Evening star., 1901-06-01
WARMLY WELCOMED
Major Sylvester Returns From His
Visit to New York.
BUREAU OF CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION
1t viii Be Transferred From
Chicago to Washington.
A VELY CON T E S T

Major Richard Sylvester, chief of police,
whose election to the presidency of the
Association of Police Chiefs of the United
States and Canada was published in yes
terday's Star, returned to the city this
morning. A handsome floral tribute in the
shape of an immense basket of roses was
found his desk when he reached the
office, sent by Lieut. Kenny and the officers
of the eighth precinct In conversation
with a Star reporter he said his trip to
New York had been an extremely pleasant
one The hospitality Of the New York
chief. he said, was something great. There
was no friction in the convention, he said.
Several of his friends had made a canvass
for him. in which he had taken no part.
Major Sylvester said his selection was
made because the chiefs deemed 1t a good
move in the interests of the efforts to have
Congress establish permanent bureau OF
criminal identification. While definite
action relating to the transfer of the bu-
reau from Chicago to Washington was
taken Major Sylvester said the transfer
would undoubtedly be made. This would
be done in order that upon the assembling
of Congress the members might nave an
opportunity to see what was being accom-
pliShed. With this object lesson before
them, Major Sylvester, as well as the other
chiefs, thinks a liberal appropriation may
be obtained All day Major Sylvester has
been receiving congratulations upon his
election. The fact that he beat Chief
Devery of New York. his friends say.
shows how extremely popular he is, not
only in this city, but all over the country.
The New York View of 1t.
Today's New York Herald prints the pro-
ceedings of the convention and says:
William S. Devery. former chief Of police
of this city. was defeated for the presidency
of the Association of Police Chiefs of the
United States and Canada by Major Syl-
vester of Washington. Out of 101 votes
cast the successful candidate had hfty-one,
bare majority. The assertion was made.
and without contradiction. that the defeat
of the former chief was encompassed by
George w. McCluSkey, whose vote in the
convention is believed to have been given to
Major Sylvester. Captain McCluskey was
long chief of the detective bureau and his
transfer from headquarters to the grand
central station was one of the last acts of
Chief Devery.
influence that could be exerted was brought
to bear in favor of William S. Devery, the
deputy commissioner of police of this city
was defeated for the presidency of the
police chiefs of the United States and
Canada. Major Richard Sylvester of Wash
ingtOn was elected by the narrow majority
of one vote out of 101 cast
1t is probable. in fact, it was stated posi-
lively, that the one vote that meant defeat
to New GOrk'S former chief cast by
Capt George w. Mccluskey. former chief
of the detective bureau whose humiliation
was one Of the last acts of Chief Devery
before he was leglSlated out of office.
Kecnly Contested.
Seldom is an election so keenIy cont este ed
as was that for the presidency of the police
chiefs association. When the first session
of the annual convention was called to
understood that Major Sylvester would be
chosen president without opposition. But
Devery and his friends had other plans.
They wanted to offset recent attacks ty
obtaining an Endorsement from the police Cf
the entire country.
Their campaign was at first secret then
open, and always vigorous. They plea led
bartered and threatened, and they made
constant headway until they felt assured
of success. The visitors were wined and
they were dned to repletion, and then they
were asked not to forget the hospit ality
that had been shOwered upon them.
To those willing to listen 1t was explained
that malicious attacks had been made upon
Devery. They were told that these attacks
were not unlike those made upon all police
men. An orator was primed, and at the an
nual police feast re made forensic de-
fense Of the policeman. at all times por-
traying Devery IS the most abused of men.
But at the last moment the campaign
failed. Major SyiveSters friends were loyal
and he won. One mistake just before the
ballot was taken resulted in Philip Deitsch
Of Cincinnati practically admitting that he
had New York's former chief in mind
when he denounced the policemen that dis
grace themselves, their department and the
uniform they wear by demanding pay for
protection
Features of the Election.
Almost the first business of the conven-
tion yesterday was the election of officers
Chief Quirk Of Philadelphia placed Major
Sylvester in nomination.. referring to his
abilities and to the fact that he has power
to bring about much national legislation
that is needed. Chief Wiley Williams Of
Columbus, Ga, who brought Commissioner
Devery present of $500 In confederate
money, placed his friend before the con-
Iention candidate.
Then uprose man of commanding mien
who attempted to take the convention by
storm. 1t was Chief Kiely of ST. Louis
Il am chief of what is the third police
department in size in this country" he
said. II second the nomination Of that
peerless police officer, w. S. Devery." Chief
Kiely went on to say that no crooked work
was wanted, and demanded a viva voce
vote rail- call.
He was halted by President Leslie, who
Hill tHdl lHc convention was
above suspicion and that the voting must
be done in the regular way. President Les
lie said that he resented the imputation
that crooked work might be attempted, and
Chief K!ely make abject apology.
Chief Cassidy of Elmira seconded the
nomination of Major Sylvester, decrying
the effort to inject politics into the CON
vention.
Then Chief Hill Of Chattanooga created
a sensation and placed Commissioner Dev-
cry in a position of great embarrassment
Il had intended voting for Major Sylves-
ter he said, but l have noticed that
Chief Deitsch's paper has been construed
an attack upon Devery. Unless l hear
a disavowal from Chief Deitsch will vote
for Devery."
For full minute after Chief Hill ceased
speaking the convention was so quiet that
the tension became embarrassing. Deputy
Commissioner Devery was chewing vi
ciously at an unlighted cigar. Chief Deitsch
smiled grimly and refused to disavow. FL
nally the silence was broken by President
Leslie, who appointed tellers.
FIREPROOF BUILDING.
Tn