The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-02
ROGERS AGAIN CHIEF.
Police Commission Confirms His
Title to Office.
A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY.
tn settle Doubt the once IL Declared
Vacant and Rogers Re-Eiected-
The school Election.
A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY

The police commissioners settled all
questions of doubt as to who Is chief OF
police last night by declaring the ONCE
vacant and eiecting Bolton Rogers to the
position. The vote was as follows: Ayes,
WaIlingford. Kirkwooi and Mayor Phelps;
nav, Relfe; absent, Cheasty.
The commission waited until after $50
O'Clock for Commissioner Cheasiy. Mr..
Relic and Mr.. WaIiingford both said that
they understood he did not think be
would be present Clerk Wincheli read
the communication, already published,
appointing Bolton Rogers acting chief
until the first regular meeting. Mayor
Phelps then said that he thought the COM
mission had better take action in the
matter.
Mr. Relfe said he though. there was
legal question as to whether the mayor
had right to appoint Rogers independent
of the action of the board. III, however,
the act was legal he lad nothing to say.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Steele
was asked for an opinion on the subject,
and reviewed the proceedings of the police
commission up TO the point where the
mayor appointed Rogers as acting chief.
He said the charter made the mayor the
head of the police department, and he had
no doubt the mayor had a right 10 appoint
an acting chief. The proper proceeding
now would be to declare the office of chief
vacant and elect man to the office. After
q careful investigation he was positive that
the mayor had the inherent right to sus-
pend commissioner pending an investi-
CATION.
"The election of Mr.. Thornton" he
said, was invalid. and at this time there
is no chief of police. 1t is now your duty
to nil the Office"
What steps has Thornton TAKEN"
asked Relfe. ITO assert his right?"
1--WE notified the city clerk not to receive
any papers from Mr.. Thornton. l have
heard unofficially that ne tried to file
papers, but of course they were not re-
ceived''
Wallingford moved that the Office of
chief of police be declared vacant. Kirk
wood gave the second, and the motion
carried unanimously. Mr.. Wallingford
then moved that Bolton Rogers be elected
chief of police. On the roll call Walling-
ford, kirkwood and the mayor voted IN
favor and Relic against.
IL should like TO ask the corporation
counsels opinion as to my right TO vote"
said the mayor.
There's no question about it." replied
Steele.
Not bit," added Relfe: "you have
perfect right to vote"
wei, Mr.. Rogers is hereby declared
elected chief of police. said the mayor.
That means my third bond in four
months" put in Rogers.
.Of course it means another bond. re-
piled Steele
81 guess you can stand it," said Walling-
ford
communication was read from Mayor
Phelps instructing Chief Rogers to detail
officers TO watch the polls during the
school election next Saturday for repeat
ers." On discussion IL was decided to
place the matter in Chief Rogers hands.
with full power to act. Chief Rogers
stated that he would select his best off,
cers to guard the interests OF the voters.
aud if repeating was attempted the guilty
parties would be promptly arrested.
An application for q position on the
force was received from Charles A. Cor
ming.
Commissioner Kirkwood was elected
chairman of the committee on detectives.
The bill or contract of the Sunset Tele-
phone Company for $500 for rent OF teie-
phones from October 10 1894, to October
10. 1895, was referred to Commissioner
Cheasty and Chief Rogers for considera-
ton.