The Jersey City news., 1898-11-30
NEWTON WON'T FIGHT,
Told Chief Murphy He
Would Give Up His
Shield Tonight.
MAYOR HOOS WRITES A LETTER
Scores the Board for Placing
An Extra Burden on
the Taxpayers.

There was rumor current yesterday
tnat Police Captain Nose Newton, COM
manding the Third precinct, Oakland
avenue station, who was placed on the re-
tired list by the Police Commissioners, at
their meeting on Monday night, will con-
test the right of the Police Board TO re-
tire him against his wishes. 1t was said
that he would employ counsel, with the
assistance of Mayor Hoos, and fight the
matter in the courts to the bitter end. 1t
is generally believed by Newtonis friends
that he could win the fight if he started
IT. Chief of Police Murphy is of a differ
ent opinion. When interviewed this
morning the Chief said
Captain Newton would not stand the
smallest chance in the world of winning if
he contested the matter in the courts
In support of his contention he quoted
the section of Chapter 70 of the laws of
1887, under which the retirement was
made. It reads as follows:-
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and Cen
eral Assembly of the State Of New
Jersey, That in all cities Of this State
all members of the police force of such
city as shall have honorably served
upon such force for twenty years, and
shall have attained the age of sixty
years, may be retired upon one-hail
pay.
There are three ways in which a po-i
liceman may be retired" said the Chief.
.sIf he is fifty years old and has served
twenty years, he may ask for retirement
on half pay, and the Board must retire
him. If he is sixty years old and has
served twenty years the Board may re-
tire him whether he likes it or not. The
third provision is that if a policeman has
served nine years and is incapacitated for
police duty because of any sickness or IT.
jury acquired while in the discharge of
his duty, he must be retired on half pay
t'In the case of Captain Newton, how
ever continued Chief Murphy, t'it is not
probable that there will be any trouble.
There were rumors of objections and
legal fight yesterday, but this morning
Captain Newton called on me and de-
clared that he would submit to the de-
cision of the Police Commissioners and
give up his shield when he finished with
tonight's tour of duty. He said he would
not fight against his retirement
It is said that at Police Headquarters
yesterday morning Captain Newton said,
in the presence of the other police cap
tains. that he didn't mind being retired
but It CALLED him to think that he was
to be succeeded by Sergeant Holderer-
The secret to his objection to Sergeant
HoIderer's stepping into his shoes is that
twelve years ago 14oEderer was a candi-
date against him for the appointment of
captain and he just managed to beat him
and secure it.
Charles Holderer, who was appointed
a Police Captain to succeed Newton
took the oath of office yesterday before
City Clerk NJ. ]. O'Donnell.
Mayor Hoos sent this letter today
November %. 1898
To the Honorable the Board of
Police Commissioners
GentlemenmI am informed an aata tnat
mined to place Captain Moses p,
Newton ON the retired list, with an
annual pension of $1,000 year. Cap
ent office twelve years. He is in
good health and of most excellent
Reputation. His record shows that
there has never been a charge pre-
ferred against him since his appoint
ment as Captain. He is willing and
able to serve the city, and has not
This being SO, he should be allowed
to remain in his present position
To retire a healthy, willing and eff
cient Officer because he has reached
an age when legislation gives him
the right to ask for retirement is not
only an injustice to the taxpayers of
the city but it is calculated to bring !,
the pension laws, affecting your de-
partment, into disrepute- He can
perform the duties of his office. He
is willing to do so. Why, then,
should you call upon his fellow citi-
zens te give him a pension he does
not ask for? Nc man who serves the
city should be retired upon a pension,
and a course in violation of this prop
osition cannot be long pursued with.
out resulting in injury TO those who
become incapacitated in the public
service.
/ shall deem it my duty to resist
any attempt to waste public moneys
by retiring on pension any member
of your force who is both competent
and willing to continue in active SER
vice
Yours respectfully,
EDWARD HOOs, Mayor.