National Republican., 1883-05-29
THE CHIEF Is CHIEF.
MAJ Dye DismisseS the Property Clerk and He
Declines to Co.
Hut the Commissioners Confirm the Order
and lie Goes Out.

Mr.. Dunivan, the property clerk of the
police department was yesterday summarily
discharged for delivering up the goods re-
Gently taken from Messrs. Plumb and Rogers,
the lottery men, an account of which was
published in yesterdays REPUBLICAN,. Maj.
Dye sent the following to Mr.. Dunivan:
To PROPERTY CLERK DuNIvAN-May %; Special
order, No 7-Mr. William j. Dunivan, property
clerk, is suspended from the duties of his office,
excepting so far as relates TO the transfer of
moneys, property, books, and papers pertaining TO
said Office lie win prepare at once to make the
'''''N' $3.50 wM. NICE. DYE, Major.
For reply Mr.. Dunivan returned the order
with note stating that tho major had no
control over his Office, and no declined to
obey until tho order should be approved by
the commissioners.
Mai. Dye sent the correspondence TO the
commissioners, and laid before them u state.
ment of the case, which resulted in the pro-
mitigation of an order confirming Maj, Dyes
order, and Mr.. Donivan was discharged. Mr..
Sylvester, tho now property clerk, will take
charge this morning. Mai. Dye also issued
an order retiring Mr.. Richard Hamilton,
stationkeeper at the fifth precinct station.
The reason for his removal is said to be that
on Christmas eve, two years ago, he delivered
to some officers some presents sent thcm.
Mr.. Dunivan gives the following account of
afternoon Deputy Marshal S. j, Class, Of the
supreme court of tho District of Columbia,
and Charles Thompson one of the attorneys
for John NJ. Rogers, whose safe was recently
broken open and lottery tickets taken there
from by Detectives Raft Carter and Block,
ppeared atpoliCc headquarters and served a
writ of rcplcvin upon Property Clerk w. j.
Dunivan. Mr.. Dunivan, after acknowledging
service took the paper to Mai. Dye, atcompa-
MED by Messrs. Gass and Thompson. Mai. Dye
took tho writ and left the Office. He first
went to the district commissioners Office and
then to Attorney Riddles Office, and in both
places received instructions mot TO obey the
writ" In the meantime the deputy marshal
got tired waiting, and as the writ had been
served and acknowledged upon Mr.. Dunivan,
demanded the goods called for and scheduled
in tho writ. They were taken from the
property clerks safe and delivered up by Mr.
Dunivan and carried away by tho deputy
marshal. Shortly afterward Maj. Dye
returned. When he had learned that the
goods had been given up, he flew into II tower.
ing rage and ordered Detective Ran, who was
present, to go at once and take the goods from
the deputy marshal. Raft expostulated with
the major, saying, "Why, major, couldn't
attempt that"
Yesterday afternoon, after the correspond
ence above referred to had been considered
by the commissioners, Mai. Dye informed Mr.
TO sec him.
He went to the Office and there met Judge
Edmonds, Gen. West and Maj Dye,
"You delivered up property to the marshal
of the district on Saturday, Mr.. DunivanT
said Judge Edmonds
"Yes sir; did, was the reply.
"By what authority did you actY
"By this writ" said Mr. Dunivan, pro-
ducing it from his pocke.
"Did tho deputy marshal know what safe
the goods were in?" said Mr.. Edmonds (there
are three safes at headquarters, two in the de-
tcctives' office, one of which is the property
clerks, and one in the captains oflice).
"Of course not, but / knew"
"Dd you have the writ when you gave up
the property" replied Judge Edmonds.
1.-THE writ had been properly served on me
/ had examined it and gave up what it called
for. was obeying the law" said Mr.. Duni'
van, sqags.is .p., .,t.
This ended the conversation. Latercin the
day the following was issued:
Ordered That having heard William J Duni-
van property clerk of the metropolitan police, IN
ms defense on the charge OF the major of police
the commissioners ratiiy his suspension hereto:
fore made by the major of police. and for that and
other grounds upon which he has also been
heard, summarily discharge him for neglect o.
duty, TO take effect to-day and withdraw the let
ter of commendaion given him at his earnest
request.
& That the appointment of Mr.. Richard syl'
vester take effect ut once.
Mr.. Dunivan denies that he solicited any
letter of commendation from the distric
commissioners, but that they gave him let
ter upon the strength of fourteen years
faithful service, according to the records.