Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-03-24
BURNS FOR CHIEF.
A Stormy Meeting of the
Police Commission.
THE VOTE is THREE TO TWO
Messrs. Lindley and Knox Explain
Their Vote and Enter
Strong Protest.

DOSBIDl0 c0anC0 OI eaCn Canuluul6 lOI
Chief of Police, and the combinations
which it was alleged had been arranged
to affect the matter. 1t was rumored
that a meeting of the Police Commits
sioners had been held during the early
hours Of the morning, and that while no
agreement had been reached, yet it was
possible that such an event might hap
pen in the afternoon. 1t subsequently
transpired that no meeting had been
held in the morning, but that one would
take place at the st. Elmo Hotel at 2
O'Clock in the afternoon. Prior to this
time the members of the Commission
had persistent siege of office-seekers to
keep at arms length, and it appeared
as if nearly every one on the street was
either after q position for himself or for
someone else. According to the ordi-
nance adopted by the Council the force
will consist of but seventy men, includ-
ing the Captain, Sergeants, drivers and
clerk, and it was difficult for the Com
missioners to see how they could satisfy
even tenth part of the number who had
applied.
At o'clock the Commissioners, accom-
panied by reporters, who we're admitted
to the meetings for the first time, assembled
the stairs at the st. Elmo Hotel, and en-
tered the parlors where Mayor Hazard
called the meeting to order, and ap-
pointed Mr.. Bilderrain as Secretary.
Mayor Hazard then read those portions
of the Charter, which apply to the Po-
lice Commission, and inquired as to the
rule laid down for balloting.
Nr. Lindley suggested that the Com
mission follow the rule adopted on Fri.
day, which was to vote viUd voce.
Mr.. Hazard said he thought the rule to
be followed was the one laid down in the
Charter.
No rule was found and the matter was
dropped.
Mir. Lindley said that he desired to
move for an adjournment until Monday
afternoon at 2 O'Clock. He desired the
adjournment for the reason that he
thought the first thing to be done by the
Commission was a selection of Chief
of Police. The selection of Chief was
a most important matter, and further
time should be taken for its considera-
ton. sit is by the selection of the Chief
of Police" said he, "that we determine
the policy of the Board, as to whether
there shall be corrupt or an honest ad-
ministration, and we should not proceed
hastily. l believe it is the desire of the
Board to act in harmony, and this would
not be done if the election of Chief OF
Police were gone into at once"
The Board should act deliberately 90
that the opinion of the people should be
with it in its administration, and Mr..
Lindley said that he would enter vigor-
GUS protest to immediate action, and
with documents which he had in his
pocket, which he did not desire to pro-
duce. He wanted ample time to con-
slider the matter. He said he knew that
the public sentiment was against the
man who had been Snamed by some of
the Board. He wished to impress it
upon the Board that, il an election was
proceeded with at once, there would be
no harmony. If the election proceeded
at once it would not be on account of
any urgency, but on account of personal
motives, and he would put himself on
record as opposing it. If the matter was
put over until Monday, he would be
ready to vote. An election before Mon
day would not be for the public interest.
He closed by saying, "We are elected
here to do our duty, and will not act
hastily"
Mr.. Knox seconded Mr.. Lindley's mo-
tion and said he endorsed and reiterated
what Mr.. Lindley had said and was pre-
pared to sign the written document in
Mr.. Lindley's possession.
Mayor Hazard said that he desired
that any paper to be signed should be
made public. Every man there had
made up his mind and there was no use
for longer delay. A month ago he had
said he would not vote for Mr.. Burns If
any one of the charges against him could
be proven, but no evidence of the truth
of the charges could be produced, and he
was ready to vote.
Major Furrey said that there was a
document in existence and it should be
brought out and made public.
Mr.. Bilderrain also said that he would
like to hear what was in the document
referred to by Mr.. Lindley.
Mr.. Lindley moved to adjourn. Lost
by the following vote: Aye-Lindley
and Knox Noes-Bilderrain, Furrey and
Hazard.
Mr.. Knox moved to adjourn till 10
O'Clock Monday. Lost by the same vote.
Mr.. Knox moved to adjourn until 7:30
p. M. Lost by the same vote.
Mr.. Bilderrain moved that the Board
proceed to the election of a chief.
Mr.. Lindley moved, as a substitute,
that the Board organize and elect its off,
GERS. Carried.
Mr.. Knox moved that recess be
taken until Mayors Clerk Robinson ar
rived. Ruled out of order.
Mayor Hazard called for nominations
for chairman.
Mr.. Lindley said he did not believe in
the Commission being run by chair
man.
Mayor Hazard said he did not want to
run the meeting.
A recess for 80 minutes was then
taken, at the end of which Mr.. Lindley
placed Mayor Hazard in nomination for
chairman. He was unanimously elected,
as was Mr.. Robinson, for secretary.
Mr.. Knox moved that the rule adopted
at a former meeting, to the effect that
ballots should be open, be adopted.
Carried.
Mr.. Lindley moved that the election of
a Chief of Police be postponed until Mon
day morning at 10 O'Clock and asked, ,as
personal favor, that the other members
allow this extension OF time.
The motion was lost by the same vote
as before.
Mr.. Bilderrain moved that the Board
proceed to nominate candidates for Chief
Of Police.
49,. uo1ord paa;0uad b;e choir to