The morning call., 1891-11-30
WILLING TO SERVE.
Many Applicants for the Vacant
Commissions.
Either r. P Hammond or F. S Chadbourue
May Preside Over the Police Board.
Fire Department Fight.

decency cut no figure.
The death of Major r. P. Hammond.
Police Commissioner for thirteen years of
the city and county of San Francisco. best
illustrates this proposition. His body has
not yet been laid away, but il is almost cer-
tain his successor has already been deter
mined upon. At any rate aspirants have
already sought the position, candidates
have presented their claims and conferences
have been held by prominent politicians in
regard 10 the appointment 10 succeed the
dead Commissioner.
The position made vacant by the death Of
Major Hammond is q a very important one.
According TO the decisions of the Supreme
Court thus far rendered it is enc for life.
Considering the present status of politics
in this city the place carries with it an i'm
pOrtance which it would not otherwise
have. The Burns Wilson element of the
Republican party are making every effort
TO secure supreme control of the machine
of the party. They are supposed to have
obtained an advantage recently which will
give them the long hand on the patronage of
the Fire Department. The death of Major
Hammond puts within their reach another
opportunity to further extend their polit-
cal power by securing place OF influence
in the Police Department.
DEEPLY INTERESTED.
In police circles yesterday the greatest in
tereSt was manifested in the matter of the
vacant CommisslOnership. Various specu-
latons were advanced, and many names
put forth as tie probable successor of Major
Hammond.
While the officers were iEdulging in their
tmagnatOns, little conference was going
on Yesterday afternoon In the Palace Hotel,
which, IL was evident, had considerable to
do toward deciding on the successor of the
dead Commissioners Many politicians and
q number # prominent citizens were on
hand. They strulled in in pairs and with
the greatest apparent uncOncern, but 1t re-
CURED no acute observer to discover that
their meeting was prearranged and for
purpose.
Shortly before o'clock General Sheehan
strOlled into the court OF the Palace and
was Joined by Secretary Hall Of the Police
Commissioners and Sergeant Bethel, who
afteTward made several trips TO and from
the old City Hall. The trio had been in cor
yersation Tor some time, when Dan Burns
diamonds CLEANED in the distance, ANNOUNCE
ing the advent of the ambitious Republican
boss. Shortly afterward Mr.. Higgins,
Governor Markham's Private Secretary, put
In an appearance, and with him were Har-
Dor Commissioner A. c. Bassett Prison
Director Irwin {. Stump, j; B, Stetson and
+. ,. ChaubOurne. d. j. MahOney and
Warden AulI of Folsom also joined the
party, which divided into small groups,
there being a frequent Interchange of
chairs. EXDiStrict Attorney Stonehlll ar
rived later Oh the scene, aud made use Of
the ears Of Burns and Higgins for awhile.
Andy LOEdeTb1ck, a minor Republican boss,
lowered on the outskirts of the meeting, and
was an interested spectator I'LL the end.
INFORMALLY DIsCEEDTrED.
While the conference was going On inter-
views were had with various members of
the party who were diseRgaged Although
II NOT hup tor hs.t1
reference 10 the vacant Commits, iOneTShip,
yet il was stated that the discussion was
simply an informal one, and that the APP
pOlntment was as Yet matter OF guess
work aud speculation.
The Tumor was extensively circulated
among The politicians IN and ablut the
hotel that Dan Burns himself had his eve
on the position, and wanted 1t IN order to
personally work the Police Department in
the interests OF his wing II The Republican
party. II needed but little investigation to
discredit this TumOr. When mentioned to
the more prominent members Of tile party
they laughed and said IL was all nonsense.
When Dan Burns himself was asked In re-
gard 10 the matter he stated: There is
nothing in 1t. l would not have the office"
The gOssIPS however, still continued to
wag their tongues. a second rumor stated
that K. I. Hammond Jr., son of the de-
ceased, would be offered the position by
Governor Markham out OF respect to the
long services Of his father. Several proml-
nent members Of the party advanced this
as one Of the possibilities. The idea was
generally secuted, however, it being held
that Hammond was TOO Young for such a re-
sponsible place. 1t was distinctly stated
that K. 2. Hammond Jr hal made no APP
piication for the place, but the idea was
simply advanced as possible action on the
part OF the Governor, through courtesy.
RUMORED CANDIDATES.
One rumor after the other started, none
hai r7rTf bar
any eredence. On the termination Of the
conference il was learned that f. ). Chad
bourne was prominent in the race for the
b. vacant COmmiSsOuership, and would be
recommended 10 the Governor. Chadbourne
Was lnterv LEVIED, but declined to state any
thing in regard TO the matter, saying he
knew nothing about It.
BY the death OF Major Hammond again is
opened the questions # the power to APP
point a successor This question has been
before the courts many times, and still re-
mains practically undecided. TIE three
Police commissioners were appointed by
three Judges Of the State District Court sit
ting in san Francisco. A year after their
appointment the new Constitution was
adopted and the District Courts abolished.
Various attempts have been made to change
the personnel OF the commission, but tile
SuplAme Court held that the appOntees
were not entitled to Office, because the
Superior Court succeeded only to the judicial
functions of the State District Courts. An
attempt to elect Police Commissioners at
city election also proved ahortye, but the
Supreme Court decided that no law has
been provided for such an election.
In accordance with the provision of the
Constitution giving him authority to fill va
cancies wien no other means is provided by
law, Governor Markham will hold that be
has the right TO appoint Major Hammond's
successor. ALI bills introduced in the
Legislature relative to the subject have
failed 70 pass.
TEST CASE.
A test case, in which Frank G. Edwards
seeks TO regain his seat in the Fire Board,
is now before the Supreme Court, and is
analogous to the case of the Police Com
missiOutTs. The decision in this case will
have some bearing on the right of Police
Commissioners Alyord and Tobin to retain
their offices.
Governor Markham's private secretary,
Higgins, was seen ye terday afternoon in re-
gard to lie information, published excu-
sively IN yesterdays CALL, that the Gov
ernor had decided TO appoint John ID. Daily
and William PrOl as Fire Commissioners
10 succeed Commissioners Parsons ana
Martin, whose terms are held 10 expire to-
day. Secretary Higgins stated that he had
not seen the Governor since last Monday,
and had had no conversation with him on
the subject. He would neither admit nor
deny that the Governor had made any such
appointments. II will learn all the particu-
lars Oh my arrival in Sacramento" he said.
From other sources it was learned that
the Governor has made the appoin tmepts,
and that the commissions are already made
out. Governor Markham claims the right
10 appoint certain Fire Commissioners on
the same ground that he will fill the