Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-07
TO THE COURT
The Ten Policemen
Still Idle. '
MAYOR IS FIRM.
Shows Falsity of Re-
publican Position.
CLAIM OF OFFICER MACKEL.
Two Aldermen Vote to Give Him
Nearly $4,000.
CLAIM OF OFFICER MACKEL,
Two Aldermen Vote to Give Him
Nearly $4,000.

nt tuTOc hcDuDllChn hlucTDltn tx0I-
cised considerable common sense last eve
ming. They acknowledged they might
have been wrong in calling tho meeting
when Mayor Carroll was away and al
lowed the matter to be settled by the
Supreme Court.
meeting, and the Clerk read the following
communication from the Mayor:
MAYORS OFFICE,
PAwTUcKET, II. l., July Q, 1892.
Gentlemen OF the Board OF Aldermen:
Since my return from the, Chicago Con.
vention, have learned that meetings Of
the City Council have been held, and that
certain acts have been done which / con-
slider to be contrary to the letter and spirit
OF our City Charter. l believe that the
President Of the Board of Aldermen had
no legal right TO call a special meeting of
the City Council upon the day when the
call was issued, nor do believe that the
Charter contcmplates, lat any time, any
such action In the absence OF the Mayor
when IL is known that such action is only
temporary, and when no grave reason
exists for extraordinary haste. 1t has
been well known that was to be absent
from the city during the holding Of the
Democratic Convention at Chicago. In
fact, it has been known since last March.
Therefore, any matters which the citizens
desired TO have done, could have been
done before my departure, or could have
been held over during the six days of my
absence. Besides, II the majority OF this
Board had desired to enact any ordinances,
they have had the power to do SO at any
time while was in the city.
From the first day OF my Inauguration
down to the present session Of the Board
l have endeavored to point out the way
for the majority to act, but my advice has
not been needed. / have refused to call
special meetings and thus gain a partisan
the majority have been absent, and I am
surprised that gentlemen OF the City Gov
ernment, who know that am telling the
truth, should take advantage Of my short
abse.ice, and thus keep the city In a tur-
moil, which has prevented and promises
to prevent any and all advances i'm this
city for the coming year.
There was no emergency which required
a meeting OF the City Council during my
six days absence. The Chief of Police,
who, under the charter, acts under my
orders, had full power and authority to
engage for temporary service, the large
number OF special policemen whom you
have confirmed upon my appointment.
II the emergency arose, he could not only
call upon them, but also upon the citi-
xens for assistance.
Therefore, when upon my arrival home
found that the new policemen had been,
as the majority OF this Board pretends to
believe, appointed, Immediately saw
that their appointment was contrary to
law, and in order to prevent expense to
the city, notified them through the
Chief OF Police, that, while did not at
all recognize the legality OF their COM
missions, for the purpose of saving ex-
pense, and any question, they were
suspended.
The ordinance under which they were
appointed reads as follows: "The perma-
nent police OF this city shall consist Of
not more than 10 police officers, whose
manner OF appointment, rights and privi-
legcs, powers and duties, shall be In all
respects as set forth In the city charter,
the ordinances OF the city and the general
provisions OF the law"
trust that you will pay particular at
tention 10 the wording OF this ordinance,
which was evidently written hastily, and
with forgetfulness OF the law attempted
to be repealed.
Clause 2 of section OF chapter 6o3 OF
the Public Statutes, which amends our
charter, says among other things relative
to the police force, that $50 many and such
police officers, including the Chief OF Po-
lice, as the ordinances OF the City Council
may determine" }" may be appointed. The
ordinances OF the city in reference 10 the
permanent police force, which an attempt
has been made to amend says that one OF
the police officers shall be designated az
Chief, another as Captain, sndsHpther as
ssrg~F. Yotf4p n Bfe3See that
tbeofdinance passed during Mya bsence
has not provided f6t sGhs eohtinuspce OF
the present officers ~ ths head of the de-
ua RI meot! do not trrxn~uawe a. scttrp,