New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-03
A POLICE BOARD SURPRISE.
MR.. WELLMAN CHOSEN TO CONDUCT THE
COMMISSIONERS INQUIRY.
lie WILL ALSO AID MP. ByRNEs IN HIS PRELIM-
MARY INVESTIGATION THE sUPERINTEND-


An unexpected announcement was made yesterday
in connection with the Investigation ordered by the
Police Board into the conduct Of members Of the
force who have been implicated by the testimony
before the Iexow Committee. II was that Assistant
Dstrct-Attorney Francis T.. Wellman had been Sc
lected to the prosecutor IN the cases which
are to be brought before the Commissioners for
trial. When the Commissioners passed. their res0lu-
tons directing Superintendent Ryrnes to go ahead
with the investigation on the day the Lexow Com
mittee adjourned until September they also decided
TO ask the Corporation Counsel 10 designate one Of
his assistants to act prosecutor in the cases which
might he brought to trial 1t supposed at the
time by many persons in the Police department
tina: Mr. Blandy who has assisted In conducting the
most important trials at the Central Office recently,
would be selected for the post OF prosecutor In the
investigation The announcement OF the selection OF
Mr.. Wcl,man caused not only surprise but also some
CONSERVATION In the Police Department. 1t was UNI
dersood also that Mr. Weman would virtually
conduct the Investigation which the Commissioners
had directed the Superintendent to make and thus
in part relieve Mr. Byrnes from duty which was
known to be unpleasant 10 him.
The selection Of Mr.. Weliman to be prosecutor wac
made after consultation in the Mayors office
early In the afternoon. President Martin. OF the
Police Board. went to Mayor Grroy and Cor
poraton Counsel Clark. AMI in the talk between the
officials Mr.. Martin suggested the selection Of Mr.
Wclman because the Assistant D.s,rict-Attorney
was known TO be well versel In matters which per
tanned 10 the Investigation. Mr. Clark left the
Mayor and Mr.. Martin with the understanding that
he would designate Mr.. Weiman II Dissatisfaction
ney Fellows consented 10 the arrangement Colonel
Fellows called 10 the conference later. and he
gave his consent after the Mayor and Mr.. Martin
had talked with him short time. Mr. Martin then
went TO inform Mr.. clark 81 the understanding. and
Mr.. Clark Immediately made the designation. The
Announcement Of Mr.. Wellnan's selection was ma lie
at the Central ONCE late in the afternoon when Mr.
Wc.man went to Mr.. Martins Office ami had
consultation with him regarding the investigation.
Mr.. Wellman also had n consultation with Supern-
tendent Byrnes before leaving the Central once.
a TALK WITH PRESIDENT MARTIN.
Mr. Martin said TO a Tribune reporter. after the
departure OF Mr.. Wellman. This may be the first
time that m Assistant District Attorney has been
designated by the Corporation Counsel TO at ms
prosecutor in cases before the Police Board. but
there "a 'rScal significance In that. as the Cor
poration Counsel might select any lawyer. Mr.
Wcllwan has been chosen 10 all In the investiga
tion because ne IS known 10 be we'll posted In
matters connected with the Police department and
because he has ability to carry tho prosecution
81 cases The Commissioners think that II there
are members Of the department who have been
guilty OF the conduct described by witnesses before
the Senate Committee u IS high time that the de-
partmcnt should be rid 81 such men. We have no
desire 20 cmbarrass tho senate Committee In iis
plain as this investigation proceeds. and hope
that the public and the newspapers will give 10
credit for the good Intentions which We show.
