New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-11
MR.. MACLEANS HASTY DEPARTURE.
SURPRISE AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND At
THE CITY HALL OVER HIS ACTION.

SURPRISE AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND At
THE CITY HALL OVER HIS ACTION
officials at Police Headquarters were astonished yes
teday by the announcement that President Charles F.
MacLean, OF the Police Board, had sailed for Europe
on steamship OF the French Line on saturday. II
was sad thas his departure from the city sur
prise 20 nearly everybody In the department Mr..
MacLean was expected 20 preside at meeting Of the
Police Board to-day. He is an ex-ofiico member Of
the Health Board. which may be unable 10 have a
meeting to-day in his absence. His unexpected de-
parure first became known in the Central Office yes
to-day when General Emmons Clark secretary Of the
Health Board went into the Police Department end
Of the building 10 inquire If Mr. MacLean could help
make quowm for a meeting of the Health Board to-
day. Major Kip and other CLERKS were not aware
that Mr.. MacLean had left the CITY, and IL was not
until General Clark had found Mr. MacLean's private
secretary that the announcement Of the Commits
siOner's trip to Europe was made.
one official at Headquarters said Mr. MacLean's
habit Of doing unexpected things is so we'll known in
the department that nobody be surprised that he
went away without telling anybody here of his in
tentions. II he failed tO inform the other Commits
sioners the Mayor in advance OF his going he may
have made himself liable to charges. Common courtesy
least should have prompted him to give informa-
ton TO his fellow Commissioners regarding his ex-
pected trip TO Europe
Sir. MacLeans politeness too well known to
the Tribune reporter who heard this officials state
to permit of belief that the Commissioner had
been discOurteOus to his associates and little In
quify established the fact that Mr. MacLean had
spoken TO Commissioner Martin on the subject on
Wednesday. saying that he might be called to Europe
on business The other Commissioners were not at
Headquarters yeseNisy, but Inspector Byrnes said II.
also had been informed in advance Of Mr. MscLenns
departure Pressing business had fastened the trip,
il was said. and the Commissioner might be absent
about month His absence will not affect the work
Of the department at this time except it NAV
Law the retirement Of few policemen for age includl
ing Captain Copeland of the Charlesst. squad, and
possibly may delay the appointment Of police matrons
Mayor gave tokens of surprise when he learned
that Mr. MacLean had gone. az have received no
official information of his departure" the Mayor said
but he declined to admit that any discourtesy
tended by Mr.. MacLean's neglect to give the usual
notice of his departure.
at has been the custom since have been Mayor"
Mr. Grant added. for Commissioners, ard especially
the heads Of the several departments 10 send word
when they 20 upon their vacations. No law eniOins
this that I of. 1t is simply matter Of
official courtesy. believe that the custom dates
many wears back. Why President MacLean neglected to
observe it the slightest idea, and certainly
have no desire TO impute any motive to him in the
matter
The Mayor was not inclined to discuss the compics
tons which might grow out OF the Commissioners I'M
beralded departure He did not believe that il would
throw the machinery Of the city government much out
of gear -.-. l., -. -4.o m, =.
was said at the City Hall yesterday that 50 carefully
was his proposed trip KEEP from the PgO a
Of the steamship upon which he sailed The report
that Mr. MacIean went ancoGnito" because he wanted
the mystery Of Jack the Ripper was not credited
" Al Cormiss0ner MacLean's Office No 90 Nassau-st.,
II was said Yesterday afternoon that he mad gone 10
Europe with his wife on little TScaaoR; tb was 1s
forming his friends.