The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-28
Disgraceful Appointment
Made by the Republi-
can Commissioners.
INSPECTOR LANCE IS RETIRED
McKaig Will Probably Sue
ceed Him -Wohlleben
Made a Captain.

The action of the Republican members
of the Police Board yesterday leaves no
room for doubt that. outside of brief
mention in Chief of Police Murphy's an
nual report and the gratitude of citizens
well served. merit counts for nothing in
the Police Department.
Years of faithful service count for moth
ing with the Commissioners The ques-
tion that is being asked all over the city
is:-"How do you go about it to get
an appointment Apparently, no one is
able to answer. Those who get the ap-
pointments don't tell. 1t is rumored that
in some instances it is to keep the ap-
pointees from telling things not connect
ed with the Police Department that they
know, but ought not to, that they are
landed in fat berths. This rumor could
not be verified, neither could the rumor
that certain appointment that was de-
sired by a prominent Republican politi-
clan, who is supposed to have things
pretty much his own way, was refused
by the Commissioners, who had other
plans of their own.
City Treasurer Samuel Dickinson was at
Police Headquarters on three separate
occasions yesterday and was in consulta-
tion with the Republican Commissioners
The name of Police Sergeant John Cody
was whispered in connection with cap
taincy. 1t was the prevailing opinion that
he had it cinched, but when the Board
met.it was learned otherwise. But that
is not saying that he will not get it be-
fore the Republicans lose their majority
in the Board. The Republican Commits
sioners do not propose to leave any pick
ings for the Democrats when they come
into power. 1t would not be surprising
if they appointed at least. one more cap
tain before April. After that. if present
plans do not fall there will be bi-parti-
san Police Board.
Commissioners Abernethy and West did
themselves proud yesterday in the matter
of appointments, but it is said that it is
not circumstance to the manner IN
which they have done the public in the
appointment of Patrolman John Driscoll
as roundsman. The appointment OF
Driscoll has met with almost universal
condemnation. DriscoI is young and hot
headed. He has proven himself very
poor policeman-at least that is what his
superiors say. He. was appointed a
chanceman about a year ago. was made
a patrolman less than month ago, and
has now been boosted above the heads OF
experienced men, lOuS III SSAf4CO, ~ lit
position of roundsman.
On March 28 last, when he had been on
the police force but a short time Driscoll
was suspended by Inspector Lange for
conduct unbecoming an officer and gem
tleman. On that date DriscoIl went to
the house of Engine Company No. and
picked quarrel with Fireman James
Fitzgerald over some money matters. He
was ordered to leave the place. but in
stead of doing so he assaulted Fitzgerald
after first threatening to arrest him.
Fitzgerald stood his abuse as long as he
could and then called up the Gregory
street station anl told the sergeant in
charge what Driscoll was doing.
Roundsman Noonan was sent to the
firehouse. He warned Driscoll to leave
Fitzgerald alone and behave himself
Several hours later Roundsman Sheridan
of the Montgomery street station was on
Montgomery street car bound for the
Heights, when at Varick street his atten-
tion was called to two men who were
graphing on the sidewalk. ThS were
Driscol and Fitzgerald The men were
fighting in earnest and were clutching
each the others throat when Sheridan
separated them. 1t came out at the trial
that Driscoll had waited for Fitzgerald
near Varick street and had attacked him.
He was found guilty. as charged, and
was fined one days pay.
Only two weeks ago Driscoll made
fool raid on a saloon in Washington
street and was openly censured in the
First Criminal Court and told that he
had a great deal to learn before he would
make an efficient policeman. Every per-
son taken in the raid was discharged.
He could not substantiate one of the
charges he made
Chief Murphy was asked this morning
If he stood for Driscolls appointment.
He turned his head in disgust and said:-
mot I. I was not consulted
Police Commissioner Abernethy when
asked how he came to appoint Drscoll
said:-"A certain party has wanted it for
some time and we bad to stand for it,
A surprise was sprung at the meeting
yesterday by Inspector William Lange.
He sent a letter to the Board asking that
as he was over fifty years old and had
served over twenty years he be retired
on half pay. 1t is needless to say that his
request was granted. The resolution
retiring him goes into effect on Febru-
AIRY /. Sergeant George Wohlleben,
who succeeded Captain Archibald
at Police Headquarters, was ap-
pointed Captain to fill the vacancy
caused by the retirement of Lange. The
Inspector is merely Captain detailed to
do that duty. His salary is $3.50 more than
that of the other captains. 1t is said that
Captain Archibald McKaig will be ap-
pointed Inspector in Lange's place. In
spector Lange has been in i'll health for
some time He will spend several months
in his native town in Germany, the great
shipbuilding town of Kiel. He has not
been to his birthplace in forty years, or
to Germany in thirty-fve years. Inspector
Lange was appointed a patr1sman in 1871,
was made roundsman two years later,
a sergeant in 1876 and a captain in 1880.
Captain Wohlleben has been on the po-
lice force since 1879. His promotion is
well deserved and meets with the hearty
approval of the other members of the
force and of all who know the Captain
Commissioner Walters favored the ap-
poestment of Wohlleben. but was op-
rosea TO the appointment of Dr,scoll He
also opposed the appointment of Rounds
man Samuel Craig as sergeant. He con-
tended that Craig did not deserve the
appointment as he had been in the de-