The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-23
FAREWELL
Democratic Police Commits
Sioner Ends a Period
Of Splendid Work.
DESERVED COMPLIMENTS
4 Little Difficulty Over Mr.. Wal
ter's Bonds--
President Again.

Police Commissioners Walter took his
place as a member of the Board Of Police
Commissioners this morning and the new
Board organized. There was a delay Of
nearly half an hour in organizing the
Board as there was some question as to
the right of Commissioner Walter to serve
until tie Clerk Of the Board had a certi-
fieate from the Board of Finance showing
that his bonds had been approved.
The old Board met yesterday afternoon
transacted considerable business and adj
Journed. With the adjournment, John P.
Feeney ceased to be. a Police Commissions
er. Everything was harmonious at the
last meeting, Mr.. Feeney even voting in
favor of the numerous appointments made
by the Republican Commissioners.
Early In the meeting, President Aber-
nethy introduced the following resolution
respecting the retirement Of Mr.. Feeney.
which was adopted
Whereas, The retirement Of John p.
Feeney from the membership Of this
Board presents a fitting opportunity
for the expression of our esteem for
him.; therefore be it
Resolved, That upon his retirement
from public life to his private vocation
tC So4 win I'LL III - SOod
wishes of his fellow members of this
Board, for his future happiness and
welfare.
Feeney said.-"Mr. President. l thank you
and your colleague for passing that reso-
luton. In retiring from this Board l
want to return thanks to you for the
many courtesies you have extended to me
as the minority member of the Board. I
think, perhaps, you are a little premature
in saying that I am retiring from public
life. As long as l have a breath of life
in my body and am able to get around,
| shall remain in public life. | am glad,
in retiring from the Police Board, that I
have the good will of my colleagues. I
shall try to retain in the future the
friendships I have enjoyed in the past"
President A~bernethy said that the Board
would be pleased to extend any courtesies
it could to Mr.. Feeney at any time and
would always be glad to see him at its
meetings. Our relations" he said, have
always been pleasant, and while we ave
had our little tiffs they AVE always come
out all right and have come out for the
best in the end"
Commissioners Abernethy and West
were at Police Headquarters by eight
o'clock this morning. The organization
meeting had been set for 8:15 o'clock.
When that time arrived Commissioner
Walter had not yet put in an appearance.
At $50 O'Clock Commissioner Abernethy
sent a messenger for him and he respond
ed at once. The meeting was held in the
private office of the Commissioners, the
First Criminal Court room, where the
meetings are usually held, being occupied
by the court of Police Justice Potts. AS
Commissioner Walter entered the room he
was cordially greeted by the other Com
missioners. Colonel Robinson, clerk of
the Board, always Intensely matter-of-
fact, asked the new Commissioner if he
had anything to show that he was a
Commissioners.
Il have my appointment from Mayor
Hoos,' replied Mr.. Walter.
You are not legally a Commissioner /"
said Colonel Robinson, until your bond
is accepted by the Board Of Finance.
The new Police Board cannot organize
until l nave something to show that your
bond has been accepted"
II filed my bono yesterday said Com
missioner Walter, 'sand Finck said he
would notify you this morning. / under
stand that my bonds were to be brought
up for consideration by the new Finance
Board
Commissioner West-'I don't hin that
the Commissioner can act legally until
he has complied with the law. The law
--xx- ~. - -t-,1 - 80
bonds approved. We know that he has
been appointed a Commissioner, but we
nave not been officially notified. He can1
not act until his bond has been filed and
accepted"
Commissioner Abernethy said:-"I don't
hin such a technicality is necessary.
He has been appointed by the Mayor and
has been sworn in as a Police ComHis
sioner. 1 think that settles it end that
we have a right to go ahead and or
ganize. It is for the Board of Finance
to see that he files bonds for the faithful
performance of his duties and it is none
of our business
Colonel R-obinson-sSThe way I under
stand It is nal the invariable rule for
eighteen years has been that the Com
missioner shall show a paper to the effect
that his bonds have been accepted, before
he can be recognized. I don't want to
delay matters but it seems to me that
thai is the law and we want to proceed
in the right
In the meantime a messenger a been
sent to the Board of Finance to learn
something of Mr.. Walters bonds. but he
was unsuccessful in finding the clerk or in