New-York tribune., 1900-11-21


Bishop Potter will not in any way recognize
either the Police Board or the Tammany Purii-
cation Committee. Last night he replied 10 the
letter sent to him by President York asking for
proof of the charges which the Bishop made In
his protest to Mayor Van Wyck In the letter
the Bishop tacitly refuses TO assist the Police
Board. but expresses his Willingness to pass
over to Mayor Van Wyck the affidavits upon
which his accusations were made providing
however. that the Mayor asks for the afidavits
in question. Bishop Potters letter to President
York Is follows:
Diocesan House. Lafayette Place
New-YOrk, Nov. 20. 1900.
Sir: 1 beg to acknowledge your communi-
cation OF the 18th inst.
1t is evidently written under misapprehen-
sion. In accordance with the instructions OF
my Diocesan Convention, have lately addressed
to the Mayor of New-YOrk protest concerning
condition of things in the Police Department OF
this city which is matter of public notoriety,
and concerning which you. yourself COM
monty reported TO have made the most unre-
served admissions
Having complied with the duty laid upon me
by my convention this particular incident so
far as 1 concerned. is closed. II the Mayor
of New-York desires to the affdavits OF the
two gentlemen referred to in my letter to him
they will be forwarded to him at his request.
HENRY c. POTTER
The Hon. Bernard ]. York. president, etc.
When Bishop Potter was seen last night by a
IepOElSIs Hc SdlO-
1 have nothing to add to my letter 1t ts not
my intention to confer with the Police Board
to evidence that may have in my possession.
Anything that 1 have to communicate win be
made direct to the Mayor.
What action will be taken in regard to the
suggestion made by the Bishop could not be
learned. Mr.. York and the other Commission
could not be found.
ATTITUDE OF THE POLICE BOARD.
forward Mr.. York and his colleagues on the
Police Board. there would seem to be no doubt
/ that they are intent upon pushing the charges
against Inspector Cross and Captain Herlihy.
Mr.. York is bent on obtaining the services OF
Edward NJ. Shepard and ex-Judge w NJ K
Olcott to prosecute the charges but 1t must be
determined if the provisions of the charter will
permit the Board to employ special counsel
According to the Interpretation which is put
upon that section of the charter which refers to
the engagement of special counsel it would
seem that this is matter which comes entirely
/ within the province of the Law Department
Mr. York spent the whole Of yesterday morn
ing downtown. and it understood that he
/ conferred with Corporation Counsel Whalen on
/ this subject But what decision was reached
could not be ascertained. as both declined to
| talk No attempt will be made to formulate
| charges against Cross and HerIihy. it was said
until the special counsel have been selected, or
| the question to their employment settled 1t
! Is MIR. Yorks purpose 10 leave the drawing of
! the charges to the counsel who viii conduct the
prosecution. Mr. York informed Tribune re-
porter yesterday that he hoped to be able TO
make some definite announcement regarding the
/ choice OF counsel to-day.
Although a Spasm OF virtue seems 10 have
! overtaken the Police Commission since Mr. Gro
! ker made his outbreak against the continuance
j of vice in this city. people are not blind 10 the
| fact that the Commissioners largely re-
sPonsible for the iniquitous state of affairs which
exists in this city to-day. They recognize that
had the Commissioners been as anxious during
/ the last year two they apparently are
row 10 suppress the evils which have been
/ openly Haunted in all parts OF the city they had
/ only TO say the word 10 close every dive and
! every resort in the metropolis That the Com
missioners and Tammany and Croker were aware
| of all that going cannot for a moment
! be doubted The newspapers, month after MONTH
| have been publishing the addresses Of the Illegal
| resorts which without hindranCe so far as
| the police were concerned. but despite the pub
Icity they never interfered with. This was
due entirely to the supineness and. Indeed, con-
tinued with the acquiescence of the Police Board.
Mr.. York himself admitted so much last Friday
when he confessed with d freedom that was
little startling the part OF the president OF
the Police Board that there mincing
matters that vice did exist the East Side
, and that the houses could not run openly with
out the assistance OF the captains of the pre-
cincts People are saying that neither could
they without the Police Commissioners pur-
posely closing their eyes to the fact.
DEvERY SHOWS HIS DISGUST.
The truth of the report that Chief Devery
point blank refused to suspend Cross and Her
lihy when he was instructed TO do so by the
Board Monday is generally conceded. Devery
makes no pretence of hiding his disgust at the
present reform movement. More than once he
has placed himself on record as saying that the
social evil should be allowed to exist so long
as it does not become public menace. His
action in refusing obey the Board lays open
the path to a little reflection" said citizen
yesterday. ''Inasmuch as the charter gives the
Commissioners power retire the Chief at any
time by d unanimous vote. Devery would not
have dared to defy his supeTiOrs unless he was
sure of his ground and of support. He stood
sponsor before the Board for both Cross and
Herlihy. and rumor has it at Headquarters that
if he acted on the suggestion OF the Commits
sioners who are inclined bow the exigen-
ces that have upon them. both Captain
Diamond and Captain Thomas OF the Tender
loin precinct. would by this time have been
transferred. In taking the course he does Dew
cry sustained by the knowledge that he runs
no danger of being punished
That Devery has run foul of the Commission
ers neither he the members of the Board
will deny. When Mr.. York was specifically
asked yesterday if the Board had suggested the
suspension OF Cross and Herlihy. he refused to
reply the inquiry.
'wilI you say whether or not there is any
basis for the report that the Board and rha