Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-06
,rr1cERs nE rHE poILcE BENEvoLENT ASSOCIATION.
HeoSVreE

II
mond police force have had an associa-
ton among themselves for many years,
formed for the purpose of mutual assls-
lance and to provide burial in case of the
death Of a member or his wife. Hereto
fore on the death of a policeman, each
member Of this association was assessed
g. and on the death of the wife OF
member 81. This feature. has been merged
into the new association and will still be
continued. only active members OF the
association who are members of the police
force paying the funeral assessment.
THE NEW DEPARTURE.
The prime object Of the new association
IS 10 raise a fund for the purpose OF
granting pensions TO members OF the
force who may be retired by the Ponce
Board on account Of old age wounds or
any other inhrmity due to service 1t Is
not the desire or intention OF the police
force TO let the citizens do everything to-
wards the foundation Of this pension tund,
for besides paying the funeral expenses
Of deceased members, there Will be an
annual assessment of Sc to be applied to
this fund. TO which the subscriptions OF
life and contributing members will alone
be devoted.
80 member of the force is to receive
any benefit while holding his position on
the force, as IL is designed solely for
those who are disabled or retired. The
advantages Of this system will be much
more general than it would seem at first
sight as 1t will not only be the means
Of retiring WORKOUT members upon
Weil-earned competence, but will create
a vacancy on the force to be filled by an
active man.
The officers Of the association for the
first year are: Major b. f. Howard, presi-
dent, Sergeant A. r. Cousins, vice-presl-
dent; Captain j. Il. Angle, secretary; Cap
tain ". l.. Thomas, treasurer. These gen.
temen have been constituted committee
10 promote the interests OF the associa-
ton by the solicitation of subscriptions.
A very attractive certificate OF member
ship has been printed.
HOW THE IDEA ORIGINATED.
The idea Of forming this association
originated with Major Howard, Captain
Thomas. and Mr.. Joseph b. Welsh, VINO
discussed Il one night at the First Police
station The matter was laid before the
commissioners, and Major Howard ana
The captains OF the three districts were
constituted a committee to formulate
plan Of organization. The Cher wrote
constitution and bylaws, which was ap-
proved by the committee in conference
with five officers from each district. A
copy OF this constitution was sent to each
station and To the police Headquarters
and was signed by every member or the
force. The keynote Of its success mas al
ready been sounded in the energy ana
interest aroused by 1t among the mem
bers OF the force.
While no limit has been set 10 thS
amount which 1t Is hoped may be raiseo
from outside sources, the pupnc mas
shown such a keen interest in the CROWN
Of the association that the hope mas peeh
engendered that $4,000 or $1,000 may be
raised. the interest on which, with the
800 subscribed each year by the ACTIVE
members Of the force, would be suihclehs
20 keep the wolf away from the oooiS "a
four or five policemen, VINO may DC
placed upon the retired list ,.>,,,
THE INVESTMENT OF THE fuND'
The investment Of the fund has Deeh
provided for by a finance committee W
b. composed OF contributing members,
who are among the prominent hnanciels
OF the city The largest police oehvs es
lent associations in the world nou'lsnso
30 New York city. and the fund 'neae
has reached such large dimensions t Has
a policeman who Is disabled or retireu
receives a pension which amounts W
considerably more than an active poi0S
man gets in this city.