The evening world., 1894-01-10
Mr.. PLATT, he SMILES
Non-Partisan Police Board Bill a
Crafty Move.
Root, Reid and Others We're at
Work on an Opposition Bill.
U. s. District Attorney Mitchell
States Some Objections.

The so-called non-partisan police bill,
introduced in Albany last night and
which was published in full in this
mornings World" has set the politi-
cal pot boiling at a lively rate in this
city.
Every one surmised that a bill bear
ing on the subject would be intro
duecd soone or later, and several days
ago its provisions were outlined in 1.-The
World" The surprise this morning Is
over the fact that the bill is the means
of causing open warfare in the Re-
publican camp, the end of which 1t Is
difficult to see.
The bill is the outcome of the deal en-
tered into between Boss Plat on the one
hand and Boss Croker on the other. 1t
legislates the present Police Commits
sioners out of office and provides for
the appointment by Mayor Gilroy of four
other Commissioners within ten days
after the passage of the act.
Two Commissioners are to be Repub-
lican and two Democrats. They are
to hold office for the terms of four and
six years respectively.
For req sons which are at once APP
parent to the public, the bosses decided
upon that measure.
Tn reform element of the Republican
party was. however. against II. and II
was mainly for the purpose of adopting
some other scheme that Whitciaw Reid
gave his dinner to Republicans on Mon
day night.
Tn matter was talked over there, but
Mr.. Plat, who was one of the guests.
could not be brought around to the, re.
formers way of thinking. They wanted
10 do away with commissioners alto
gether, and vest the full power In the
Superintendent, who would, of course,
be directly responsible to the Mayor.
MIR. Piatt left the festive board long be
fore the other guests, and after. his de
parture a COMMITTEES was appointed "a
meetings Of any kind since.
Eiihu Root was the Chairman of the
Committee and Assistant DistrleinAt,
the bill which was introduced last night,
nor. in fact. did they have the slightest
idea that any such measure was to
Mr.. Plat. however, knew all about
the bill, for he admitted as much when
seen at his Office at 40 Broadway by, an
81 knew, of course" he said, that
there was such a bill, and that It would
be introduced sooner or later; but did
not know 1t was to have been introduced
last night.
Beyond this" he added. II decline
TO say anything. ! will not discuss the
bin In any manner at this lime and
Mr.. Plat smilingly turned away.
We'll, / am a of a committee
appointed to draft such a bill, and !
know nothing whatever or this one,
Mitchell. 'In the absence of the bill,
which l suppose we VIII get a draft OF,
DO not think 1t would be wise for me
to talk about 1t. Our committee has no,
met at all yet, nor do ] know when II
will. Mr.. Root Is the chairman, and hc
will be the first to take action.
Now, while don't express any opin,'
i0t th IN ne I m mei's Safely 9i 'h polh Rar r;'G ao,ne e' o.
sidered.
IN the first place the public is wei
aware that for years there was an hon
orable understanding between both pc
litlcal parties that we should have "A non
partisan Police Board.
The public also knows how that mon
orable understanding has been broken
The law was not specific enough, ano
left the Mayor to appoint whom hi
Nov, what the public wan Is {
board. a commission or a something
which can be held directly responsible
Even with four Commissioners equally
any party be held r~esponsible?
offences which are daily charged, for tn,
! Which are daily limited at. 1t would b'
Impossible to put our finger upon any
SThen again. If we are to have a non
! partisan board, why should there b,
i four members, with all the eXpens,
which that implies? Would not two h
Sufficient?
"Of course | want you distinctly t.
Understand that ! suggest nothing.
simply point out the arguments TO b.
Weighed before such a bill passes"
Elihu Root was not at his office whel
rThe Evening World" reporter called
md Mayor Giiroy; Il was announced
The story generally believed In politica
ssirclcss; however, Is that Everything IA,
through, platt and Croker using IL.
whips. freely; and that Gov, Flower vii
a law 1t Is believed that both Commits
sioners McClsve. an alleged Republican
and am MaeLean' Independent Democrat
1t is also believed that either Martil
or Sheehan will make way for ex-Regis
ter John Reilly, Tammany leader OF tn
Tenth District, who has long deslre'
such an appointment.
The odds arc i'm favor of the retire