The San Francisco call., 1901-11-14
GOSSIP ABOUT
POLICE CHIEF
Mayor-Elect Schmitz to
Meet Commissioners
To-Day.
MahOny's Term on the Board
Expires Early in jan
uary, 1902

Mayor-elect Eugene E. Schmitz will
leave his quiet retreat near WatsonviIIe
early this morning and come to San
Francisco on the Monterey express short
ly after his arrival in the CITY he will at
tend conference of the Police Commis-
sioners. He will return to the country
Immediately after the adjournment of tho
conference. The subject of a new Chief
OF Pollce Is undoubtedly the one that is
10 be discussed.
D. J. Mahony's term Of Office as Police
commissioner viii expire early in Janu-
SIy next. he was appointed to the
board as the successor of Thomas The
board, as originally constituted by Mavor
Enelan, consisted of Newhan, Buggy.
1noinas ana McNutt. During the conIesi
which terminated in the election of
Colonel w. P. Sullivan Jr. to the Office
OF Chief Of Police, Mayor Phelan arbI-
Irarlly removed Commissioner Blggv.
ne Mayor S authority to remove a COM
I-lsslo1eI was not challenged in court.
Jlose wallace was appointed to succeed
blsey ana his term Oh office VIII not eX-
plte untlI January, 1903. Thomas resigned
rom the commission and the Mayor ap-
pointed ID. l. MahOny 10 Ill the vacancy.
A4ahony term expires January, 1902 Dr.
McNutt resigned and the vacancy caused
Dy MS resignation was nlled by the
mayor appointing Josiah X. Howell.
whose term expires January, 1904 New
hall also holds until 1904
captain Whitman, acting Chief of Po-
ice, Will probably serve IN executive ca
paclty until the board elects a chief
There are many indications that Captain
Whitman viii be the boards cho.ce Tor
chief.
Mahony May Succeed Himself.
There is talk that Mayor Phelan could
appoint Mahony's successor if he were SO
inclined, but the impression is general
that no change in the commission will be
made until MayOr-elect Schmitz is inaug-
rar nE
10 his public expressions a conserva-
tive citizen will be named TO succeed
Mahony. Efforts may be made to con-
vince the Mayor that Commissioner Ma
hony himself is a shining light of con-
servatism.
Good lawyers do not entertain the no.
ton that caDriciOus Mayor can rampse
around and remove a Commissioner at
his pleasure and upset a whole board to
execute some particular design. The
courts may rule that good cause for re-
mOval must be shown and that not every
thing IN the charter is constitutional In
deed, II will be called to mind that the
courts set aside many of The provisions
OF the State constitution hence charter
declarations viii not be accepted as in
spired doctrine.
schmitz Will Speak.
Mayor-elect Eugene E. Schnlitz has
accepted an invitation to the annual din
ner OF the merchants. Doubtless he will
make an after-dinner speech and in some
degree fOTeshadOW the policy of his ad-
mlnlStrauon. Mayors should be ever so
cautious in pOst-prandial talks. Even
Mayor .Phelan, who is generally pretty
well ballasted al banqUets. stopped over at
one feast and made a spectacle of him
self that caused the angels TO Weep
Auditor Wells announces that he is out
Of politics. Yet full of the spirit of re
form he suggests that the Legislature
shall pass a law to protect candidates
from leg-pullers. 1t appears that various
organizations having for sale ball tickets
imposed upon the nominee for Mayor.
The imposition was in the nature of black
mail Mr. Wells proposes that the can
dloate Of the future shall not be exposed
10 such fraud His position will be sus-
tanned by successful and unsuccessful ca n
oldates- Indeed, some of the nominees
are willing that a law should be passed
10 make the painting of banners a felony.
In this new reform the Auditor is almost
sure TO receive the support Of ex-Assem-
blyman Arthur G. Fisk
The lease Of the Republican Primary
League of the rooms in the Baldwin An
mex having expired, the headquarters OF
the league has been temporarily closed
1t IS announced that permanent hea dolla r
ters in a central location will be opened
shortly, the location Of which will be pub-
hshed in a few days.