New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-03
POLICE BILL SEEMS DEAD.
COGGESHALL AND WILCOX BOLT THE
SENATE CAUCUS.
THE MEASURE, THEY SAY THEY


Albany. March THE New-YOrk Police bill
is dead unless some Democrats vote for it, This
fact was fully disclosed at caucus OF Republi-
can Senators tonight when Senators Cogge-
shall and Wilcox refused to vote for the measure
as long as it destroys the alleged bipartisan
character Of the present Police Board
They left the caucus when the bill pressed.
Coggeshall and Wilcox refused absolutely to
vote for any bill which should provide for a
single head for the Police Department to be
named by Mayor Van Wyck. As there are only
twenty-seven Republican Senator'S and twenty
six Of them must vote for a bill in order 10
secure It's passage IT is clear the bill is beaten
unless. stated, some Democrats vote for it.
What makes the revolt Of Senators Coggeshall
and Wilcox the more interesting is that 1t is
stated that telegram from Senator Platt favor
ing the bill was read at the caucus. 1t was also
said 70 be the only police bill which Governor
Roosevelt would sign.
The caucus Of the Republican Senators was
held in the room OF the Finance Committee In
the Capitol one Senator, Charles T Wills, Of
Schuyler County who has exhibited hostility TO
the Police bul absent and no reason was
given for his absence. Senator Sherwood, who
is ILL., also away Senator Bracket had gone
to Saratoga Thus only twenty-four Senators
We're present.
Senator Wilcox was elected chairman Of the
caucus and he presided until his abrupt de-
parture upon senptcr Ensworths insisting that
the bin be made caucus measure.
CoGGEsHALL's ATTACK.
Senator Coggeshan opened fire on the bin as
soon as il was announced. He declared that II
Mayor Van Wyck was authorized 70 appoint
head 70 tn Police Department that head.
Of course, would be q Tammany man and would
"Tammanyize" the police force I'm a month. OF
the force OF 400 policemen. he declared 81 per
cent we're Republicans OF the 76 captains II
Wee Republicans. OF the ten inspectors. eight
we're Republicans or the four Deputy Chiefs,
three We're Republicans Tammary would use
all the power Of the police force against the
Republican party the year round. He thought
it was political madness for the Republican
party % take such a risk
He then pointed out that in 1896 ten Of the
fifteen Greoter New-York Charter Commission
ers favored the bipartisan plan of conducting
the Police Department.
Senator White-The trend of popular opinion
was then in favor OF a single-headed Commis-
sion.
Senator Coggeshall-The trend might he that
way among silk-stocking Republicans but it
was not SO among the Republican farmers in
Oneida County
Senator Wilcox next assailed the bill, substan-
TALLY on the same grounds as Senator Cosge-
shall.
Senator Marshall is reported TO have said that
the Republican organization OF Kings county
had not been consulted about the bill, ana SEN
at0r Coggeshall subsequently said he thought
Nr Marshall did not really favor ,he BILL
Senator Elsberg also is reported 20 have eX-
pressed the personal opinion that Tammany
would gain great influence in the Police Depart
mcut If the bin should be passed, but expressed
his willingness 10 abide by the decision or the
caucus.
THE VOTE OK THE BILL
The vote on the bin is reported to have been
10 20 D. The FIVE votes against the bill were
cast by Senators Marshall, D. +. Davis Cogse-
shall Wilcox and Maby.
After Senators Wilcox and Coggeshal had left
the room the bin was formally made caucus
measure.
Even il the bin cannot pass" said one sena-
tor eve shall put COggesnall and wilcox on
record refusing 10 recognize caucus de-
c.siou"
senator Ellsworth after the caucus said a
sli-ht addition was made - the bin by pro-
Ndug that a Deputy Police Commissioner
should serve for only five days This would
compel a Mayor 20 apront successor 10 n
removed Police Comm -SlOuer Immediately.