New-York tribune., 1900-12-28
SEXTON DESERTS DEVERY.
JOINS YORK IN sNUBBING CHIEF OF
POLICE.
SIXTEEN NEW CAPTAINS APPOINTED
WITHOUT CONSULTING HIM-ABELL
PROTESTS IN VAIN.

Chief Devery's stock was quoted at lower
prices IN police circles last night than at any
time since his quarrel with President York be-
gan when It became known that the Board. IN
appointing sixteen new police captains yester-
day afternoon. had given the Chief a direct slap
in the face by purposeIy neglecting to obtain
from him his official recommendation OF the SER
geants to be promoted. The only protest made
against this course was a feeble from Com
missioner Abel. who said he thought II was
Illegal for the Board to promote without the
Chiefs recommendation. He was opposed by
York. as was expected: by Hess. and unexpect-
edly by Sexton. who has been rated all along
the Chiefs firm supporter. 1t this action OF
Sexton which sent Devery's stock down. IT was
taken as a confirmation Of the truth OF the
rumor that Sexton. too. has joined the Tam
many leaders who want Devery to resign
But in spite OF persuasion. desertion. threats
and snubs no resignation forthcoming
from Devery yesterday, and it was confidently
asserted by some of his friends that none would
come, so long as Abel stood by him. Abel has
frequently indorsed with heartiness and alacrity
all the actions Of Devery Chief, but even he
yesterday. after the meeting. hedged a little
He at first evaded a direct question as TO
whether he fully approved Devery. but being
pressed for an answer. said he iIGOrsed many
of Devery's actions as Chief This cooling Of
Abel may have been due TO the unmercifui
castigation which he had hguratively received
at the hands Of the Board earlier in the day
when only sergeant of his choice was made
captain while five of Yorks choice were pro
NOTED, five of Sextons. and even the despised
Hess got one. AbeIPs doglike faithfulness to
Devery having been rewarded with only one
small bone out of the sixteen that were divided.
may be weakening. If he can be won over
to York's side. Devery may be retired by
unanimous vote of the Board.
A GREAT DAY FOR YORK.
Yesterday was great day for York. 1t has
not happened frequently of late that he has had
the pleasure of hearing Sexton say Aye" to any
motion of Importance made by the president Of
the Board. He heard it five times yesterday.
and every time it was uttered a Brooklyn ser
geant was made a captain The fact that Hess
made trouble over his meagre allotment was
considered to be indication that reappoint-
nent after January had been promised him.
The reason why the promotions were made yes
terday instead of any day in the last two or
three years during which of the vacancies
have existed is said to be the appreciation by
the Board of the fact that their Of existence
will be short after the next Legislature con-
venes and they want to place all the friends
they can before the power is taken from them
For this reason the Board after making the six
teen captains. sent to the Municipal Civil Ser
vice Commission for list of roundsuen eligible
for promotion to ssrgeants. and viii act upon 1t
speedily. There are fifty vacancies. Here is the
list Of the new captains. with the precincts to
which Devery assigned them within few hours
OF their promotion:
Captain MICHAEL GoRMAN. The Bronx Park
Captain EDWARD WALSH. the Central once for
Captain ], " 6EEXEY. to Richmond hin. Queens.
Captain JAMES CANNON. 10 High Bridge
y,
Captain MICHAEL. E FooDEY. to the City Hail sta
Captain FRANCIS J. KEAR to the West stxty-sghth-
Captain J. J. LANTRY to the East Fitry-hrst-st sta.
Captain JOHN F. FLOOD. to day command at the
Captain JOHN MARA. FultOn-st station. Brook
GGsDss,a GD;a KESNET EaGTg to Pa5svtIls .y gE99siya
Captain ]. E. COLGAN to the Liberty-avs. station.
Captain I. S. MURPHY. to the Herbert-avs. station
Captain JOHN BUCHANAN to the eatss-ave station.
Captain E A GAUs. the Ham5urg-ave. station
DEvERY AGAIN DEFIEs YORK
1t has been said that President York wanted
captain put in charge OF the Detective Bureau
in Brooklyn. and that the sixteenth promotion
was made for this purpose Chief Devery. how
ever, assigned captain instead to regular night
duty at Police Headquarters. For years
the precinct commanders have taken turns
doing night duty at Headquarters. Devery thus
showed his defiance of Yorks wishes even in
York's hour Of partial triumph. and Devery's
friends applauded him for il. declaring that he
would never resign. and II removed on charges
would fight so hard that the scandal he would
create by revelations he could make If pushed to
the wall would do as much to hurt Tammany
in it's next campaign as Hugh McLaughlin's de-
lection could do. suppOsing Mclaughlin
split with Tammany over Devery- Devery's
friends do not believe Mclaughlin would go SO
far. They say he is making big '@oluff'' now
while Croker is away. and Is thoroughly enjoy
fnor ann "a mr. ar4xF
into a panic but they believe that Croker viii
easily find some other way TO placate the VIII
loughby Street Boss than by deserting so close
a friend Devery. RumorS were current yes
rerday that the puzzled Tammany deputy lead
ers had appealed by cable 10 Croker to give
ruling the muddle. and no step would be
taken until he had replied.
After Abel had fled his protest he voted with
the other Commissioners Being asked after the
meeting If the promotions agreeable TO
him. he said he would have desired other men.
Asked if he thought the promotions would be
mendations were not procured, he declined 20
say yes or no. Devery would not say word
on any subject. The speedy end Of his term
seems TO be so thoroughly taken for granted.
either by resignation. retirement or removal on
charges that great deal Of speculation is afioat
to his successor Captain Titus is prime
favorite with some gueSSerS; others prefer In
spector Kane or Deputy Chiefs Mclaughlin and
Cortright, or Inspector Donald Grant. Many
think II would be good policy for Tammany TO
put a Republican like Titus at the head OF the
force before IL is reorganiZed from Albany He
might be allowed TO remain by the Republican
organization, and might be expected always to
gave him the promotion.