New-York tribune., 1901-01-12
POLICE IN A FERMENT.
ENCITED OVER THE BILL NOW
PENDING AT ALBANY-MEN
TALKED OF FOR CHIEF
WILD RUMORS AFLOAT
WILD RUMORS AFLOAT.

The police of this city are in a ferment of ex-
citement over the Police bill now pending
at Albany. Members of the Police Department
from the highest officials to the patrolmen on
post were talking about the bill yesterday. and
there was evidence Of abounding expectancy and
surmise. Rumors, many of which were absurd
were flying thick and fast. They related to the
constttutionality of the new bill. to the fate of
Chief Devery and of the other officials to
be legislated out of office by the bill, 70 the
action of the Mayor when the bill has been
passed by the Legislature and to the choice of
the new Commissioner of Police If the bill be-
comes a law. Police officials large and small
seemed to be imbued with the idea that the
Police Commissioner, who will have all the
powers now held by the Police Board and the
Chief of Police for the enforcement Of the law
and the discipline of the force. will be "the
biggest official in the whole city"
Some of the policemen said yesterday that
they thought there should be amendment to
the bill, changing the title of the police head
from Commissioner to Gear" 1t evil
dent from the talk of policemen who have not
risen from the ranks that they look with fear
and trembling for the coming of absolute
ruler of the force who will serve out swift JUS
tice to those who shirk duty who hold easy
places by favor of political friends.
1t was evident yesterday from the talk Of
some police officials that they believe the new
bill will be unconstitutional If 1t is permitted
to retain the provision for the summary
movaI of the Commissioner by the Governor
without charges. To permit the summary re-
novel by the Mayor and removal by the Gov
ernor on charges, they said, would be constitu-
tional.
Reports that Chief Devery is to be retired on
a pension before the new bill can become law
if it is passed. and that Deputy Chief McLaugh-
lin Chief retirement
heard at Police Headquarters yesterday. 1t
is the opinion of many officials that Devery
cannot be retired on a pension If he Is kept in
office until the law to abolish his office goes
into effect. He is in a peculiar position. mas
much as he is not eligible for retirement on his
own application by reason of age or length Of
service.
There are many rumors in police and political
circles as to the action of Mayor Van Wyck
when the Police bill is passed. Many of the
politicians have said that they believe the Mayor
will veto the bill, declaring that it is unconsti-
tutionaI. If the bill becomes law, however.
he will be expected TO appoint some good
Democrat" The names of Police Commissioner
Sexton. President York of the Police Board.
Commissioner James j. Martin. Lewis Nixon.
the head of the Tammany Committee on Vice.
and others have been mentioned recently by
the politicians. The Mayor himself would not
say word about the bin what he would do
If the bill becomes a law.
1t reported yesterday that several Demo-
Gratis who are or have been influential in Tam
many Hall have been collecting letters advo-
eating the appointment OF Thomas Byrnes the
ex-C Chief of Police, to the office OF Commissioner.
The Byrnes boomers were said TO be preparing
to send a number OF testimonials to Richard
Croker, in England. De Lancey Nicon, who was
mentioned as of the movers said yesterday
to- Tribune reporter that he had nothing what
ever 10 do with the movement 10 get Byrnes
back into the Police Department
There was some gossip among local Democrats
that John Fox. president OF the Democratic Club.
would be the Police Commissioner. Mr.. Fox
some time ago severely criticised Chief Devery
and the system of police operation. 1t was said
yesterday that Croker had decided that Tam
many could not go into the coming municipal
campaign carrying the dead weight OF such lead
ers as Engel, Nagle and Sullivan. and that he
recalled that defeat came TO the organization
once owing to revelations concerning the pecul-
lar system fostered by these men. 1t is said to
be his desire to place the organization in bet
ter light, and that for this reason he Will weed
out some Of these leaders a sop TO public
opinion, and in the appointment OF a Police
Commissioner will have some one named whose
record is good.