Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-07-09
THE COMMISSIONERS MEET
Mr.. Lawson Again Protests
Against Detectives.
THE FULL FORCE APPOINTED
Young Pierson Elected Fire
Alarm Superintendent.
All the Appointments Heretofore Made
CONFERENCE.-The. Jester Opposed to sun
day wori--Police Dress Regulations
More Appoint,nents--How the Force
stands at Present.


stands at Present.
The Police Commission held its first
formal meeting in Mayor Willey's Of
flee at the city hall, yesterday week,
Mayor Wiley presiding, Chief Black
burn secretary, and all the members
present.
As everything previously done by the
commission, including the appointments,
had been of an informal nature, most of
the proceedings being prior to Mayor
Willey's qualification as commits
sioner, the whole ground was gone over
again, from the election Of chief of po-
lice to the appointment of dog-catcher.
All the appointments heretofore an
nounced in The GAZETTE were con-
firmed, the patrolmen without opposi-
ton and the officers by vote of two to
one, Messrs Wiley and Jester outvoting
Mr. Lawson in all contests. The latter
nominated Jesse K. Baylls for chief of
police and Thomas Kane and James
w. Agnew for captains, but Chief
Blackburn and Captains Francis
and Kersey were elected by the votes of
Messrs. Wiley and Jester. Mr.. Lawson
also nominated John J. Cloud and
Robert w. Chambers for sergeants, but
the votes of the other two elected j. 9.
Wigglesworth, John M. Stewart, George
w. Ingram and Edward L. Evans, the
first three as street sergeants and the
latter as sergeant of patrol. Subse-
quently Mcssrs. Wiley and Jester chose
Lemuel Mari as the fourth street SER
geant and Mr.. Lawson was given the
appointment of the second house SER
geant, for which position he named
Isaac V. England Of No. 406 Lombard
street.
Before the appointments were con-
firmed Mr.. Lawson entered a formal
protest against the division of the force
politically. He said that at the recent
city election the Republicans polled 54
per cent of the total vote and the Demo-
Gratis 46 per cent. A division of the So
members of the police force on this
basis would give 81 Republicans and ~
Democrats, but he wanted 1t to be shown
on the minutes that the minority had
been allowed only 20.75 per cent of the
appointments. This protest was ordered
to be entered on the minutes.
NO USE FOR DETECTIVES
When it came to confirmation of the
appointment of Detectives Hawkins and
Hatton, MIR. Lawson again entered a
protest against filling these useless of
fees. He said it would be waste of
public money to make these two APP
pointments, az the two detectives ap-
pointed by the governor were ample for
the public service. His objections were
entered upon the minutes.
All the appointments were finally
! confirmed.
A general discussion ensued as to
| what measures should be adopted for
| the government of the police depart
ment. AS to the bond which officers
have heretofore been required to give,
1t was held that it was necessary only
for the chief and house sergeants, as the
| patrolmen handle no money. The SUBJ
| ject was referred to the city solicitor for
his opinion.
The propriety of giving to each officer
written certificate of his appointment
was also discussed, and action deferred
The award of the contract for police
uniforms TO Justis & Davidson, at $1S.T5
each, was confirmed. 1t was announced
that an expert had examined samples Of
cloth submitted by bidders and found
those of Justis & Davidson and J. t..
Mullin s. Son to be identical in quality
and texture, but the former firms bid
was 15 cents per suit lower.
The helmets worn by the patrolmen
at present were readopted, and q bid of
Finn Brothers to furnish them at So
each was accepted. 1t was decided that
the captains shall wear caps and the
sergeants gray derby hats. The patrol
system operators the usua! uniform with
black derby hats; the turnkey the pa
trolman's uniform and helmet.
1t was also decided that each officer
must furnish his own revolver. The
question of nippers and call whistles
was referred to the chief, with instrnc-
tions to select standard in the event
that it is considered the duty of the
commission to furnish these equipments.
JESTER AS A sABBATARIAN.
On the question of keeping the police
accoutrements in good condition Chief
Blackburn said that inspection was
generally made on the first Sunday OF
each month.
"Why is 1t made on Sunday ?" in
quired Commissioner Jester.
swell, Sunday is inspection day in
the army; that's the only reason know
OF" replied Chief Blackburn.
II am opposed" said Commissioner
Jester, "to doing anything on Sunday
that can be done on any other day"
The chief was ordered to procure sta
tionery for the use Of the board. Thurs
day night of each week, at s o'clock
was chosen as the time for holding regu-
lar meetings.
WHITE VESTS AND FLANNEL SHIRTS
The propriety of requiring the police
to wear white vests during the hot
weather was mentioned, but it was de-
cided that the hot season was too faI
advanced to consider this subject now
On the question of flannel shirts, Chief
Blackburn said the men had been given
permission in the past to discard vests
and wear flannel shirts, but that no two
adopted the same pattern of shirt. The
mayor and chief were authorized to
select pattern of flannel shirt which
the officers may wear at any time be-
tween June LIST and September 1st
when they deem il too hot for a vest
and dress shirt and collar. 1t was the
opinion of the commission that the
officer should always have the top but
ton of his coat buttoned when on duty.
The old rules for thc2 government OF
the police were adopted until new rules
shall be prepared.
PUTTING THE BOOT TO AyDoN.
After reading Section 5 of the Police
Commission bill, which gives the COM
mission power to appoint and remove,
at pleasure, all officers of the police and
fire alarm telegraph, Mayor Wiley
moved to proceed to the election of a