The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-10
PULlGE BUAkU.
Trying to Secure McKaig's
and Farrier's Resig-
nations.
10 MAKE MORE APPOINTMENTS
History Of the Organization of
the Board Since 1875
It's Doings.
10 MAKE MORE APPOINTMENTS

street police station, will have charges oi
neglect of duty preferred against him al
tonight's meeting of the BOARD of Police
Commissioners. The charges are the re-
suit of the robbery of Elias Capuno's
tailor shop, No. 6S1a Newark avenue, a.
an early hour Saturday morning. They
will be made by Chief of Police Murphy
Van yechten was suspended at moor Sat
urday by Captain Archibold.
The accused officer, who is a son-in-law
of Ex-Inspector William Lange, has beer
patrolling Newark avenue since since his
appointment on the force several years
ago. He has a good record.
At the time of Capuno's robbery, Var
Vechten says he was trying the doors or
the upper end of his post and was moi
aware of the robbery until he was inform
ed at headquarters when he got through
his tour of duty.
The thief who was arrested at the
Pavonia ferry, by the Second Precinct
police, was held for the Grand Jury.
There will BIZ considerable other bust
ness transacted. The Watson dismissal
case will also come up for final action.
1t has been openly asserted that the
OplllOH u wi pOi dtlO AtlSiirSJ
McDermott will be ignored and that of
Counselor Corbin will be upheld.
This action on the part of the commits
sioners, has been denounced as extremely
dirty. The fact that a paid counsel, of
the city, whose opinion is law at all times
should be turned down, is more than Re
publicans themselves can bea
The commissioners have mot confined
their work to the dismissal of Watson.
They are equally anxious to get rid of
Acting Inspector McKaig and Captain
Farrier. This fact has been known for
some months, but it was not until a few
days ago that both men were approach
ed on the subject.
The offer to Captain McKaig, who has
frequently said hat he was in the best
of health, was that the commissioners
would make him ms 3ector with $500, a
year providing he resigned before April
"a, on half pay.
Captain McKaig istened attentively TO
the man who acted as go between. and
after he made the offer, McKaig prompt
ly rebuked him, saying
81 nave not the slightest intention of
being retired and 1 refuse your Offer"
The object of retiring McKaig was that
the Commissioners could appoint Captain
Archibold to fill the vacancy. Captain
Archibo1d does not want the appointment.
The greed of the Republican Commis-
sioners has made them covet the Cap
taincy held by Farrier. They want to
make another appointment before going
out of office.
Farrier is perfectly willing to retire
providing the Commissioners appoint Ser
geant Fred Helmer to the place, other
wise Farrier will not resign, and their
purpose will be defeated.
Since 1871 the Republican party has en-
joyed no less than IS years as the head
of the police force of this city, while the
Democratic party has only had seven
years in the same period. Three years of
tina time the Board has, been a tie. Dur
ing the time the Board was a tie the COM
missioners were elected by the people
In 1878 the Democrats secured control OF
the Legislature and had a bill passed by
which the commissioners were to be elect
ed. At the election that year only one
Republican. Frederick Wright, succeeded
in landing the berth. In 1879. the Demo-
cratic majority found fault with much OF
the work lone by the Republican party
while in power; that many disrnissals
were made.
So well did the people like the proceed
ings of the Board, hat at the next elec-
ton two more Democrats were elected.
The following spring the Board had three
Republicans and three Democrats as
members. Then the fun began. Twenty
two meetings were held, at which 1872 bal
lots were taken before the Commissioners
elected Commissioner Fred Wright as
President. DR.. Bird was his opponent.
When the Board was a tie, the patrol
men and officers did not receive one pen
ny for their work from April "a to Aug
ust Is. 1t was on that date that Chief
Murphy was appointed to succeed Michael
Nathan, who received only one vote out
of six. The Republican party was n
power from 1S71-1S77, 1~ss0-1Ss6, and from
1883 1899. Thu Democrats from ET7-1S73,
and from 1S87-1893. The board was rseu
from 1879-1SS0 and from 1Ss6-1SS7.
April "a, of this year, will be the begin
ming of another six years of Democratic
rule. After the organization of the board
April II. some big changes will be made te
offset the nefarious doings of the present
board. Commissioner Walters, it is said
will occupy the,c chair next year.
"