The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-11
AN UNDESIRABLE POSITION.
The New Man Chosen for Police Super
intendent Will Not Accept 1t.
The Commissioners Ready, However, to Make
Change Whenever They Can Find a
Man Satisfactory to the Gang.

Lang is still superintendent of police, but how
long he will remain in that trying Office depends
upon the developments of to- day, perhaps of to.
morrow. Yesterday was devoted to straighten-
| ing crooked lines in the Democratic plan for his
removal, and late last night there was still con-
| fusion, not of purpose. but as to how to accom-
| plsh it. The commissioners did not meet be-
cause the Democratic majority had no one to
vote for. They were ready to remove,
but not to elect. Eugene A. Cooper
had, after much consultation with the State
officers and Commissioner Downing declined the
| position. 1t was understood that he wished to
have absolute control of the men, and great
deal to say ia appointing them. But an unfavor-
able difference in the salary he now receives and
| the one he would receive as superintendent bad
| about as much to do with his declination as any
thing else. AT the Bates House, last night there
| was diversity of speculation as to the outcome
| of his interview with the State officers among a
| few supposed TO be we'll informed on police mat
| ters A Journal reporter determined to
| settle the question by asking Mr.. Cooper what
| he thought of the situation. He was seen at his
home on East Ohio street, just W est of Pennsyl-
| vania, and asked if he intended to accept the
| position.
II have declined it." he answered. ''This is
irrevocable. I will not take the position under
| any circumsta nces, and SO l told the commits
sioners tonight. Colonel Downing wanted me
to see Mr.. Murphy this evening, but told him
it was no use, as anything Mr.. Murphy could
say would not make me change my determine
| tion?"
"Will you tell me the reasonsf
THE first is, the salary will not justify my
| giving up the position now occupy"
II understand you are also unwilling to ask a
| cancellation of any contract you may have rela-
| tive to your position as superintendent of the
| -worksl'
THAT is true Of course, have an ambition
| to occupy any place where think can better
| myself But as between the superintendency of
the ar-works and that of the police, l prefer
the former, not because of any failure
to manage the force successfully. l am accus-
toned to dealing with men. have between
three and four hundred now under me and am
responsible for their management to no but
the president of the company. have unlimited
power to employ and discharge. Were to &C
cept the superintendency of the police could
not do it under thirty days"
After some inquiries as to the personnel of
the force, Mr.. Cooper reiterated his de-
termination not to accept the position.
This leaves the plan unaccomplished,
although it is understood Colonel Downing
has selected Captain John Hennessy, formerly
captain on the old force, but now detective for
the Vandalia Railroad Company, to succeed
Lang. The selection, it seems, has been given
to Col Downing, for Mr.. Murphy yesterday said
to reporter: Il don't know that there is any
change to be made, and don't think there will
be for two or three weeks, if there is then. We
don't have regular meeting until next Monday
night, and don't think there will be any
thing doue then. / have not heard of any
special meeting and if there was to be
one, certainly would know of it. All I know
about the matter is this: When Commissioner
Downing was appointed-and want to say that
he is an excellent official said to him: There
has been and is, among certain class, great
howl against Superintendent Lang, and wish
you would pay particular attention to his work
and judge as near as possible of his fitness for
the position he holds and otter you have done
tins, and you come to the conclusion
that tina you of better him man a iof
he shall be Mr.. Lang's successor. Some time
after this Mr.. Downing suggested that he knew
only one man that would suit him better than
Lang and that was Dick Cooper. who had
worked for him several years. But Mr.. Down
ing at the time, assured me that Cooper could
not be induced to accept, as his present salary
was So 600 per year, and that of the superln-
| tendent only 81, 500. The whole matter was
then dropped until recently, when it came up
| assure you no definite action has been decided
| upon"
| Among the interested partisans in this affair
| is Thomas Cottrell, whose return to the police
| board is not to be too readily questioned. He
| did not appear to have great amount of infor
nation to deal out last night, but he sad
| ''When Murphy went down to see the State Off
| GERS Saturday, there was music. He had the
| riot act read"
"a day has gone by without the change being
off tod Of hat
| racy," but we can afford to wait day or two
| 1t has come to this: Lang or Murphy is bound to
| 60"
Sim Coy was not altogether in an amiable
| mood, but he stopped long enough to answer a
| question two regarding his persistent pursuit
of Lang. This matter might be compromised,
Sim." suggested the reporter, 'by making you
| superintendent"
well it could, but it won't be-" replied the
| Eighteenth ward statesman. II am too much of
a partisan l am none of your weak kneed Dem
ocrats. l believe that if any Democratic official
does not like the nominees of his party, and will
not vote for them, he should at once step down
| and out"
| "But about Lang2 He is good Democrat"
| Eyes, he is Don't you know that Lang has
not carried out the wishes of the Democratic
party? The metropolitan police law says the
| force shall be one-half Republicans and onehalf
| Democrats. Do you know how many Demo-
Gratis there are in the force of seventy-i menl
You don't, eh2 Well there are just fifteen, not
| counting Buck Farrell"
score or more patrolmen all generally sup
posed to be Democrats, were named.
Every one." replied Coy lis a hybrid-a
mugwump No one knows the pedigree of the
| force better than l do just look at it. The
secretary of the board is a Republican, the sur
| geon is Republican. There are just fifteen
Dem ocrats, good and true, on the force. All we
| ask is fair play"
| Have you not had itF'
.At meeting of the State officers the night
| before his appointment. / brought Lang before
/ them. He was then and there instructed to
manage the force in the best interests of the
city and the party he represented. Ii was never
! the intention to the force for the partys
special benefit, but to take it out of politics, and
at the same time give the Democrats their place
Look at it. Republican saloon keepers have
| been allowed to run at will, while Democrats
| have been guarded. We want the qualifications
of policeman decided on by the commissioners