The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-07
GOVERNOR ROOSEVELT AND TAM
MANY.

The prompt and effective manner in
which Governor Roosevelt brought Mayor
Van Wyck to time in requiring him 20 re-
woke the order of Chief of Police Dcvery
relative TO the action of the police on eiec-
ton day was very Rccseveltian and very
admirable. To understand the true inward
ness of the situation it must be remen-
bered that the chief CT police is tool of
Richard Croker. and Mayor Van wyck is
also a creature of Tammany. The mayor
appoints the police beard. who elect the
chief, and IS the responsible executive head
of the city government. The election laws
of the State of New York provide for the
appointment of a superintendent of cleo
tons with power 10 appoint deputies to
protect voters. preserve peace and prevent
illegal voting. On Sunday last Chief of
Police Devery issued the following instruc-
tons to all commanders of police in the
city:
Tactics and methods of intimidation per-
petrated upon RESI- ectable citizens who
have been che yea in the State, four
months in any of the four counties of New
York city. who have resided thirty days
in an election district and who are legal
voters. by John McCuiagh. superintendent
of elections, will not be tolerated or per-
mitted by the police department..
This was plain defiance by the chief OF
police and notice to the State superintend-
ent OF elections to keep handI off of the
election in New York city. TIE order was
and was calculated IL not intended to
bring about collisions and violence be-
tween the police and the deputies of the
superintendent of elections. AS the State
law makes 1t penal offense to resist or
interfere with the superintendent of cleo
tons or his deputies in the performance
OF their duties the defy issued by the
chief Of police made a case for the action
of the chief executive of the State. Gov
ernor Roosevelt promptly assumed the re-
sponsibility. and instead of warning Chief
Devery he warned Mayor Van Wyck that
he would be held responsible for what
ever breach of the peace. infraction of
the law or intimidation of voters might
occur under Devery's order. In his COM
munication to the mayor the Governor
said:
/ will not fail to call to summary ac-
count either State or city authorities in
event of either being guilty of intimidation
or connivance at fraud or failure to protect
every legal voter in his rights. |. there
fore. hereby notify YOU that Ia the event
ure immediately To recall Chief Devery's
order, OF upon any action or naction on
the part of Chief Devery / must neces-
sarily call you TO account.
The effect of this communication was to
bring about hurried consultation be-
tween the mayor and chief of police, and
an order from the former tor the revoca-
ton of the order of last Sunday. "You
will at once wrote the mayor, revoke
| the order issued from your office on the
| 9Th inst, relative 10 the duties OF the po-
lice force on election day and you will
issue Immediately such further orders as
will require your subordinates TO cooper
ate with and assis- in the execution and
enforcement of the metropolitan election
district law and amendments thereto"
Thus the Tammany mayor was brought
| to see the propriety of overriding his
chief of police. who was preparing to make
| trouble i'm the interest Of Tammany and
+, Bryan.
The American people admire man who
~ willing TO assume responsibility when
the law requires him to do so. Governor
Roosevelt Is that kind Of a man. and. be-