Evening journal., 1900-08-02
CHIEF DOLAN
HAS RESIGNED
Refused to Accept Thirty
Days Suspension
EUGENE MASSEY APPOINTED
Charges Of Being Absent From Duty
Preferred by Police Commits
sion Last Night
EUGENE MASSEY APPOINTED

At a special meeting of the Police |
Commission last evening Chief Of Po- |
lice John f. Dolan presented his resig- |
nation as head of the department, and
House Sergeant Eugene Massey was ap-
pointed to fill his place.
The result of the meeting Of the com
mission was in the nature Of a surprise
to the public in general, as it was not
believed that any action would bel
taken on Chief Dolan's case before the
regular meeting of the board next
Tuesday night
CHARGES PREFERRED.
All three members of the commits
sion were present when the meeting
was called to order by President VIII
liam M. Pyle. Charges were then pre-
ferred by the directors against the
chief which set forth that he had been
absent from duty without leave. The
rules of the department require that
when charges are to be brought three
days notice must be given. The chief
waived his right. however, and the
charges were taken up.
After consideration, it was decided
by the directors to suspend Chief
Dolan for thirty days without pay. To
this action Chief Dolan objected, and
handed in his resignation, to take ef-
feet at once. He held that It was never
necessary heretofore to ask for leave
or absence when he wished to go away
on police business, and for that reason
did not ask for permission or leave in
this case. The resignation was accent
ed and went into effect at once.
The commission then named House
] n -. q.
cancy caused by Chief Dolan's resigna-
tion.
John F. Dolan, the retiring chief
has been at the head Of the Police De-
partment for seven. years and three
months, and, irrespective Of political
feelings, is admitted to have been tbs
most efficient officer that has ever held
the position. Under his direction the
police force has reached a degree of ex-
cellency, which is not equalled in ana
/ city of similar size to Wilmington. He
has a reputation as an officer that /.
known TO officials Of every city in The
! United States. He has taken a promi
nent part in the conventions Of tn,
National Chiefs Of Police Association
and is now a member of the board o
/ governors.
\ While he was chief Of police he ha,
the pawnbrOkers' law passed. and tn
law so amended that the house ser
geants could take bail and issue war
rants. The present system of reportin.
was originated by him. and the Bertil
lion system of Identification was adopt
ed on his recommendation.
Chief Dolan has been on the force TO
a number Of years, and for three year
and six months served as sergeant un
der Mayor Almond, when he resigned
The present Police Commission wa
organized in 1898, the members beinl
John w. Lawson, William NJ. Pyle AM
Patrick Monaghan. At the first meet
ing Mr.. Lawson was chosen president
and Immediately after organization hai
been effected the commissioners Sc
about to find a suitable man for CHIEF
Mr.. Dolan was not an applicant fer tn
position, but the commission callel
upon him at his place of business, ant
B asked him to accept the position. The,
said that after a thorough inyestiga
tion that they We're unable to find
man as well qualified for the position
Chief Dolan at first refused to accep
the position, giving as his reason tha
he was afraid that with a Police Com
mission he would be unable to give sat
o isfactory service Finally he agreed &
b think the subject over, and was givel
three days in which to make an an
swer At the end OF that time he wa
I again called upon. He asked that il h
accepted the position certain authori
4 ties be given him, which was at one
granted. On April %, 1893, he assume,
the duties Of chief of police, and ma
/ filled that position since. Chief Dollar
b has held the office for a longer tern
than any other official since the fore
was organized in 1881.
At the time he took charge the cit.
was hotoed for gamblers and thugs
and he at once sat to work to rid tn
community of the pests.
In conversation this morning Chic
Dolan said:
For more than year things hav
not been pleasant for me, and / hav
often been on the point of resignine
but my friends dissuaded me. At m,
request City Auditor Pyle is now go.nl
over my accounts and when he com
pletes his work the citizens will fin,
that every cent due the city will b
there.
THE NEW CHIEF.
I. Eugene Massey, the newly-appointe,
chief Of police, was born in Whining
ton. July s, 1851 He received his eail,
education in the public schools. b
trade is a blacksmith.
In 1889 he was appointed a patrol
man by Austin Harrington. thel
d mayor of the city. He served nearl,
r two years when he resigned. and en-
gagged in other business. In 1891 h
was reappointed, and for year occu
pied the desk in the police station a
special officer
Upon the foundation of the commits
sion in 1893, Mr.. Massey was appointe,
a street sergeant which position HI
held until November last, when h.
, was made house sergeant. which posi-
= ton he has since held He always ha
been a Republican in politics. and DIR
appointment is received with mucl
satisfaction. Chief Massey assume,
the duties Of the office to-day.
East Side Association Profits