New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-01
THE NEU POLICE COMMISSIONER.

Whatever significance the filling Of the vacan-
cv in the Police Board may prove to possess in
the domain Of politics, II is good ming III one
respect namely that II puts an end 10 state OF
affairs which was improper If not exactly He
Gal The vacancy was created by the Mayor on
MAY p. and for almost six weeks, therefore, the
Police Board has consisted Of only three mem
bers. OF course. IT is admitted that an officer
In whom the power Of appointment is vested Is
entitled TO a reasonable time in which 10 make
his selections He cannot he unduly hurried ny
such provision of law as that which requires
the Police Board to consist of four members
ON the other hand there must obviously he
some limit TO procrastination. ana most persons
have probably thought that the Mayor reached
the limit some time ago in this matter OF sue
cessor to Mr.. Philips.
Doubtless the Mayors problem has been n
perplexing one. and his solution or II Is almost
AS much so The new Commissioners Mr. Abeli'
is not reckoned a Machine Republican by any
loose classification There are few men among
his followers whom Mr.. Platt has more persist
emily taken care Of His solicltude has some
times been expressed in the form of appoint
ments and sometimes In the form or nomina-
tions. The latter have not been so unlfoNnly
satisfactory to the beneficiary rs the former,
but unless he is more ungrateful than he has
ever been supposed TO be Mr.. Abel must con
slider himself Mr.. Platt's representative In the
Police Board And yet II was not very long ago
that MI Platt's spokesman were declaring thar
no member Of the organization could remain a
member Of II one moment after accepting the
place made vacant by the removal Of the Ia
mented Philips Naturally there Is an eager
search for the explanation Of this phenomenon.
and naturally also Of the first suggestions IS
that Mr. Plat has forgiven the Mayor for
breaking faith with him. that their former ALI
once has been recemente0 and is in good work
Ing order again and that nothing Will be done
at the extra session of the Legislature to inter
fere with the smooth operation Of the municipal
machinery.
If this is the meaning OF the performance the
extra session will be watched with uncommon
intcrest OF course, the Legislature cannot act
upon any subject which the Governor has not
recommended for consideration, but, equally of
course II cannot be- compelled TO act upon any
subject which he does recommend. and 1t Is pos
sbe that nothing done may he the outcome
OF all the pother Of the last six weeks over po-
lice and election matters In itself apart from
It's political meaning and consequences. OF when
more will be known hereafter. Mr. AbcllS ap-
pointment will probably be considered Just
about as good one as the Mayor could have
been expected to make. For Mr.. Abel Is
man Of excellent personal character, and mas
always been faithful and Jealous Republl-
can. II will be interesting 10 observe 10 what
extent his Repubcanism will be superior TO
the influences with which he will now he sur
rounded The people who secured Iammany 5
return to power by giving votes which would
have elected Seth Low 10 candidate who
could not possibly be elected certainly have no
right TO complain OF Police Board which Is
presumed TO have no terrors for Tammany. or
10 shudder M the suspected restoration OF
plea SAINT working arrangements between the
principals in a dsgraceful transaction.