The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-19
Same Claim Made In Case Of Policeman
CaftTsy, Recently Appointed.
BUT THERE is Difference OF OPINION
CIty Solicitor Holds Members Of foce Forca Must
Be Tax PaysB, While kayor Baker Says That
Requirement Does MOI Apply.

An interesting question regarding
the eligibility of certain constables ana
a regular police officer. and also bring
ing into discussion the law governing
what shall be the necessary quallnca-
tions for election TO office under the
city government, has arisen, and IL Is
liable to prove interesting before 1t Is
definitely settled. At the last meeting
of the board of aldermen. held on
Thursday, July 6. three persons were
elected to the office of constable with
out power to serve OWL process, and
the appointment of Herbert Il. Caffrey
to the regular police force. by the chief
of police, was confirmed by the board.
Alderman Reynolds, OF the Fifth
ward, a member of the committee on
| constables. now claims that he has
| looked into the eligibility of those per-
sons, and he finds that they are not
| qualified electors, that Is are not quail
| fed to hold office because they are not
| taxpayers, either upon personal prop
| erty or real estate. The resolution or
| the city council bearing upon the ques-
ton provides that in order TO be elect
| ed to such offices the person shall be a
| taxpayer and entitled TO vote for men,
bers of the city council.
| 1t is said that Mr. Caffrey, who after
| his confirmation was sworn in and at
| once ordered TO report for duty at the
Central police station, where he has
| since done duty, went TO the tax asses
sors' office, some time prior TO his ap-
polntment. and requested TO be placed
on the personal property list or tax
payers His name was taken, but n
cannot be assessed until September
J next. hence. is. of course. not consid'
, cred as a tax payer now. His name ap
| pears upon the records of the board o.
canvassers and registration as a reg
istry voter only. and will remain 81
until the tax assessors report him K
be a tax payer.
city Solicitor Colwell and Assistan
I CITY Solicitor Baker have upon divers
z | occasions had cause to rule that in or
! der to hold the position OF polics ON
Ger or constable the person must De
aualffed voter for members of the cit!
council. and Mr.. Baker, in speaking o
these particular cases, says that M
sees no reason whatever TO call for {
change of opinion upon his part M
states that the resolution is very cleal
3 and concise. and tltat there can be bu
| one construction put upon IL.
Mayor Baker, however, does not seen
e 10 share this view. in as far as ii re-
E lates to regular police officers. lie AT
mits that il is quite applicable 10 the
constables for they are elected by ths
board OF aldermen, ana the fesoiullou
, provides that no person shall be elect.
ed except a qualified elector. etc Inc
mayor claims that in the case or Mr
Caffrey there was no election, but tna'
has appointment by the chief OF police
was confirmed by the board, and there
fore Mr. Caffrey is fully entitled tc
hold his office.
City Auditor Chase was seen In ret-
erence a. the case. and he said that II
had not been officially called to his at.
tention, and that in fact he did no'
even know the name OF the oincer ll
question. He said that inasmuch as the
police officers received their pay eacH
week Mr.. Caffrey had, of course, al
ready been paid twice. accoryng to
the regularly approved pay rolls IL
said that ne did not believe that ne
should take any action I'm the matter
Thus the question stands for the time
being. and in the meantime Mr.. Car,
frey is CARRYING a dub at night, and
doing the duty which is imposed upon
| him by the city.