New-York tribune., 1901-01-13
ARMY HEAD FOR POLICE.
BISHOP POTTER FAVORS MILITARY
DISCIPLINE.
TAMMANY IN FOR A HARD FIGHT OVER
THE NEW CoMMIssIoNERsHIP-c
ROLL STANDS BY SEXTON.

ROLL STANDS BY SEXTON
Discussion as to the right man to be appointed
by the Mayor to the office Of Police Commits
sioner when the Police bin now pending at AL
bany becomes a law was continued yesterday
in and out Of the Police Department Bishop
Potter expressed the opinion that the head of
the Police Department should be a man with
military training. The Bishop said in response
70 an inquiry that he thought the plan Of plac-
ing an Army officer at the head of the force
was to be commended. The plan had worked
well in London. he said. the Chief of Police of
London being officer of high position
IF an Army officer in active service could
not be obtained for the position of Police Com
missioner" the Bishop said "a retired officer of
large experience, with a good record and in good
health. would meet the requirements. Such a
man, for instance General Park. who died a
few days ago in Washington. He should be a
man in social sympathy with the better element
in the community. Military discipline would
undoubtedly be a good thing for the Depart
ment"
Tammany is in a ferment about the coming
appointment. There are half dozen candidates
working hard for the place and half a dozen
more who have hopes. John B. Sexton. one Of
the present Police Commissioners, is making an
aggressive fight. He is backed by John F. Car
roll. Carroll is the deputy leader of the organi-
cation and in charge while Croker is away. He
is also the close personal political and business
associate Of Mayor Van wyck. 1t is understood
that he has declared that Sexton is his candi-
date first last and all the time. ard he will
stand by him. On the other hand. Carroll does
not swing wide stroke as he used TO, and
John Whalen is looked upon in the organiza-
ton as the closest man to Croker and the real
deputy leader Of the organization. Whalen is
emphatIcGlly against Sexton, and his motto is
any cne to beat Sexton. II is said that Croker
has not yet given any indication Of what he in
tends TO do, and the men for and against Sexton
are lined up for bitter fight
Lewis Nixon is an aggressive candidate, and
many think that he will be picked out by Gro
ker Mr.. Nixon is head of the purity COM
rnittee appointed by Tammany Hall. 1t is be-
lieved that Croker put him at the head Of that
committee simply to allow him 10 make repu-
tation and get in line for the nomination for
Mayor this fall Mr.. Nixon thinks that at the
head of the Police Department he would have
a chance TO remedy existing evils and make
himself the logical candidate for Mayor. His
claims being urged strongly. Tammany is
torn up badly by the fights started over this
Office, and il may be that the final selection will
create enough bitter feeling to precipitate
bolt on the part of one or more defeated can
didates. The so-called gambling combine" or
the leaders in the organization who are in
profted greatly from this system Of blackmail.
are almost unit for some man like Sexton,
Scannell or James ]. Martin John Fox, Lewis
Nixon and others are talked of by the better
element in the organization, who want the
listing system done away with. The support OF
ex-Chef Byrnes is said TO be largely sentiment
tai and few think that he will get the place.
There was a renewed report at Police Head
quarters yesterday that Chief of Police Devery
was TO be retired soon. One report that the
Chief was TO be retired tomorrow. The report
was not believed, apparently. by high officials
OF the Department. Devery refused TO talk on
the subject. President York OF the Police
Board declined to say anything at all regarding
Devery. Another Commissioner said he did not
think Devery could be retired at present It is
believed by some Of the officials in the Depart
ment that President York wants to keep Devery
in Office until he is legislated out by the new
police law. Then Devery will not receive a
pension II is admitted that Devery is not
eligible for retirement his application
and the only way he could receive a pension
would be by the unanimous vote Of the Commits
sioners or by The votes of three Commissioners
and the Mayor
It is expected that Devery will be in a bad
situation when he is called to the witness chair
in the Herlihy trial tomorrow and asked If he
was requested by Herlihy to issue warrants for
the forcible entry OF some places in Herlihy's
precinct If he admits that he informed by
Herlihy OF the existence of certain Illegal places
and did not give warrants there will be a cause
for proceeding against DeVery himself while If
he says the Captain never gave information 10
require the warrants the fate Of Herlihy will
be sealed