 80 Well. Idont
see that it is any use. You won't make the entryF
90 Then at least you can note that certain Commits.
soner here TO hold meeting ting ana that DO quorum
/ can do that yes, sir. l you herep was Mr..
NJ MaeIsan rose and said "wel it is use" and
he retired TO Mr.. VOOrhis's room.
.tendcd 70 do in tue matter but he only shrugged his
shoulders. Mr.. Voorhs was seen an hour aer, anu WIS
asked If he recognized Mr. NichoN as Ponce Con"iS-
We'll" said he first couldn't very well recognize
him under the circumstances Ihere Is no oruer SI mo
Conrt TO rensate him. and consequently no authority
Then have never been asked to recognize him. No one
"'' II YOU are asked TO recognize him will yOul"
~ am afraid that is leading question:, was the only
reply
ATTEMPTING TO CAPTURE THE NICHOLS HEAD
QUARTERS.
The Tammany politicians thronged about Commls'
soner Nicholas room looked up IN wonder when Ar
MacI,ean walked IN, unannouDeed, at halfpast IL
O'Clock bowing to those present. The officer on guard
had offered no resistance and Mr. Maclean opened the
door with his own latch-keY. Commissioner Nichols
who was standing at the CRATE warming his hands, re-
ceived him courteousy moIoDing 10 him to be seated
Mr. MacLean accepted the Invitation.
swell Mr.. Nichols" he said suavely, " can DO any
thing for you this morningr, -. III,
for -
nouse followed, that lasted, grew more enDar-
hooked aDery and the other Tsmmsny IN
at The silence was broken 1y eerS w1o 10
where he should obtain some coal needed IN the street,
Lean sezng upon the chance to resume the eonversa
W." "" yhv reulIed Commissioner Nichols with apparent
] surprise as Police Commissioner IN charge OF this
| bureau. that is my duty" ,., n,,..,
o@!nnlIoSni oCommssioner Nichols-In May, 1879
MIR MacLean-I came here In April, understanding
that YOU had removed by the Mayor and appointed
ID nmmssIoner y1or Nichos-You never showed your
appointmen time protested against your intru-
| sion in the preseIce OF witnesses.
| Wr MacIean-Has anything occurred since 20 give
| YOU any right to occupy this oiheef -, o
Commissioner Nich0s-Tne Judgment Of the supreme
Court nstlng you from my rghtful place Is record"
| Mr. MacLean-'' Have you copy OF any such iudg'
nCoSmmssioner Nichos-Judse Lawrence's decision is
on fe addition Is spread on the minutes OF ne
Ir iMacLcan-taddressng the Deputy Chief Cler0
Mr. Kipp, have you any order OF Such chd'ac'cr "
'nST Mr.. 'Kipp-I have spread tho minutes what the
DS Mr WacISan-That is an ingenious answer, but it
evades the question. HAVE you any order embodying
| such a Judgment to showl
Mr.. Kiop-I shall refuse to give you any other an-
swer; hroro IN Commissioner Nichols. n little
impatently, " the Judgment of the Supreme COURTS
is ali YOU have to say about 1t :" rejoined Mr.
"a',IIG' ID a,l'n was the answer
A brief pause followed. Mr. MacLean looked around
| rhe room "Tneso are my rooms" nc remarked Y
length with something that sounded Ike half sSh'
't Tx Coroner Fanigan who sitting BY. gave vent
70 a grnt, checked before he said
w,ai he evidently wanted say. Commissioner Ncaos
smiled These rooms were assigned - 10 IN me nS me
| they we're always mne even when J on uscd them.
! nronosc 10 hold them against all comers'
fCammissioncr Nichols had been standing mp He now
sat down IN the Office chair directly In trout OF the Com
Won,t ySu ne kind enough to change seats with me-"
asked Mr. MseLsan. " That is the seat usually occupy
Commsstoner Nichols paid attention TO lh,s remark
bat added: These Were my rooms always nave Oeen
my rooms, and are mine at present shai cou'hueih
Well said Mr NacLeau after apparently weighing
,hc matter IN his mind hnvc to attend 10 some uther
mstters and can't stay here should IKE very muchh
would leave them 50 hst can tks Silh
laugh Il thosh something OF havng bed put up 50
Mr. Mae ciean-it would be good idea for you TO move
J ont think as yOu are not Police Commissioner
| Commissioners Nlchols-Nota Police Commissioner
Mr MaeIesn-weu then, came here get posses
sion ~ INV rooms and move. Do you declines
| Commls sioner Nichos-Why notf You certainly DO
| not want TO move out OF my own roSmsI S, o.x
| Mfr MncLcau-TheD, gentlemen, old you very
| Good morning and smiling and bowling, ir. Maclean
6oecd ont npd down stairs to Mr.. NOOrhiss room.
MIR Nichols aud his friends sat Tor moment silent,
and then came burst Of laughter which ihe Conmis-
sioner tried vain TO repress THUS ended the raid on
| fhe Police Department. and Mr.. Maclean retired
| shorily after Mr. MacIean's departure, NJ VOorhis
called upon Commissioner Nichols in his room. He said
maj me was glad 10 see him and invited the Commits
sioner 10 accompany him on trp 10 Harlem 10 look at
he naces for the second Precinct station house and
or the bldtug operations Referring casually TO SIR Mac
Leans visit he SAID that he presumed II to be neces-