New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-12


James L. Morrison, who appeared in the ca
pacity of the secretary of Mayor Cooper. In
his examination he recalled his brief experience
as a member of the Police Board, and de-
scribed what changes he thinks would benefit
the Police Department. The force, he thinks,
is not too large, but is not properly managed
He would like to see three Commissioners ID
the Board instead of four. Judge Cowing
John Savage and Colonel Tracey also were
examined.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
The Special Committee of the State Senate met at
the City Han yesterday morning and resumed its
work Of inquiry into tho expense and workings OF
the various departments of the Government Of this
city. Senator Mills who had not appeared before
was present. making full attepdance Of the MEM
bers Of the committee. The first witness called was
City Judge Cowing. who was examined as follows
Your court mas thirty-sx attendants az $1,000 EACH
Do you not thiAk this fore. could Ue rtducedt
IA my opiuiol tney should be reduced IN number;
should explain justice 10 the Court why the number
allowed to attain ITS present proportions. IL Is
time from ty sixty OF the most desperate class OF
criminals. including three or four persons charged
with murder. 1t IL among the duties OF
tho attendants to 20 TO the Tombs and take tbese
prisoners 10 the court 70 guard Them IN court. 20 TAKE
witnesses 10 and from The House OF Detention to supply
attendants the Grand Jures and so forth No Win
STANDING, am inclined 10 Junk, and my COLLEAGUES VIII
doubtless agree with ta the force can be decreased
thuk we could take OF the rest would nave to
work a little harder, but their efficiency would not DC
fifnot pr,ccable for the-e prisoners and witnesses
be- taken in charge by the uniformed P'lcet
IL could be DONE
John Savage, clerk Of the Marine Court, was next
examined:
what are your duticsf
have general supervision OF all ma''erS pcI''n"s "
what work T.. done in your object
f,. Il he
the Sqg r tern te1 ana d PlPtr e,e 30 9
How many deputies have youf
luere ar three deputies aud ten assistants.
The deputy clerk Is pad -, 800; the two assistant
deputy CLERKS receive $1,000 each, and tho assistants
In your opulou possible spare the services of
any Of your clerks or assistants
They all seem 20 have plenty to DO.
VINO appoints them
How often have Won been away from yOlr Office
during vacations aud AZ other times when was sur
ferng with cbli- AID fever and the doctor ordered me
senator sraiau-T will tell you frankly that It has
been represented to me tlat You have one deputy
specially authorized 10 sign your name, ana that You
seldom appear at the Office.
That is al mistake; the clerks in the trial term
authorized to sign my name as they could not oiinS
Al what Zine in the day is your office opened'
A. what lime do you get there
Between 10 and IL o'clock.
James +. Morrison, the secretary Of the Mayor.
was the tn I'd witness. The substance OF his cxam-
nation was as follows:
What are your main duties
am mainly occupied advising with the Mayor on
general business. examining statutes, preparing drafts
OF yetoe,. and experimenting correspondence.
What are your Office hours
/ am IN thc Office generally from II O'Clock Til s
sometimes al. an Iulcinite time the evening. gen
erully get to he ociio in advance of the Mayor.
COuG the duues OF your office be combined with those
may say taat was appointed chief clerk and sccre
taIy, aud performed the dniies until was appointed
Police Commissioner. Colonel Tracey was then APP
pointed chef clerk tuInk that while the ordinance
Exists king tue duties of tho chief clerk and requiring
Inn to ave bond the two offices ought not TO Dc com
During your absence ms Police Commissioner aid not
the chief clerk perform the duties OF secretaryl
Yes, DIt t"O ad iitiOhh clerks were appointed to a
portion Of those duties.
senator McCIrtuy-Cdn you give us any information
in orti oi a'y Departments OF the city government
where ucuous may be made 10 advanasef
suOJd hest O." TO give more than impressions In
the hla. ois ol,c there Is not clerk who Las not
.prcinclly 3D. fined duties.
the witnes, Ia re mentioned the names of the en-
poycs and 9ted what their duties are The ex-
animation then continued:
/, there any department m which you can make sug-
re, ,ous of economy outside of the Mayors Office
Ihavc my owu view Of the d-parmen wLn when
was conueciod fora SNORT lime. THINK the efficiency OF
Inc Police Department would ne promoted II the law
would provide iur only tire, Police Commissioners in
stead ui loug. There w!ulI then never be te. One
marty would have control, and would be charged directly
WIN ~ @ h. nf,rT,rsJ Win for the minor
inv Commissioner would san have the right 10 appoint
AN eGuai number OF inspectors The tendency under
such a system would be to lessen the expenses
DO Won tnnk present force OF police IS necessary
I'M, number j. absolutely necessary but do not think
the manner 81 their assignment II heccssdIJ'
What do YOU mean
mean to say tina. too many Of them are assigned to
DAY duly the Broadway anu Steamboat SQUADS ana III
tbr police courts. Tine Superintendent mas reported
that 700 men VINO are h"i assigned To night
would 1t be possible to separate the Police Depart
ment from political iuhuencef -.
Yes, II you could secure an appointing power WITH
ont political atiiuation,;" -, 49,,
senator McCartny-rhcTc is impression that the
Ponce Department Is political macline, and tAat the
EXPENSES are increased from this fact
That II Excluding the work or STRENGTHENING,
the and the forcn are not greater than they
should be-
Mr. Morrison dwelt at considerable length upon
the s-reet-ceanng management, and sad That III
his Opinion the work did not belong to the Police
Department He suggested that the appointing
nov cr be made separate from the power of removal,
and that the Police Commissioners be given the
power of discipline merely by having the right to
order minor punl -hncntS
senator Nee art r--Are the policemen about equally
divided IN politics
Comm. -soncr l. assigned his quota OF appointments,
and The CoGnl7 sioners equally divided politically.
lave you the opinion thIt policemen have certain
| ~ I'VE The opinion that they have such duties
under any authority; thcy doubtless nave lh'lr sym
| pathics.
| .Iudpe Gilderslaeve Of the Court of Conceal
So. ions test fled that he did not think tine present
| force If clerks could be materially reduced and that
! he thought twenty-seven attendants absolutely
| necessary John Tracey, chIet clerk OF Mayor
! Conner was the last witness examined. lie ex-
pained thar IT was his dnty 10 take charge OF all
clerical generally 10 look after the receipts
| and disbursements OF moneys 10 issue warrants,
! aud to write letters and prepare documents. lie
| did not believe that any reduction could be made
! with advantage m the clerical force.
BIRK WRECKED Of 4 BIR.