The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-13
THE CITY WELL PROTECTED
Two Police and Fire Departments Ought
ODE Enough for Ordinary Purposes.
Pending an Early Judicial Decision, the Dou.
bic Force Of Patrolmen Will Act-Reporter
Grifiths's Petition to the Supreme Judges.
THE DOUBLE SERVICE
Two Police and Fire Departments Ough
Keep the City Safe.

the new Oh-shOot, under the management
ofCaptain Colbert, has attempted organiza-
ton, and as result many of the city districts
yesterday were vigorously guarded by four
patrolmen instead of two, the usual num-
Der. According to the summons issued at
the police headquarters night before last
the Democrats met at Room sc, in the Court
house, yesterday morning at 10 o'clock,
where the preliminary steps necessary for
the organization of the force attempting to
act under the direction of Captain Colbert
were carried out. Earlier in the day the
Captain filed his bond for $1,000 with
Thomas Taggart as security, while Smith
Myers signed for Sergt. Quigley, and Robert
Greenum and James Deharity for Timothy
Splann. Colbert took charge of affairs
during the organization, although the men,
bers of the board claiming to act were all
present, and Deputy Sheriff Samuel Cor
Daly swore In thirty-one patrolmen, all
Democrats. After this, Mr.. Holt, who had
been chosen president of his set of commits
sloners. delivered a short speech to the
men, urging them to strict adherence to
duty and to recognize the other patrolmen
vlded into day and night details, the first
numbering ten men and the latter twenty
one, with appointments to the various dis
trlcts and runs. The men went on duty at
hsS could s S SaTng a day
In accordance with Captain COlbert's Or
ders the force assembled for roll-call at z
o'clock last night, and for instructions. Il
want to say few words to- you, gentle
men," said Colbert, "in regard to your du-
ties. You are to go at once to your districts
and there preserve order You are ordered
not to notice any of Travis's men as being
vested with any official power, and if you
taKe your men rsnf nrst 70 the sta
bring them here, slate them and take them
to the county Jail. And there is one other
thing about which / wish to caution you.
Do not, under any. consideration, whether
liquor while this trouble is going on. 1
want to urge that point; do not drink at
all. BE careful in regard to all things, and
DO your duty is all we ASK After the
Captain had spoken Mr.. Holt addressed the
men. telling them, in case they needed
patrol wagon during the night. to tele-
phone Frank Bird for carriage at his
!H0lt's) own EXPENSE. as the regular wagon
+ yet in the hands of Superintendent
Affairs at the regular police headquarters
proceeded very much as usual all day,
there being no clash with the new patrol
men. Superintendent Travis is left with
force Of hfty-three men, fOrty-One of whom
are Republicans, the entire number ON the
original force, and twelve Democrats, who
refused to follow Colbert. Edward Buscher
and William HOefgan, two Democrats, who
seemed at first inclined to sign with
Colbert, were reinstated under Travis
yesterday afternoon. Last night at roll
call the superintendent instructed his men
to greet the others with politeness and as
citizens. but to disregard their assumed of
orders he said to a reporter. .as Colbert
did over at the courthouse. understand
he requested his men to abstain from drink
ing during this trouble but l do not
think it my duty to give such orders to my
men, for that is prescribed in their oath.
They have acted very well, so far, and 1
think can trust them in what Colbert con-
siders this great trouble without reminding
them every night"
"Will you take any men whom the other
mo, do not see how we can recognize
| them in any way. They will have to find
some other place to house their prisoners if
they make any arrests"
The matter is now where it will receive a
| final settlement, for the board presumptive
has made demands and they have been re-
fused. Its only. course is an appeal to the
courts, and 1T is understood that a suit to
that effect will be filed early this morning.
| All day yesterday there was crowd around
| the station-house, many anticipating a riot,
but there is no disposition on the part of
| the Holt board to employ force in asserting
say that they intend to hold their own
| until the court decides the matter, and it is
| probable that until that time comes Indian
apolis will have two police forces, which,
combined is only the old force in numbers
and strength.
The same attempt that was made to capt
ure the police station was likewise made
| at the headquarters of the fire department
| yesterday afternoon. At o'clock the Holt
c cah on Chief pDogghsrty and presented
| the following written demand for posses
| sion:
| To Frank L. Dougherty. late Chief Fire En-
| gineer OF the Fire Department OF the city of
Indianapolis, Ind:
Sir-The undersigned. Commissioners of the
Board of Metropolitan Police and Fire Depart
inform you that they have duly qualified and
| gained as the Board OF Metropolitan Police and
| Fire Department of the city of Indianapolis, by
uel V. Perrott as secretary, and that they have
| elected Joseph III. Webster chief fire engineer,
and have appointed complete list of fremen to
serve In the IRE department OF the city OF Indian
| apolis, and to take possession of and OPP
crate. the, engines, hose-reels, ladders,
ana other Of the sad etT as
| do now demand that you surrender to said board,
| all enginehouses, engines, ladders, hose-reels,
ments and property OF every nature and descrip-
ton belonging to the fire department of said city.
And TO the end that the property or the citizens
| be not endangered by any conflict OF authority,
| we now request you to name an hour of this 10Th
| day of March, 1889, at which you will transfer
to said board of Metropolitan Police and Fire De-
| partment, formal possession and control Of all
| engine houses, engines ladders, hosereels,
| horses, wagons, books, records, and all equip
| ments and property Of every description belong
| ing TO the fire department of such city.
| STERLING X. HOLT,
ROBERT 4. CATTERsON,
| VIM. SULLIVAN.
| MARCH, 12, 1889.
Chief Dougherty replied that, in accord
ance with his orders, he could not comply
with their request, whereupon Mr.. Holt
announced the new fire force, which is sub
| stantially ths same as the old
one, with the exception of its
chief. The board presumptive and
Mr.. Webster then made the tour of the sew
eral houses, and by all the men they were
| informed that they would recognize no man
as their chief but Dougherty, which was
given as voluntary decision, for the men
were all left free to make any choice they
| pleased. IL informed all my men this aft
ernOon." said Chief DOugherty last night,
that Mr. Webster would call on them, and
that left them perfectly free to choose their
man. / understand Webster was unable to
find fireman who would desert. Our depart
ment is little different from the police.
| for it would be impossible to establish an
other one in the city while we have the
engine and the electric-bell system.
A telegram from Evansville last night