The times., 1898-07-14
MAJOR MooRE's SUCCESSOR.
Chief Clerk Sylvester Probably
VIII BE Selected.

VIII He selected
Speculation is rife concerning the prob
able successor of the late Major and
Superintendent of Police, William G.
Moore, who died Tuesday morning.
Until the commissioners make an APP
pointment, Capt. Manyille A. Austin will
act as head of the department Ills
name was prominently mentioned yester-
day as a probable candidate but it is
understood that he greatly favors the
appointment of Richard Sylvester, the
present chief clerk of the department.
The latter is believed TO be the logical
candidate. He will not discuss the mat
ter. however, and in answer 10 an in
quiry yesterday, stated that he thought
| there would be time enough to consider
that question after the funeral of the late
| superintendent. Mr.. Wight has also
taken this view of the situation, and an
nounces that no appointment will be
made before Friday.
The general opinion in police circles is
that no man in the department or out Of
it is better fitted for the place than
Chief Clerk Sylvester. He has been con-
nected with the force for number of
years and is conversant with all the de-
| tails of its management. Maj. Moore
relied, in a great measure, on him, and
nearly all of the affairs of the depart
ment were intrusted to his attention.
1t is said that the appointment of Mr..
! Sylvester as chief would be the first Sc
lection of a Superintendent OF Police from
among the employees Of the department.
In nearly every case, the District Com
missioners have gone outside for can
| didate Mai Walker, Maj. Dye and Maj.
| Moore had never been identified in any
way with the department before their
selection as Superintendent of Police.
Many persons are urging the selection
| of one who has made himself familiar
with the needs of the po:;ce force, and
who has had experience in its executive
management.
Mr.. Sylvester is a native of Iowa City,
| Iowa. where he was born in 1857. During
the war his parents moved to Memphis,
Tenn. He turned his attention TO repor-
torial work on the St. Louis Press, his
father then being associated with MI
Stilson Hutchins on that journal. He
served in both Congressional and State
conventions, and came to Washington IN
a newspaper capacity in his twentieth
| year and served as a correspondent OF
several Western newspapers. He was
later appointed dsbursing officer OF the
Ute Indian Commission, and on returning
to Washington accepted the office oi
! chief clerk of the police department
which place he now holds.
In 1885 he married Miss Laura V Nc
| Fau, daughter of Col. John McFan. ol
| ST. Louis and has a daughter and two
seas.
The selection OF Mr. Sylvester to take
charge OF the Washington police depart
! ment would make vacant the Office OF
| chief clerk.
Among the eligibles for this office Mr.
James Arthur Kemp stands at the hea'
Of the list in the order of seniority of serv
ice He is assistant TO Mr.. Sylvester
and in the absence of the latter the dutie
of the chief clerk have frequently devolv
ed upon him. He Is an expert telegrapher
stenographer and typewriter When h
left school he entered the employ OF III
Western Union Telegraph Company
where he remained until ne was apponte'
telegraph operator to the Department o
tary to several representatives and sen
ators.
He was born in October 1862 and live
at Rockville, Md.
The office of chief of police pays $3.50
per year. that OF chief clerk, 5000, anC
assistant chief clerk. $3.50.