Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-13
Police Commissioners Hare Control Of
The Fund Arising from Costs.
susrAlxEp BY clrY ArroaxEY.
He Cites the Law to show That
such Expenditures Are Not Subject
to the Committees Approval
Points Raised by the Accountant.


Council Committee on Police and several
city officials to meet them. so that there
were present Mayor Taylor. and Messrs.
j. b. Walsh. l.. c. Figg, c. G. Bosher,
j. F. Jacob, and d. A. Weinbrunn, of the
Police Board; Messrs. 4. ID. Starke, John
NJ Blanks, and Morton Deane, OF the
Council Committee on Police; Police
Justice John J. Crutchfeld, City-Attorney
Charles V. Meredith, and Specialize
countant Carlton Mccarthy.
When the object OF the meeting had
been stated, Mr.. starke explained that he
had received a communication from Mr..
Mccarthy. the special accountant, giving
as his opinion that the board should ac-
count to the Council Committee on Police
for the expenditures OF the money re-
ceived as costs" Subsequently he ad-
dressed a letter to the Mayor in which
he called the attention of that official
to the matter, and added: "The account
ant claims that the charter provides that
the Police Committee shall pass on all
bills for expenses. Since | have been
chairman OF the Police Committee no
such expenses have been accounted for,
and l desire to call your attention TO
this fact as chairman of the Police Board,
and II the Police Commissioners expenses
have been irregular, so far as this fund
is concerned. desire in the future that
the law shall be complied with"
The Chair stated that instead OF an
swering this letter the conference had
been called.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS OPINION.
Mr. Meredith said he could not see
atlrnr On hsa INlf ri To,
make any report TO the committee In re-
gard to the expenditure of the money In
question. He did not think that 1t was
covered by section 80 of the city char
ter, which, he thought only referred
to money appropriated by the city to
the Police Department and not TO the
cash fund turned over to the board. In
his opinion, section 81 distinctly explain
ed that this fund should be held subject
to the order OF the board, and not turned
into the City Treasury. He also read
to the board from a similar opinion,
which he had rendered in 1891. when
the money of this fund had been legi-
timately used in the purchasing OF he'll
NETS for the members of the police
force. He believed then, and believed
now, that this money should be used
without the approval of the Council Com
mittee on Police.
Section 50. referred TO by Mr.. Meredith.
empowers the Council to fix the pay Of
police officers, and provides that "the
payroll and all bills OF expense on ac-
count OF the Police Department shall be
audited and approved by the chairman
| OF the Committee on Police before pay
ment," while section 81 provides that all
fees and allowances arising from the
| exercise by police officers. of the powers
~.
Grief Of Police, and held subject to the
| order of the Police Commissioners
THE ACCOUNTANTS INQUIRIES.
Mr.. Mccarthy. after hearing the opin-
| ion of Mr. Meredith acquiesced in his
| view, but said he desired to bring up
several other matters in order to obtain
the opinion OF the City Attorney. He
| said he had been informed that the Police
Board had made purchases in 1895 for the
| Police Patrol Department with view
| OF paying for the same out OF the ap-
| preparation for 1896. III that was the case
he would advise the City Auditor not to
| pay these bills.
| Commissioner Bosher explained that In
December last the board had ordered
| two patrol boxes and the necessary
wires. etc, which. however. had not yet
been delivered. The City Council during
| the past year had increased the pay OF
| the two drivers of the patro-wagon SO
| per month each, but had failed to provide
| the necessary money. This amount of
| $40 therefore. had to come out OF the
| Patrol Department and had made that
| account run short.
| City-Attorney Meredith stated that
I, neither the Board of Police Commission
| ers nor any other city department had
| the right to expend 81 beyond the ap-
| preparation made by the City Council.
Commissioner Jacob explained that the
| board had started the patrol system
with 5000. which had accumulated during
five years out of the cost fund.
WAS A JOINT PARADE
Continuing. Mr.. Mccarthy said he had
| found that several years ago the presi-
| dent of the Board Of Fire Commissioners
had paid on account OF his department
| to Mr.. Charles G.. Boshef the sum OF
Nl2. and he had failed to find in the
charter any provision that justified any
such transaction between the two depart
| ments.
Mr.. Bosher explained that about six
years ago the Police and Fire Depart
| ments had a joint parade and inspection,
and the amount referred TO was merely
the share of the Fire Department in the
expenses incurred on that occasion by
the hiring Of a brass band and furnish
departments. However, some of the
members Of the two boards did not ap-
prove at the time Of such expenditure
OF the city's money, and the experiment
had never been repeated.
The City Attorney explained that there
was no doubt that one department could
make purchases from another under GER
tain conditions. but he could not call the
expenditure of the peoples money for a
brass band and supper legitimate.
THEY HAD THE RIGHT.
The last matter taken up by Mr. Nc
Carthy was the following: Mr.. Bosher
on behalf OF his board. appeared before
the Board Of Fire Commissioners and
stated that the Police Board had ap-
piled to the Council for an appropriation
Of $500 to pay for lineman. II that
money was appropriated 1t would be
turned over to the Fire Department, to-
gether with the lneman. who was to
keep In order the police telegraph system
under the supervision of Superintendent,
Thompson, who might also be used by
Mr.. Thompson for other work.
Mr. Bosher and Mr.. Laube explained
that their. department did not have sur-
ficient money to pay the whole salary for
been suggested that the Iineman be en-
ployed jointly by both departments.
Mr.. Meredith gave as his opinion that
II the Police Commissioners needed a
lineman they had a perfect right to ask
for him, and inasmuch as Mr.. Thompson
was In charge of both the fire and police
telegraph. 1t was perfectly legitimate "a
place this man under the control OF Mr.
Thompson.
Mr.. Jacob stated that the Police Board
was ready and willing 10 stand the closest
\ - hA I..I ~