The herald., 1897-05-07
CANDIDATES ARE FALLING OFF
MR.. INNES SAID TO LEAD THE
PROCESSION
The Mayor Is Taking No Part in the
Contest-He Defines His Po-
sition-City Hall Notes

member of the police commission, noi
does there appear to be any likelihood
that the matter will be dropped until
that gentleman's successor is elected.
In fact, new element was added yes
terday in the shape of rumor to the
effect that while Commissioner Wyman
had his resignation all prepared and
ready to send to the council, it would be
withheld for the time being. and if a
Democrat could be found to take the
place and accepted it, who was agreeable
to all concerned. that gentleman would
continue as member of the board.
So far it is stated as positive fact
that no one has been definitely agreed
upon as successor to General Forman
Quite number of names have been con-
sidered, but so far as known none OF
them have as yet enough votes to insure
election. 1t is stated that President
Silver has now taken an active inter-
est in the matter and spent all the fore
noon yesterday in canvassing Los An
geles street to find a man among the
wholesale merchants who would take the
place. 1t is said that of half dozen or so
approached on the subject none would
consent to allow the use of his name
The search, however. was being kept up,
and another canvass would be made to-
day.
It was stated that of those who have
been mentioned in connection with the
place, ex-Councilman Innes, Hon. John
j. Humphreys and John Chanslor meet
with most favor; in fact, that the contest
has practically narrowed down to these
three gentlemen, with Mr.. Innes in the
lead, and that if an exceptionally good
candidate is not secured one of them will
be selected. Mr.. Innes' main strength
is said to be Mayor Snyder and Council
man Nickel, and the latter gentleman
is understood to be making his fight. Mr.
Nickel Is also reported as having re-
pented of his hasty action in voting for
the removal of General Forman, and is
quoted as saying that the matter should
have been deferred for at least a week
in order to have gone through the SEM
blance of an investigation, which would
have looked better. Mr.. Chanslor is
from the Fourth ward. and presumably
would have to secure the support of Mr.
Silver as that gentleman represents
that bailiwick in the council. Mr.
Chanslor has never held any public po-
sition, though he did run for councilman
four years ago and was defeated Mr..
Humphreys has had experience as a po-
lice commissioner, having been member
of the board under the old charter, when
1t was composed of the mayor, chief of
police and president of the council, he
holding the last named position. During
IJ,,v, \ 1x-et 4 ,;.-t,,,
of the most radical departures in police
administration ever made in the city took
place, and in the fight that then took
place antagonisms We're created which
have never been healed.
Ex-Police Commissioner Long, whose
name has been mentioned more or less
prominently in connection with the place.
authorizes the statement that he has
never been a candidate in any sense of
the word, nor has he ever authorized any
one to use his name in that connection.
Mayor Snyder, when questioned,
stated that he had nothing to say. He
was taking no part whatever in the con-
troversy as to General Formans sue
cessor, as he had taken no part in the
movement for his removal. By virtue
OF his office as mayor he was chairman
OF the board, presided at the meetings,
and took part in the deliberations, bu,
he did not think that it was any part of
his duty to attempt to interfere with the
prerogative of the council in appointing
the other members of the board and he
had never done so. This right was con-
ferred on the council by the charter and
the members of that body were respon-
slble.
AS to the talk about the suppression of
reports on officers, Mr. Snyder said these
reports had never been filed as part Of
the records of the board. They were
reports made by the sergeants to the
chief and had merely been brought over
for the commissioners to look at He
could not see that any good would resul,
from making these reports public and
had sent them back to the chief, in whose
they are now.
The following letter was sent to the
Express by the mayor, which was pub /
lished yesterday afternoon:
To the Editor of the Express:
Statements to the effect that the re-
moval of General Forman from the
Board of Police Commissioners was in .
obedience to demand from me as May /
VI tlIdl tIe ltSDJ ullOllS OlLe1eQ by COun- I
Gilman Hutchison were either drawn up /
by me, or at my suggestion, and that .
those concerned in the undertaking were .
in active consultation with me, their ac-
tion being the result of an agreement to
which was party, are statements alb .
without foundation.
My relations, officially and socially.
with General Forman have always been .
most pleasant. I entertain high opin
ION of him as business man and citi-
zen. 1t is true that we did not alvavs
agree on all questions that came before |
the Police Commission, but this was to
be expected, of course.
The first intimation received by me |
that an effort was being made 10 re-
move General Forman from the Board |
came from member of the staff of the
Evening Express, who called at nv of |
flee Monday, May Sd, and said he had
been informed that there was an effort |
being made in that direction. Yours re-
spectfully, NJ. p. SNYDER, Mayor.
Ready for Acceptance
The work of street ir1pro,-ar,a,4 &. a.