Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-16
rHE POLICE commIgsIoEKRs.
Unmistakable Language of Mayor Brown
and Judge Hsnry.


and Judge Henry.
The reputation established by the Board o
Police Commissioners the other day-that o
transacting more business in given length o
time than any other Commission known t,
history-is likely to be perpetuated, as th'
seven minutes session eff yesterday, reported
below. gives evidence.
At exactly . O'Clock, Mayor BrowP, Pclic,
Judge Henry, Captain of Police jerry
Woods, several other oficers of the force ant
a couple of newspaper reporters fled into to,
Police Courtroom. The Mayor Immediately
assembled the platform and took the ses
usually occupied by the Judge. He called
the meeting to order, and, addressing tht
Captain OF Police, asked for report Of hi
stewardship.
Mr.. Woods arose, and, addressing tbs
Chair, said he YVES pleased to be able to in
form the Commissioners that the entire pc
lice detail we're doing excellent duty, and thai
the orders issued by the Commissioners were
being executed promptly. He had taken es
pecial pains TO ascertain that each officer wa:
on duty and obsyiIg the orders delivered tC
them by him, and that citizens generally had
made up their minds to obey the orders issued
to the new detail. Arrests were few, and ap
parently those who hsd been in the habit Of
defying the existing laws and ordinances had
wisely come TO the conclusion that it would
not be safe at this time to offer any resist.
ance.
Mayor Brown addressed those assembled,
ssying that he had, during the preceding
tweniy-four hours, beon trying to Go little
detective duty. He was satisfied, from the
investigations be had made, that the Com
mission had duty to perform, in which they
must have the hearty and vigilant co-opsra-
tion of all the officers on the force. He was
credibly informed that on the day before the
pfoprietors of two tan games il Chinatown
hai made up their minds to pay the license
imposed by the passage of TIE gambling ordi-
nance, but were prevented from SO doing by
parties who informed them that such an act
on their part was foolish and entirely I'M
necessary , that the Chief Of Police in few
days would be around again and exercise the
same control over the detail and acts of the
officsrs that would insure for them in the fu-
ture what it had in the past, immunity from
arrest. He was also crsdibly iaformed-in
fact, he claimed that MS inform alton came so
direct ~ not to be gainsaid-thst each
of the tan games land there are a score
of them Ia the city, paid S. each per week to
Commission has fully made up their minds
that these gross and unparalleled open viola
tons of the law must and shall be stopped.
BE pledged his word of honor as Mayor of
the city aud Chairman of the Board of Police
Commissioners TO have the laws enforced, no
matter at what cost. He called upon the
officers present to go forth and do their duty,
arrest and prosecute all who set at defiance
tbs laws and ordinances, and in the perform
ancs of their duty they would be furnished
all the aid necessary. He directed the clerk
of the Board TO report at the meeting at 2
P. NJ. to-day the names of ihs special police
men, together with the location and character
of the work they perform.
Judge Henry fully conceded with the re-
marks Of the Mayor, and expressed desire
to see all thu laws and ordinances of the city
enforced. He wished to see officers do their
duty, and educate the people up to the belief
that it is possible for an honest and conscien-
tious citizen to make good policeman. A
man who accepts the position of peace officer
should be above reprosch and demand that
respect that is accorded TO those who follow
other occupations.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
In This connection it may be stated that the
question as to the power of the Board of Pc
ice COluull5slOU6ES ON6E Tue USb9tl OF ODlcSrs,
and specific directions as to their duties, was
decided by Judge Rearaon in the summer of
1875. At that time csrtsin members of the
police forcs had hesn kept on night duty,
mostly in the upper portion Of the city, six
teen months. without day of intermission
or being SLOWED to change 10 the day detail,
In plsce of more favored ones. This injustice
became so apparent, and the general belief
existing as to the reasons upon the part Of the
Chief Of Police for insistirg upon this order
of things, led the Police Board to interfere.
The Board at that time was composed Of
Mayor Green, Judge Cantwell and Matt
Karcher, who was Chief CT Police, the same as
now. The Mayor and Police Judge, as ma
jority Of the Board, passed an order over the
objection of the Chief of Police, that that
officer make new detail, in such way as to
bring all the officers upon duty equally,
changing in their turn from night to day de-
tails, said changes to be made each week, and
also changing every two wesks the beats
upon which they were TO serve.
Chief karcher refused 20 comply with the
order, and tbs officers who had been on night
duty uursmittingly for sixteen months ap.
piled to the then District Court for writ Of
to compel the Chief to obey the or
der Of the Police Board. Chief Karcher be-
ing brought before the District Court. Judge
Reardon, who was temporarily sitting in place
of Judge Rsmage, decided that the majority
of the Bolrd of Police Commissioners had
full power over tie police detail, and of regu.
lations governing the force, and ordered that
the Chief comply with the order passed by
the Board.
No change was made, however, until the
Sandsy evening. At that time, the
Chief refusing TO follow the direction Of the
Court, Captain Stevens took the matter into
his own hands, and made ont bulletin aud
posted it in the police Office, changing the
boundaries Of the police districts Of tee city.
placing the night ofiicers on day duty, and
the order Of the Poles Board.
the Chief threatened to suspend the Captain
FOR his characterization, but the latter re-
torted that he could not suspend one side Of
him. The officers concluded that under the
outlook Of things # wss wissst to obey the
Captain than the Chief, and they did so. The
next morning papers we're issued for the
arrest of the Chief of Polica for contempt of
Court, in not complying with its mandate !;
bat hearing Of what was about to occur, aud
seeing that matters were becoming uncomfer-
tably sultry, the bucking Chief pulled down
his battle flag and Immediately sought the
majority of the Police Board, to whom he
promised to fully comply with
sll requirements. Thus does history repeat
itself.
RENovATrNG TIE CAPlToL.-There is q