Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-23
POLICE FIGHT IN NEW YORK.
Mayor Van wyck Turns Tables on Coy Odell-DeyerY Still in Office.

1 Gov zOdeil-Deyery Still in Office. Albany, Feb 23.-"What will Gov ! ernor Odell do now?'' was the uniyer- sal question of the politicians when they heard that Mayor Van Wyck had appointed his new police commission CT and that Devery had been made the first deputy.
 The governor was besought by an anxious throng of inquircrs. He did not appear to be at all disconcerted by the Iammany police appointments, and to all inquiries as to what he would do merely replied: "Why, nothing, at present.
 The governor signed the police bill shortly before Il o'clock yesterday Mayor Van Wyck, therefore, could not nave received certified copy of the bill with the governors signature be- fore announcing Commissioner Mur- phys appointment. In fact, the news ot the mayors precipitate action was a surprise to the Albany contingent. as they hardly had expected the appoint ment would be made until to-day.
 No official report that the police bill had become a law was made to the mayor yesterday. so far as could be learned.
 The governor gave out no memoran- dunn, but said merely before he went to luncheon that he had signed the bill
 He had intended to refute the may or's 'constitutionaf' objections, but had decided finally that enough had been said on that point
 One of the significant developments of the day in regard to the question of the new police laws constitutionality is the fact that Devery, by accepting the position of deputy commissioner. has waived his title to Chief of, police under the old system, and cannot be retired now on a pension, even if he | should so desire.
 There are republicans who say that only the expected happened in Dey- ery'S new distinction. Louis r. Payn l is one of these.
 Tt looks as if the republicans had given to Tammany q police bill that should delight the Tigers heart" he | said: but perhaps it is not all over vet
 What do you think of Devery's ap- pointment as deputy?' Governor Odell was asked.
 T prefer not to offer any opinion on | the subject at present. was all the reply he would make.
 
 that Tammany has done just what the ! republican leaders wanted done in aD- pointing Devery, and that this may be taken up now as q good excuse for r1- porting the state constabulary bill. which is in ona of the committees of the senate, and pressing it to final pas sage. Governor Odell, however, would not give any countenance to these rr1r morS last night. As regards the governors power of removal. as prescribed in the new po- lice law, he can remove only the po- lice commissioner.
 Deyery, in his new position as depu- ty, is safe beyond the governors pow CT. More than that. hiding as he may behind the police commissioner, and avoiding all responsibility, he may prove to be a hard case even for the district attorney or the courts to reach.
 The governor shows plainly that he is not pleased with the situation. but he will not act hastily. Tamlnany however. may do well to remember that he has the power to remove the mayor as well as to remove the may or'S creature. the police commissioner ]
 It is in election matters that the re- publicans have feared Devery. and it !
 
 shows Tammany's purpose to have i him practically in charge of the may orally election this year. The governor has absolute power of i removal over Commissioner Murphy. ! He can remove him tomorrow if he wishes. but the mayor then could ap- point Sexton, Lantry or other Tamma- ny district leaders until the governor lrad removed them al1 Devery meanwhile can sit and l chuckle over his safe. snug berth. The new police law is chapter 33 of !. the laws of 1901. It abolishes the bi- partisan board of four police commits sioners. the positions of chief of police 1 and treasurer of the board, and trans | fers from the police commission to the ! comptroller the supervision and care of all police finances. The police pen ! sion fund also is transferred to the {. comptroller's department. The finance department of the city hereafter will . pay all the policemen through the of | flee of the city paymasrer. Comptrol- l Ter Coler, however. will obtain good i batch of patronage in clerks and book | keepers to conduct the pcHce finances. 1 The comptroller has only five days in | which to organize this new bureau.
  possesses all the powers formerly vest ed in the chief of police, has term of five years, if he is not removed with in that time, and yearly salary of $7,5OO. Each of the two deputies has salary of $4,0OO, so Devcry in his new position will receive $1 GOO more a year than if he had been retired on q pen sion of $3,OOO, cne-half of his former salary as chief of police.
 The enactment of the new police law, however, and Tammany's deLance of the governor. have put an end, it is believed. to all deals between re- publican and Tammany leaders, as un- der the old bipartisan system. There | can be no further division of responsi- bility in the regulation of police con 
 It is first the police commissioner, then the mayor and then the governor, as the court of last resort, for police decency and efficiency.
 TTMETv T0DTrc