The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-11
MAJOR SYLVESTER PRAISED
Congratulated on His Work at the
Inauguration Parade.
Many Letters of Commentator Sent
to Him Approving the Manner
in Which the Police Plans Were
Executed and Carried Ont March 4.

Executed and Carried Ont March j.
Judging from the expressions OF admir-
alton, both oral and written, that have
been pouring in upon Major Sylvester,
Chief of Police, who was Chairman OF the
Committee on Public Order the police
arrangements for the second Inaugural
ton of William Mckinley as President
of the United States were the most per-
fectly planned and executed in the his
tory of such occasions. BY direction Of
the President his private secretary, Mr..
Cortelyou, sent personal letter to Major
Sylvester corr;2l!lccc-,;.;.s MIN :,Ie- eoS-
ceilent results attained, and expressing
the pleasure that the President had taken
in seeing the care and thoroughness with
which every detail of the work was car
ried out.
Under the date of March 5, Gen. H. V.
Boynton wrote: I want to congratu-
late you over the most complete and sat
isfactory police arrangements that have
ever blessed the work of an Inaugural
ton. l have heard nothing but the high
est praise, which such success merits"
u. NJ Ransdell, the Sergeant-at-Arms
of the United States Senate, sent the fol-
lowing message: Allow me to say that
j feel under very deep obligations TO you
for your courtesy and cooperation with
me in preserving the orderly conditions
that prevailed here on that day. The Of
fcers from your force were most eff
cient. gentlemanly, and greatly aided in
bringing about the satisfactory result
The following letter was received from
Col. Theodore A. Bingham, in charge OF
public buildings and grounds: Il want to
send you an expression OF my highest
admiration for and hearJiest congratula-
tions upon your work in connection with
the inaugural ceremonies just completed.
So far as ! saw It was simply perfect and
not only were your arrangements perfect,
but they were carried out, which is still
more rare and difficult of attainment.
Along the Avenue, both going to the
Capitol and returning 1 do not think
that there was yellow dog that got
across the street. Whenever / wanted
the assistance OF your department, ] al
ways found them easy to find, polite, will
ing, energetic, and successful, and as all
of this must have originated with you,
however good your assistants might have
been, think that yoC should have such
satisfaction as is derived from knowing
that your work is most highly appre-
GATED.
Owing 10 the great number of persons
who visited the National Museum while
the crowds were in the city attending the
Inauguration, IT was found necessary 10
detail six extra policemen at that place.
In a letter stating that the extra men
We're no longer necessary, j. +. Wat
kins, the superintendent OF the building.
took occasion 10 say: In behalf Of the
officers Of the National Museum / wish
TO thank you for your courtesy in placing
these men at my disposal. l wish TO con-
graduate you upon the efficient service rem
dered by the Police Department OF Wash
ington during this trying Inaugural pc
Rod"
Probably the most difficult work assign
ed 10 the police was the handling Of the
surging crowds that for three DAYS
swarmed in and out Of the several depots
with almost maddening haste. That their
work was satisfactorily done is evidenced
by the following from Joseph Crawford
the general agent in this city Of the Penn
sylyania Railroad Company:
1T gives me great pleasure 10 extend 10