New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
NOT DONE TO GUST DEVERY.
GOVERNOR ODELL SAYS THE POLICE
LAW is TO PLACE RESPONSIBILITY.

Albany Feb. "a (SpeciaD.-Governor Odeli be-
leves that the Legislature acted in the interest
OF the State when it passed the act, which he
subsequently signed. establishing a single head
ed Police Department for New-York City.
Those critics of the act who point out that
Devery has been appointed the deputy of the
Police Commissioner" he said tonight at the
Executive Mansion. ARE not apparently aware
that the main purpose of the act was not to oust
Devery, but to centre responsibility Of police ad-
ministration in New-York. For many years
there had, been divided responsibility, and the
results were not fortunate. Now, by this act
one political party must bear the responsibility
for the character of work done by the Police
Department. l think that is beneficial legsla-
tion. Devery policeman before and he is
policeman now; but one clearly perceive
who is responsible for that appointment. and
there will be dispute about it,
&C vernon" said The Tribune correspondent.
have YOU any thought of depriving Police
Commissioner Murphy OF his Office because Of
his appointment of Devery?"
Il have no. answered the Governor frankly,
for there is at present for Mr..
Murphys removal. The nature of his admins
tration of the Police Department is not yet dis
closed. The law just passed puts the response
bility for the rule of the police Of Newly ork
upon him. and the people of the State will soon
be able TO judge whether he is worthy or praise
blame
Concerning legislation. r. there any thought
of passing a State police bill?"
Not that I am aware of, and do not believe
there will be any legislation in relation TO
the Police Department OF NewYork for some
time 10 come. Some OF the newspa pers to-day
seem TO think that the conference OF yesterday
in New-York chiefly about the police stua-
tion there. AS a matter of fact, little was said
about it, for any Republican who had anything
TO do with that legislation knows that the Police
bill was passed to put the burden of police ad-
minstration there in place, and that has
been accomplished. We afford to wait now
ard see what this centring OF responsibility will
effect. At least the public will understand that
the city administration controls the Police De-
partment. and If a great opportunity 10 give
the city an excellent police administration has
not been seized they will know who 1t is that
blundered. II the new police administration
should clearly be an evil one, harmful to New
York City and harmful to the State. shall not
hesitate TO do my duty
1t is obvious that Governor Odel does not
intend TO remove Mayor Van Wyck. to remove
Police Commissioner Murphy. OF TO favor legis-
lation at present amending the single headed
police act. The new system OF giving the
authorities OF New-York absolute control OF its
Police Department Is TO have fair trial This
is not to say that legislation regarding the
Police Department is wholly impossible at this
session OF the Legislature. The administration
OF the Police Department might become ntoier-
ably bad In that case legislation would surely
follow. and II is pretty evident II might be pre-
ceded by action by Governor Odell. The only
mistake the Republican leaders here think they
may have made in the single headed police act
is that they did not provide that Mayor Van
WyCk should appoint the deputies of the Police
Commissioner well as the Police Commits
sioner himself. In this case direct RESPONSE
oty for the appointment of William s. Devery
Deputy Police Commissioner would come
home 10 Mayor Van Wyck.