The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-29

land aud Seery individually, but did not
have any conversation on the subject you
speak Of"
Were the police captains changed to
different precincts on account of their re-
ceiving blackmail?"
mo. sir. We also depended on Super
lntendent Byrnes TO see the captains did
their duty and we believed him TO be
capable and efficient officer"
He acknowledged that requests for
transfers of captains were made by friends
OF the captains and politicians, but he did
not think transfers thus made had any
detrimental effect on the department. He
denied that any friction had occurred be-
tween Superin tendent Byrnes and himself.
In reply to further questions as to the
payment OF money Commissioner Martin
said: 81 have heard of money being paid
for promotions in the Police Department
and also of money paid for appointments
on the force. never could get any sub
stantial information on the subject. ANY
man whom I recommended never paid any
money. as would not be party to such a
thing. If L knew man paid money he
could not get on the force or remain on il.
During the session of this committee |
very sorry to have been connected with
the department while such testimony was
brought out. BY no act of mine have /
contributed to such state of affairs. It
may possibly continue when we are all
dead and gone. as it has been said it has
occurred since this committee has been sit
ting"
Mr.. Golf then read long list of written
recommendations from various persons in
office ranging from Governor Flower
down, for appointments on the force of
their friends. AS to the appointing of
police captains, the Commissioner said all
men being equal in the examinations. he
took the recommendations of his pol itical
friends and this gave them the preference.
Mr.. Golf then said: 81 saw General
Miles few days ago and he told me that
when Colonel Rice was organizing the po-
lice force for the Chicago far. no apuli-
cant who came with a recommendation
was appointed, and in consequence that
force was the best organized on this CONT
nent."
II have great reasons for doubling Gen
eral Miles or Colonel Rice's statements as
to the best force" said Commissioner
Martin. Continuing. he said: "For
physique and intelligence the New York
force cannot be excelIed by any other
city,"
ut has been shown to be the most de-
PRAYED and corrupt" retorted Mr.. Golf.
well, there has not been an investiga-
ting committee in other places yet" was
the rejoinder.
''Have you brought your bankbooks
with you, Commissioner"
''Yes." And the witness produced two
books and several check books. which be
handed to Mr.. Golf. He then made his
statement about his possessions:
81 have at present $500 in the Union
Trust Company and 1856 iu the Empire
State Bank. / hold no mortgages nor
certificates of deposit In my own nor in any
other persons name. l bought the house
in West Sixty-fourth street in 1887 for
$4,000, where my sister and family live.
and in 1892 I bouEht another house for
$3.50 l paid $50, 600 and there is still
a mortgage Oh it for $4,000. This is all
am worth in the world / was appointed
Police Commissioner in May. 1889, and
out of my yearly salary of $4,000 l have
saved $4,000 annually"
Mr.. Martin was then requested to be
prepared to come before the committee to-
morrow, and replied: "At any time the
committee desires / will be at their
service"
Mr.. Martin then left the stand, and an
adjournment was taken until tomorrow
morning.