New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-24
FOR A NEW POLICE BOARD.
Mr. van C0I1ss NETWORK oiTY BILL SENT
10 THIRD READING IN THE SENATE

ME- VAN CbiIsbf hEW-lChh gill bli1b o11n
TO THIRD READING IN THE SENATE
A COMMISSION OF TWO PROVIDED FOR, ONE A
REPUBLICAN AND THE OTHER DEMOCRAT
PROBABLE ACTION OF THE ASSEMBLY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuRRl
Albany, April o3.-It has recently come to the
knowledge Of the Republican leaders In the Lcglslau
that Mayor Grant Of New-York so desirous OF
having representative OF Tammany Hail as mem
Der Of tho Board Of Police Of that city, that upon the
expiration Of the term Of stephen b. French one Oh
the two Republican Police Commissioners, upon May
l. he may appoint Tammany Democrat Mr. French
successor. This would leave the Republican party
with but one representative on the Board OF foee'
and would put their political interests In grave peril
owing TO tho law giving the Police Commissioners
the power to appoint tho Chief OF the Bureau Oh
Elections
II has sometimes been assumed that there . law
providing that two Of tho Police Commissioners shall
be Republicans and the other two Democrats, thus
keeping the Board evenly balanced politically !;
but there Is no such law Only
custom has led to the preservation for
many years Of tho present non-partisan character
of the Board by the appointment Of Republicans ID
succeed Republicans and of Democrats 10 succeed
Democrats rs Police Commissioners.
Charles F. MacLean, one Of the present two Demo
cratic Commissioners, Is sometimes credited TO Tam.
many Hall, but this. in the opinion Of tho Tammany
Hall leaders, Is mistake. Mr.. MacLean does not
have that friendly relation to their organization, In
their opinion, which would enttle him to be considered
as such representative. In any case, they do not
wish him to be so considered. They have not for
gotten that as intimate friend Of Samuel j. Tllden
he waged upon the Tammany Hal Society, from 1875
to 1850. warfare Of the most virllent character
AZ for John Z. Voorhis, the other Democratic Com,
missioner, It is well known that he is representative
Of the County Democracy organization.
Confronted as they with prospective loss Of
equal power with the Democrats in the Board Of
Police, the Republican leaders have looked about for
some method by which they. could save
that power and yet crafty Mayor Grant
In his wish that Tammany Hall should
have representation in the Board Of Police. The Re
publicsns think they have discovered method, In
bill introduced on May IA, by Senator Vedder. The
bin was sent here however, by senator Van Colt, Of
NewYork, who was then detained at homo by illness
and was introduced by Senator vedder at Senator
Van Colts request The bin properly, therefore,
should DO credited to Senator Van Cott Tho measure
abolishes the present Board Of Police Of New-York
and puts in it's place Board consisting OF two NOM
bcrs one OF whom Is TO be Republican and the other
q Democrat. The salary at FIRST named in the bin
was o.0o0 but tho Senate Committee on cities has
reduced this amount to 5000. Below IS q verbatim
undoubtedly receive good deal Of attention;
Section J. Within thirty days from the date Of the pas
sage OF this sc the Mayor Of the city Of New.York shall
designate and appoint eeotors resdiag In said city
b Commissioners Of Police IN said city. One OF said
designated and appointed shall belong
the party which a. the last preceding election for state
ocers largest number Of for It's candidates
and the other OF said commissioners designated and a
pointed shall bsloag TO the party which at such last pre-
ceg election cast the next largest number Of votes for
It's espdidateS
See Tho said Commissioners, 70 appointed snsil be
called Board OF Police and shall be the head Of the
Department Of Police In Ssi city, and shall respectively
hed their Offices for six years ana until their successors
shall Do respectively appointed and have qualified They
shall fror and after Entrance upon their duty DO paid
annual SaaIy Of $4,000 each which shall DO In fuu
for all services rendered b. them TO the city and county
In any capacity whatever.
See g. The said Commissioners appointed IN pursuance
this oct ami said Hoard Of Police thus constituted
shall from and after the mo Of their appointment and
qualification have and possess ell the powers and au
thority and b subject all the duties and obligations 81
present conferred imposed the present Board OF
Police and Commissioners OF Police in aid city by law
Sec. L. From and after the fst meeting Of the Board
Of Police under the provisions Of this act the duty and
authority and power Of the present Board of Police in the
city Of New.York ana OF tho Commissioners Of Police
therein shall wholly cease aud shall vest In the said
Board Of Police constituted by this act
SEQ. O. Any vacancy In the Office Of Commissioners Of
Of Police hhsn be filled by the said Mayor Tor the fu
years the Of any commissioner
shall be appointed the political party from which tho
appointment originally made in such manner that tho
two Commissioners constituting said board shall be Of
different political faith on National isspes.
Sec. g. This act shall take effect Immediately.
Senator Hendricks, the chairman OF the Committee
on Cities Of the Senate, submitted favorable report
ON this bill early this evening 10 the Senate
Senator Cantor, OF Tammany Hail. was in the chair.
AZ would move that the bin be ordered to q third read.
ing,s said Senator Hendricks plaeldy. II there is
objection II Is ordered" said Senator Cantor There
was no objection and the bill went to third reading.
Corporation Counsel Beekmsn, who Is member OF
the County Democracy organization rushed up TO SEN
stUr Murphy, OF the same organization, and said
DO you know what that bill waS3'
Senator Murphy ives surprised OF Mr.. Beekmsn's
excitement, and calmly replied No, what was itl'
Mr.. Beckman replied: 1t was that double eaded
Police Department bill" Then Mr.. Murphy did look
appalled, Hadesi" he said loudly. In the AS
sembly the Copmlttee ON Cities ecnsidered the same
Upon motion Of hir Fish the committee resolved
10 report the bill favorably tomorrow 1t
rlmored tonight that bill would be passed separat-
Ing the Bureau Of Elections from the Police Depart
ment. Senator Van Colt, who has a bin Of that
nature, says he doesn't think he will press II II the
Board Of Police Is maintained I'm its present non
partisan state. There are also runors that bills
viii be introduced giving the Republican party rep
Of Police Justices II Is suggested that the number
Of Police Justices be increased to Fifteen In order that
some Republican Police Justices may DO appointed.
Ex-Speaker Hustled moved to-day IN the Assembly
that the session Of that body. tomorrow should BE-
gin at 10 o'clock, In order that committee reports
might be received II is suspected that the chief
committee report for which THIS session will be held
VIII he that Of the Committee on Cities.