The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-14
ELECTED OFFICERS.
Meeting of the Police Department Al
assoeiatiou.

bttetAhs VI the department ala
Association.
The Widows and Orphans Aid Associa-
ton of the Police Department held its regu-
lar meeting yesterday in Police Court 1.
The question of the disposal of the insur-
ance money of Policeman Alexander Grant,
killed some time since while arresting NJ.
B. Curtis, aud amounting to $1,000. was
brought up, and it was decided to give it to
his sister, Al lice Grant, who is now in a
the illogical sem mary in Boston. This &C
ton was taken as 1t was shown that during
his life Grant had frequently expressed the
wish that such disposal Of his life insur-
ance should be made.
In the case of Policeman jeremiah Cotter
who was killed by his wife few weeks ago,
action was deferred until next month.
The Secretary read the following eulogy
Commissioner, presented by Counselor AL
fred Clarke:
Resotred, That this association realizes with
profound sorrow the loss which the community
has suffered IN the death OF Major Richard r.
hammond. Major Hammond was graduate Of
West Point Military Academy, and In due course
he obtained his subordinate rank In the army.
about The time oil thS Independence OF Texas.
He saw service on the frontiers, and there dis
played such heroic courage and such intrepid
GOODNESS in the face OF danger that promotion
followed promotion until he attained high rank
IL the army.
When our victorious eagles fioated over the
establishment OF civil government in the cities
which had been Captured by the troops OF the
United States The treaty OF QueTetaro and the
sdIspersiO on OF the army brought him 10 Califor-
MIA, and here, with other kindred spirits, he
participated IN laying broad aud d ep The foun-
datiOns OF civil COVE nment, which have proved
their superiority amid all the changes aud con-
vulsions which can affect the affairs of life. His
executive ability aud expInsiy- knowledge
placed him In the front OF every great improve
ment; and our PEOPLE are much Indebted TO his
genius Tor The perfection and efficiency OF our
present railroad aud telegraph service.
In 1873 new Police Commission was de-
handed by our people, and on April 9th OF that
year he was appointed. together with MS two
colleagues, who still survive him In this board.
Without dissenting voice he was chosen Presi.
dent, which office he ably filed until the ending
of bis life. In he discussion. consideration and
decision OF the many difficult and important
questions constantly arising IN the management
OF the police OF a large city he displayed wonder
acute, bis penetration powerful, bis discernmeut
far reaching, his sense OF justice never failing,
his Kindness and pity deeper than the unfalhoni-
able CULTS Of human misery and mi siortuue.
The death OF such man would be loss In
any city or State, no matter how well governed
or how prosperously situated. But when that
three arpontees, and conviction Is forced on
Us that one-tlIird part of our effective force Is
gone and vanished from our sight, absent from
our perception. that chair now empty that
sweet smile OF pity which always gathered
around hts mouth when he brought forward the
good points IN the officers character, the miti-
eating circumstances, the proyocation the
probability Of Improvement aud reformation, are
all with US in memory after the mortality which
gave them expression has gone and faded from
our sight.
We saw him in the cold embrace OF DEATH
The heart which quail ed not as it scaled Chapul-
tepec and triumphed on the heights of Mexico
saw no terrors in the advent OF the silent angel
death. Prepared for The event, the hero
marched to death with military glee, bearing In
his strong right hand the fadeless palm OF I'M
mortality. Thus we submit to the Inevitable,
and fall as the leaves. We record the event. wet
I'D ftta ,,d
was about II years old when his ears tingled as
he read OF the slaughter at the Alamo and
Golad and with haste he packed his gripsack
II ayenge those cruel murders, and when the
President electrified The country with bis proc
lamailon War existsl War exists by the act of
Mexico!' our comraoe was In his stirrups, with
his back to the northern considerations and his
face toward The southern cross.
Reynolds, Bragg, Hammond and others served
their batteries so well that the march OF Scotts
army from Vera Cruz TO the City OF Mexico was
pean, a song OF triumph all the way. Here the
coDquerers dictated peace, and the Mexicans
paid for the murders Of Tanning and his 800 ali
we asked as satisfaction.
Before the advancing hosts Of Scott the Alps
OF Mexico melted into military roads. and at the
roll OF our now vanished drums the Mexican de-
tenders asked the rocks to hide them from the
keen-eyed vlctors: Such were the men of whom
so few are left. "And their hearts though stout
and brave, still like muffied Drums are beating
funeral drums are beating funeral marches 10 the
grave"
We have carried the remains of our friend to
the cold resting place appointed for all living.
de has now Joined Tanning and his 800, who
suffered martyrdom In 1887. But he remains
enshrined IN our memory as a patriot, statesman,
soldier, civilian husband, fail her, friend, and his
monument will be tile glory of the country which
he served so faithfully and well.
This finished the routine business. and
the remainder Of the afternoon was occupied
with the annual election of officers, which
resulted as fellows: President. Sergeant w.
L. Coles; Vice-President, Sergeant A.
Houghtaling; Recording Secretary, Officer
Elnanniot
Henry Gleason; Treasurer, Sergeant j Ohm
Duncan; Trustees-Sergeant John Spillane,
Officers F. w. Riley, J. w. Flynn, Charles
Callahan, P. Mcmahon.