Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-12-18
NE w4Nrs TO ne NOTIFIED.

| Conference Between the Mayor and the
Police Committee Over the Operation
of the Police Signal SYSTEM A Differ
ence of Opinion Between His Honor
and MIR. Baugh.
A conference was held in Mayor Har-
ringtons office at the city hall, on Monday
night, between Messrs. White, Baugh. Cur
| rem, McKennev and Nandegrift, City Coun-
ellis police committee, over the operation
of the new police signal system. Chief of
| Police Swiggett aud two reporters were also
present.
Mr.. Baugh opened proceedings by stat
| ing that City Council did not feel justified
| in mourning the expense of two extra men
to operate the system.
| Mr.. White followed in the same strain.
He said the appropriation Of the police
committee had been heavily drawn upon,
and they wanted the system, which had
| proved very costly, run at as little expense
as possible.
MIR. McKenney also thought the system
| should be operated without additional eX-
pensc, as it would largely increase the efii-
cheney Of the force, and was equal to 20
| more officers.
| MIR. Curren said that many taxpayers
had called on him and protested against
putting the city to any extra expense for
| operators. As the new system would al
IIlbSt bDHttTulS lilt tullcS vi Unit StTEeitiltS,
he thought the two operators could he
taken from the present force without detri-
ment.
THE MAYORS REPLY.
Mayor Harrington replied at length. 81
have no more right, duty or responsibility
in connection with that system,m he said
than any street boy Hethen explained
that his failure to accompany the Council
when the system was inspected was due to
Il I,,,E
the president of Council would call for
him ut his Eighth street office, when the
police station was the designated place of
meeting.
81 would not take the responsibility of
operating the system continued the
mayor, without notification from City
Council. The Council must give me some
official notice that the system is ready for
work. ! have no right to touch it until
YOU gentlemen who created it to notify
me-
DISPUTED STATEMENT.
The mayor then stated that acting under
what he considered was the approval of
the police committee he had appointed two
men as operators of the system-lXC oun-
Gilman Samuel Chambers and Officer Rit-
tenhollse Subsequently Mr.. Raugh called
on him at his Eighth street office and cor
daily approved of the selection of Mr..
Chambers
Mr.. Baugh-"l never was in your office
in my life. It must have been William II.
QUINN
The Mayor-"I know Mr.. Quinn and
know YOU
Mr.. Baugh-"I never was in your office
in my life. You suggested Mr.. Chambers
as one of the operators TO the police COM
mittee in the Council chamber, one night,
and said there that | thought the selec-
ton a good one"
=.
clear upon the point You came to my
office and commended the selection of both
men. However, this is a question between
you and me-"
Mr.. Baugh--''It is a question for You to
prove your statement. challenge proof"
The mayor then changed the subject
and said the police committee, the night
he conferred with them, said they could
not allow him four extra men, but would
allow him two, whereupon he selected
Chambers and RittenhouSe.
II don't think you had authority from
the committee to appoint two men, said
Mr.. Mckinney "the committee had no
right to give you such authority
well" said the mayor, 81 asked the
committee, If you can't give me four men,
will you give me two and somebody said
they would,n He added that the special
officers at the police station were too much
occupied with other duties to attend to the
signal system, and if ii is good system it
should be worked properly.
"Fhis is on the basis" continued the
mayor, that ] have no authority in the
matter until ii is conferred on me by the
City Council. When the notification comes
to me will give it careful consideration
and act according to my best Judgment.
believe it will be my duty, when Council
sends me the proper notice, TO take it up
and do the best can with it,
Didn't WANT TO WEAR a UNIFORM.
The mayor next read two letters from
ex-Councilman Chambers, one to himself
and the other 10 the chief, declining the
appointment rendered him because lie had
been informed that he would haVeto wear
uniform while ON duty. ~ thought the
position was purely "a clerical one, and
therefore ! decline the honor of wearing
the blue at the clty's expense, he wrote 10
the mayor. In his letter to the Chief he
objected to being considered as on plane
with the ''ordinary policemen" and
added, II am not yet in condition to sacri-
flee all my selt-respect for salary of $50
per month"; Il let him know added
the mayor, Indignantly. that we have
men on the force as good and with as
much self-respect as Mr.. Chambers. told
the chief that in no event would he be re
quired to sacrifice his self-respect' by going
among the ordinary policemen. Z
The mayor maintained that if he took
hold Of the system without notification
from City Council he would he personally
liable for any accidents. lie did not believe
he could operate il without two extra men.
lie was willing to give it a test iii any way
possible, but not unless he was assured lie
would not be held personally responsible.
Chief Swiggett said the new system
would not relieve the sergcants of any Of
their duties, as they would still have to
supervise their men and go over their dis
tricts
he WILL NOT COMMIT HIMSELF.
81 am willing to do all can for the best
interests of the city, resumed the mayor
"but feel that | must have two extra men
to work the system. The force is small
and the specials at police station cannot do
the work. ] am handicapped and tied
down until hear from Council, Thursday
night, what You want me to do. | am not |
going to assume the authority of working
this system until get il from City Council. |
consider that have no authority in the
premises until the Council indicates to me
that it is desired that should operate the
system: Then my answer will go back to
Council, after careful consideration and
according TO my best Judgment
You do not mean to say queried Mr.,
Baugh, that you will operate it when
notified by Council%'
u cannot commit myself" replied the
mayor, till am notified by Council, as
to what / will do. l don't know what
Council will ask me to do
"Iill tell you what Council will do |
said Mr.. Baugh, ",They will ask you to |
operate the system without any extra
oflicers.n
The mayor declined to say further than
that he would await an official notification
from Council and then answer according |
to his best Judgment.
IRIS LIE" SAID MIR. BAuGH.
Mr.. Baugll again referred to the mayors |
statement that he had called on him M his |