The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-22


Select council refuses to concur in
the dismissal of Patrolmen Dyer and
Saul or confirm the appointment of
Acting Patrolmen Davis and Hocken-
berry, who were appointed by Mayor
Moir to succeed them.
The police committee met at 4,30
o'clock yesterday afternoon to give the
mayor an opportunity of explaining, If
he saw fit, what was the cause Of
the Dyer and Saul dismissals. The
mayor didn't appear to explain In
stead he sent the following commune
cation:
Mr.. Edward James. Chairman Police
Committee, Select Council.
Dear Sir: In reply to your invitation,
request or summons to appear and tes-
tify before your committee, as to my rea-
son for removing Policemen Dyer and
Saul, ], as mayor, must most respectfully
decline to appear, not recognizing your
right to make any such peculiar, not to
say disCourtCous request.
According to the statute the mayor,
| alone, is the only judge as to the fitness
and efficiency of the individual members
of the force; he is to exercise a constant
supervision over their conduct at all
times, and is to be i'm direct control, and
| Is held responsible for the efficiency and
morale of the entire force.
My constant aim has been. and will be,
to raise and maintain in the force the
| highest possible degree of efficiency. To
do this, [ must have, and think | am en-
| titled to have men who will work and are
| in sympathy with me and my admins.
| tratOn; men in whom | can repose con-
| fdenCe; men who L am satisfied are in
tent on the honest, faithful performance
of their duties and have respect for my
| orders.
LACKS CONFIDENCE.
Unfortunately I cannot place Messr3.
| Dyer and Saul in that list. ! do not be
| licve either to be the kind of men VIC
should have for patrolmen. 1 have no
confidence in them and would not trust
| either of them and am satisfied the only
feeling they have towards me is con-
tempt, and which they don't seek to con
| ceal
| might state private reasons, but on
general principles, l have sufficient cause
| to justify the position I have taken in
| removing men who / know would be Il
decided hindrance and constant annoy
| ance to me In my honest endeavors TO
| give our city a good administration.
| But, no matter what your committee
may decide upon, ] can assure them, and
| most emphatically so, that neither
Messrs. Dyer and Saul will ever wear a
| policeman's star while I am mayor.
l remain your most obedient,
James Moir, Mayor.
At last nights meeting of select
| council the police committee submit
| ted minority report supporting the
mayor and an adverse report from the
majority of the committee. Messrs
| James and Finn signed the former and
| Messrs. Lansing, McAndrew and
| O'Boyle, the latter.
Mr.. James moved the adoption of the
| minority report Mr.. Wagner moved
to receive both reports and defer action
| till the next meeting, that the mem
bers might have time to study the mat
ter and vote intelligently.
Mr.. Fellows wanted the matter dis
| posed of at once, so as to avoid pay
ing two sets of patrolmen.
RIDICULOUS AND INSULTING.
Mr.. O'Boyle spoke in support of the
majority report, saying that if Coun
ellis had no voice i'm the dismissals the
mayor was inconsistent in referrinl
the matter to council at all. He char
acterized the mayors letter to the p1
lice committee as ridiculous and in
sulting.
The reference to the letter brought
demand for its reading and when coun
ell heard it there was suppresse.
laughter all over the room.
Mr.. Kearney favored immediate ac
tion and a test being made in cour
to settle the dispute once and for all
The motion to defer action till III
next meeting was lost by the followin,
vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Wagner, Shea, Nc
Cam, Lansing, Frable, Coyne, VII
liams--7.
Nays-Messrs. Ross, Finn, Kearney
James, Schreder, Fellows, Schroeder
O'Boyle, McAndrew-9.
Absent-Messrs. Thomas, Roche
Melvin, Chittenden, Sanderson-5.
Mr. McAndrew moved to substitut
the majority report for the minorit,
and the motion prevailed by a vote o
to s:
Ayes-Messrs. Kearney, Shea. Nc
Cam, Lansing, OBoyle, Frable, Coync
McAndrew, Williams--9
Nays-NIessrs. Ross, Finn, James
Schneider Fellows, Schroeder-6.
Absent-Messrs. Wagner, Thomas
Roche Melvin, Chittenden, Sanderso
g.
The motion to adopt the majority re
pbrt was passed by a similar vote.
LANSING'S POSITION.
Mr.. Lansing made a statement, previ
Gus to the taking of the vote on tn
substitution, declaring that no mperti
nence to the mayor was intended b
the invitation 10 attend the committe
meeting. The mayors communicate
accompanying the dismissals state
that the dismissals were made 70
cause" The committee simply want