The investigation Will be open and above board.
and there viii be intimidation OF witnesses who
appeared before the committee n we can help Il
Tho Commissioners are 10 30 their duty as public
officials and Il would not Doe right to allow mem
hcrs OF the department who have been guilty OF
misconduct to 80 unpublished for months after AT
tontion had been called 20 their acts. II Is only
fair 20 the Commissioners 90 ray that II the Wit
nesaes before tho committee had appeared here ana
made complaints there would have been an In
vestiFation long ago II VIII b. remembered that
all %, those witnesses have admitted that they
made complaints 20 the Commissioners II
those merchants who have been paving policemen
FOR the 1850 Of tho H,dcwalks. for instance. had
they could have escaIed being blackmailed. They
simply pail inonoy 20 policemen ana not WHISPER
been ready M al; times 20 place policemen on tral
for misconduct, II ctzens would come 20 us WIN
Senate Committee. tho Commissioners cannot
| allow the charges ngainst certain members OF the
force TO 20 without investigation all summer."
| MIR. BYRNEs's ENQUIRY To 60 RIGHT on.
Mr.. Martin also sail tha: the Superintendent
would sim make the preliminary investigation
! called for by the resolution Of the Commissioners.
| but he would be aided by Mr.. Welimnn IN the ex-
! animation Of papers and witnesses. II was TO be
expected. Mr Martin said that tho Superintendent
| would MAKE charges against som" of tho men I'M
/ pIcatod before he had finished his investigation
| in the 81 other mon ana the trials 90 some
members Of the force might be going on before ne
! Commissioners before the investigation In other
cases had been completed. II was not probable. he
said that the trials Of any of the mon implicated
| by the testimony befor" ~" l.rNow Committee
Whie Mr. Martin spoke as Y tho selection %
! Nr Wc..mnn prosecutor would make no differ
| crcc with the duties Of Superintendent Byrnes IN
! The Investigation. th"-e were other officials A. the
Central once VINO said quietly nat Mr We man
| Mr. Byrncs. Il was said had been opposed 10 the
|
| ana be would be CAD to have Mr.. Ne.man take
| charge.
| TIE SUPERINTENDENT SEES MIR. GOFF.
| The Superintendent went to see John W. con-.
the counsel for the Iexow Committee. yesterday
and had A talk with him lasting ha.f an hour.
Later Mr Byrnes would say nothing to reporters
| about his talk with Mr. cor about the nvest!-
| ration which he had been directed BY the Commits
| e,on4rs 10 make. except that he was making some
progress but was no; ready 10 present any com,
| r.aints Mr. COZ said that the Superintendent hal
| called to request the names ana address OF WI,
| ncsscs before the LeEow Committee whch Won Won,
| ne furnished There had been some tax also about
the danger OF iniimidating witnesses VINO may ~, w.
| called bcfor" Ne committee IN Scp'ein.n"' va .
| con intlmatod that the committee might nave .
session before September ana takc some AS,iGn =,
there was any danger ma, WI .r,sI 'V Yoai,essv
pcarel before the committee wou'd be heei'essy
Wr CIR Yesterday received number OF letters
| from persons IA distant parts OF ne couh'ry ~,
mailed from this city since Eeotge -Nppo nih' rh
disclosures as witness before the commlttee. ne
| ,e'te indicate
re carving on their business as usuai IN spite oi
| m. exposure OF their methods. George Apo mas
| c,,o,,aiued that he has been bounded ana threat
cnej hv police spies since he was n witness betotr
the committee and ne has declared also that tnet'
ts ac hnnr a MOT 10 have him arrested and sent "a
prison on a false charge Of picking pockets hi ~;
story Is laughed at by the police VINO say tnat I'
q, p,,,oi, IN he caught picking pockets at any tm'
r. he has the opportunity 10 steal, as ne IS con
trmel thief but that he will not DO sent TO prison
on any trumpcd-up charge. , ., 80,
Corporation Counse. Clark said yes,eruay
,yere not able TO conduct the police Investigation
! but Mr. Martin Ind suggested Mt WeI.mah as
| man who was exceptionally well ntted Tor th'
| work and the other men in the conference, M
| agreed with Mr. Martin. Mr. Welman WI, ~, n
| abe TO receive extra compensation Tor his
"a The prosecutor OF cases before the Police boaru