New-York tribune., 1892-01-06
NEW PRESIDENT or THE POLICE BOARD
JOHN r. vooRHIs CHOsEN-poLITIcAL sIGSIp1'
CANOE OF TIE CHANGE.

JOHN r. vooRHIs CHosEN-poLITIcAL sIGSIF1'
CANOE OF TIE CHANGE.
An unexpected change in the organization Of the
Police Board late Yesterday afternoon caused great
deal OF talk in the department. Commissioner Charles
F. MacLean who had been president Of the Board OF
Police Tor about years retired from that once ana
Commissioner John r. Voorhs was elected president
for ono yesr. The change was agreed upon at ST.
cret meeting OF the Commissioners in the afternoon
In the open session the proceedings were brief ans
harmonious. The motion TO elect Mr.. Voorhs was
carried BY the votes OF Ncssrs MacLcan. McCavc ana
Martin Mr.. voOrhs expressed his thanks for tns
honor conferred and said that he would serve the Dc
partment president 10 the best OF bis aDiuy. io
said later that the change was in keeping with tne
Democratic doctrine OF rotation In oHce ana hso no
political significance. Mr. MacINan refused to connru
n rumor that his retirement from the office OF pres'-
dent in preparation for his acceptance OF anoter
office outside Of the Police Board.
The news Of the reorganization Of the Police BoeN
went among the other officials at the Central omes
be wihKrc. and 1t not long before an expianauon
OF the change was on the tongues OF those VINO Kno"
the secrets OF the department 1t WAS said eias ne
election Of Mr. voorh to the o1lce Of president OF
the Police Board . part OF old agreement made
before the election Of Mr. MacLcan TO that once TWO
years ago After tho retirement OF President FRENCH
Who had been presiding OFFICER several years there vi"
long deadlock in the Police Board over the election
OF prcSldonc. Inc thrcc DViH'~i"oS S"''i~ ~
asrec among themselves and Mr. McClave refused I'D
o,n with the two Tummany members against Mr.
yoorhis who had broken away from the County De'
mocracy ard organizing new Demrratc macHino
in the city. Several weeks passed before Mr.. 'oorhs
yielded and voted for Mr.. MacLesn. IL Is SAID thas
Mr. voorhs then helped to organize the Board on the
express promise that he shch be elected president TIVE
wears later Mr. NacLean reelected year ago. 10
wa, denied YESTERDAY that Mr.. Voorhls's election ~
presdnt of the Board would bring about closer union
of the New York Democracy with Tamnsny llal tnan
existed at the election, and il was asserted tnab
Mr. yoorhis would still remain with the ORGANIZATION
which lie was Instrumental In raising up.
The elec ton CT Mr. Voorhis to an Office which makes
him an OK onico member Of the Health Board caused
astonshment In the Health Department. Mr. MacLean
had been an acceptable member Of the Health Beard IL
was said because tie inspectors and clerks knew thas
he could be trusted TO prevent the Health Department
from being made Il prey for the politicians IL mas
been said often that the Health Department woms
become an intoerable engine for the oppression OF the
mblC and for the collection of party spoil II " ever
feli under the control Of unscIupulous poiticlans
There ha, been rumor In the department lately tras
Nn,sr Croker might secure the appointment OF MS
Por. and ex-oihclo member OF the Health Board
in place OF Dr. smith. who is tire only Republican
len In the Board In such state of uncertainty the
election OF Mr. voorls yesterday did not causc any
Thing like hlaity among the clerks many OF whom
Rppub,cauS