New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-06
DEVERY'S ORDER RESCINDED
MAYOR VAN WICK ACTS PROMPTLY ON A WARNING
FROM THE GOVERNOR


Governor Roosevelt last evening served notice
upon Mayor Van Wyck that the Mayor would
be held responsible for any violence at the polls
IN this city to-day that might result from failure
to recall the order of Chief of Police Devery
directed against the State Superintendent Of
Elections. Mayor Van Wyck was not slow to
see the Importance of the Governors demand
for the recall of Devery's order. He was at the
Democratic Club when he received the Gov
ernors letter and after a hasty consultation
with Mr.. Croker and Mr.. Carroll, he rushed
away to take other counsel. Within few hours
ne had placed himself in communication with
Chief Devery and the Police Commissioners and
before midnight 1t was announced that the Of
Tending order of Chief Devery had been recalled
Mr. Waldron, one Of the Governors mes
sengers, came to the city from Oyster Bay last
evening, bearing personal letter from the Gov
ernor to the Mayor He went to the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel and asked for the aid OF one Of the
employees Of the Republican State Committee
there in hunting for Mayor Van Wyck. The nat
ure of the communication which he carried was
not divulged at the hotel, but one of the en-
ployes at State Headquarters, who knew Mayor
Van Wyck by sight, volunteered to help Mr.
Waldron find the Mayor. They found the>Mayor
at the Democratic Club about 8 o'clock. The
Mayor walked into the reception room to meet
them. and there Mr.. Waldron handed to him
the Governors letter. The Mayor broke the
seal and read the following.
Oyster Bay. N. Y. Nov 5, 1900
Hon. Robert A. Van Wyck,
Mayor of New-York City
Sir: My attention has been called to the Of
icial order issued by Chief Of Police Devery In
which he directs his subordinates to disregard
the Chief OF the State Election Bureau, John
McCullagh. and his deputies.
Unless you have already taken steps to secure
the recall of this order. 1t is necessary for
to point out that shall be obliged to hold you
responsible as the head of the city government
for the action Of the Chief of Police IL 1t should
result in any breach of the peace and intimida-
ton or any crime whatever against the Election
laws. The State and city authorities should
work together.
I will not fail to call summary account
either being guilty of intimidation or connivance
at fraud failure to protect every legal voter
in his rights.
1 therefore hereby notify you that in the
event of any wrongdoing following upon the
failure Immediately TO recall Chief Devery's
order, upon amy action s-s-s.saa1s- the
part of Chief Devery. I must n ,,esst.rfly call
You to account. Yours, etc.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
frown settled on the Mayors face as he read
the letter. When he had finished the reading.
Mr.. Waldron asked If he had any reply to send
to the Governor
NO no." said the Mayor gruffly. and turning
upon his heel he left the messenger abruptly.
Mr.. Waldron Immediately left the club. The
Mayor went to take counsel with Mr. Croker
ton Counsel Whalen. but it was ascertained
that he was not at the club. Presently the
Mayor left the club. AS he was departing, he
was asked If he would make any statement. and
he said in reply: mo. not word"
Mr.. Carroll would not talk about the Gov
ernor's letter Mr.. Croker shut himself in his
room upstairs refusing to receive newspaper
men or answer their cards. Mr.. Whalen said
over the telephone that he knew nothing about
the Governors letter and could not talk about
1t.
The Mayor was driven in a cab 10 police
headquarters, where he arrived about 10 o'clock
He went into the office of Chief Devery fifteen
minutes after the Chief had arrived in the
building
The Mayor and the Chief were cioseted to-
gether for an hour. and no person was admitted
or spoken to during that time. When the talk
was ended Chief Devery sent an officer to the
newspaper men to say that the Mayor had
something to tell them. and the reporters were
invited into the Chiefs office.
The Mayor sat in Chief Devery's big chair.
while the Chief himself said he had received an
order from the Mayor. and he then read that