New-York tribune., 1901-04-12

QUEER POLICE PROMOTIONS
EX-CONNISSIONER SEXTON MAKES A
FRANK CONFESSION on THE
WITNESS STAND.

Ex-Polce Commissioner John B. Sexton made
charmingy frank confession OF the extent to which
politics was allowed to influence promotions in the
department under the last Police Board. He was
a witness the investigation begun by the State
Civil Service Commission into recent police promo
tions. Commissioners William NJ. Collier, Cuthbert
w. Pound and John E. Kraft were present. The
hearing is based on charges brought by the Civil
Service Reform Association. which was represented
by 6. H. Ordway, COUNSEL George McAneny, secre-
tary, and E. H. Goodwin, assistant secretary. The
charges relate to the promotions which were made
to captainces by the old Police Board on Decem-
ber q last.
The charges are supported by affidavits of Ser
geant J. F. Nally and Captain ]. T. Stevenson.
Sergeant Nally says his past record from Cap
tain Stephenson his comma nding officer, which was
made excellent" in every particular, was
changed by the Police Board to poor" in making
the appointments and he thus deprived OF a
merited advancement.
Mr.. Ordway said that the examination would
hinge on what became of the white blanks sent by
the Municipal Civil Service Commission to be filled
in with the records of the candidates for promo
tion and returned. These. he said, should have
been the captains TO be filled in The
charges are based on the understanding that these
blanks were the captains, but on their re-
turn to Police Headquarters were suppressed the
Police itself filling out white blanks and re-
turning them TO the Municipal Civil Service COM
mission. William Delamater. first deputy clerk AT
about the report Of the Chief Of Police on the
efficiency Of the various candidates on the list for
promotion. He said he did not know where IT was
He thought they were the Municipal civil
Service Commission.
Would you be surprised to learn that they are
with the records OF the commission? asked
Mr. Ordway.
It's hardly fair suppose that would be sur
prised at anything said the witness laughing
Mr.. Ordway pressed Mr.. Delemater further with
regard TO the blanks which We're to be filled in by
the captains with he records of the candidates for
promotion but the witness did not recoect having
seen them.
Colonel William II. kipp. chief clerk of the Po-
lice Department. asked about the blanks ana
said that he had transmitted them 10 the MunlcpdI
Civil Service Commission.
Frederick G. ireland. examiner for the Mu-
nicipa Civil Service Commission. swore that after
he had sent TO the Police Department set OF
white blanks some one appeared from headquarters
and asked another set. saying that the first set
had been mislaid or destroyed. These were tur-
nished.
Ex-Commissioner York testified: There is no
rule of the department requiring officer to OBJ
tain the consent of his superiors before taking an
examination
There may be rule that effect returned
Mr.. Ordway. but il is well understood that any
who tries any other course is going TO have
pretty hard time of it"
Captain William Stephenson was asked if he had
made a white blank for Sergeant Nally. He
said he had. and that he had given Nally a record
Of excellent"
Ex-Commissoner John B. Sexton asked
how the commissioners divided the
the list for captains. The witness said they had
Flood had been nominated Mr. Sexton said he had
been recommended by East Side clergyman"
finally "and l suppose by some politicians"
You made no bones about the political char
acter of your appointments. did YOU" inquired
Commissioner Pound.
NO, sir
An adjournment was taken uatr 10 o'clock this
morning